time to replace tires?

[rh71]

My Toyo Proxes STII tires are showing little hairline cracks in the tread, but not the sidewall. They have 39k miles on them but the tread life is still 7/32 remaining which is remarkable imo. They are also about 5 years old now. Right now I'm about to have them break the bead to replace the TPMS in all 4 tires, but they're also suggesting new tires because of that dry rot and age.

Because of my limited driving (39k in 5 years), I'm thinking I can save $1k at this time by just keeping the same tires, but I'll be paying $160 to swap the TPMS in regardless. What would you do?

Dry rot in the tread rather than sidewall just as dangerous? It looks like this, but longer lines. http://i.imgur.com/AHUHhip.jpg

 

[NutBucket]

That's not bad. If you can live without TPMS just leave it alone for another year or two.

Is your car garaged? I only asked as I made my dad get new tires this year. 7 years old, parked outside and cracked FAR worse than yours. Luckily he doesn't drive his truck on the freeway much.

 

[rh71]

No garage. Pic of my actual tire... all 4 are similar:

 

[NutBucket]

To me that looks fine but:

a.) not a professional

b.) looks can be deceiving

c.) no guarantee of actual tire condition by me

 

[Scarpozzi]

What I know about tires is this:

Depending on the hardness ratings (grip vs longevity), the rubber is going to be more likely to crack and separate with variations of heat and cold, exposure to UV light, etc... Basically, the rubber breaks down. Surface cracks are far less concern than if the tread starts to separate from the core or if the tire begins to get bulges from weak spots.

I'd take a little extra time and insist that the tires are visually inspected when you get them rotated from here on out. Know they have surface cracks, but don't worry much unless other damage is noted by the visual inspection....like bulges, or weak spots.

Monitor tire pressure and make sure you don't have low pressure on any of the tires as that's typically what causes blowouts...

I'm not as much of an expert as I have bought more tires than I care to disclose. I've had to replace many of them due to damage back in the 90s thanks to inferior manufacturing, so I've seen tires that bulge and don't hold balance.

 

[desy]

I tell my Mech to ignore TPMS and I will use the TP gauge I have in the box to make sure alls OK
No legal requirement it has to be functional.

Cause I'm cheap I'd leave the tires too, but I usually wear mine out before they age out so I don't know

 

[LTC8K6]

TPMS is typically an integral part of the stability system on modern cars. TPMS fault means several other systems are also disabled.

Several states will fail the inspection with the TPMS light illuminated.

 

[Muadib]

I see nothing wrong with the tire in the pic. My tires have many more cracks in them, and I don't have 30k on them yet. I'm with you, and would fix the TPMS.

 

[cbrsurfr]

With sidewall cracking I would replace for sure. I wouldn't want to be stuck on the side of a road or have a high speed blowout. Of course mine run out of tread long before that happens. :hmm:

 

[Muadib]

With sidewall cracking I would replace for sure. I wouldn't want to be stuck on the side of a road or have a high speed blowout. Of course mine run out of tread long before that happens. :hmm:

The sidewall has no cracks

 

[cbrsurfr]

The sidewall has no cracks

Are we looking at the same pic?

 

[cabri]

Why are the TPMS needing to be replaced?

 

[rh71]

Why are the TPMS needing to be replaced?

says TPM malfunction (not low air pressure) and it's been 5+ years since they were new. Batteries are said to not last more than 10 years. Haven't verified if it really is a battery issue, but most likely.

 

[Muadib]

Are we looking at the same pic?

Heh, I think you need to read the first post again.

 

[cabri]

says TPM malfunction (not low air pressure) and it's been 5+ years since they were new. Batteries are said to not last more than 10 years. Haven't verified if it really is a battery issue, but most likely.

If $140 includes the cost of the TPMS themselves, that is a reasonable price.

TPMS from Amazon for my Jeep were $30 each; had to replace one due to destruction from flat tire and a second due to someone over torqueing.