Tires - when to replace?

Status
Not open for further replies.

InflatableBuddha

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2007
7,416
1
0
I have a set of Goodyear Eagle HP 195/60R15 all season tires on my car (1992 Accord EX-R sedan).

The manufacture date is June 2002, so they're 7 years old. However, looking through my records, I have no idea when they were installed (I'm the 3rd owner of this vehicle) - they may not have been installed until a year or two after being manufactured.

There is still a fair bit of tread left (well above the top of the triangular arrows on the sidewall which I assume are the wear indicators), but I'm wondering how much life is left on them. The traction and ride are still good.

I have read that after 7-10 years, tires have aged enough that they should be replaced regardless of how much tread is left. Is this true? Are there visual signs of ageing I should look for?

If I can safely get another year or two out of these tires, I'll do that, as I don't drive the car a lot. However, I don't want to risk a blowout either. If they're unsafe, I'll replace them.

Thoughts?
 

Corn

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 1999
6,389
29
91
A tire begins to degrade as soon as its manufactured, not installed. I wouldn't trust a 7 year old tire on my car.
 

helpme

Diamond Member
Feb 6, 2000
3,090
0
0
Originally posted by: InflatableBuddha
I have a set of Goodyear Eagle HP 195/60R15 all season tires on my car (1992 Accord EX-R sedan).

The manufacture date is June 2002, so they're 7 years old. However, looking through my records, I have no idea when they were installed (I'm the 3rd owner of this vehicle) - they may not have been installed until a year or two after being manufactured.

There is still a fair bit of tread left (well above the top of the triangular arrows on the sidewall which I assume are the wear indicators), but I'm wondering how much life is left on them. The traction and ride are still good.

I have read that after 7-10 years, tires have aged enough that they should be replaced regardless of how much tread is left. Is this true? Are there visual signs of ageing I should look for?

If I can safely get another year or two out of these tires, I'll do that, as I don't drive the car a lot. However, I don't want to risk a blowout either. If they're unsafe, I'll replace them.

Thoughts?


The wear indicators are bars that are molded in between the tread.

http://www.super-cheap-auto-in.../2009/03/wear_bars.gif
 

CRXican

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2004
9,062
1
0
2002, damn

I'm ready to get rid of my 2006 tires, trying to burn through them
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Are they cracking? If you have enough tread left and they're not dry rotting, I would think they're fine.
 

big man

Member
Mar 23, 2009
50
0
0

I have read that after 7-10 years, tires have aged enough that they should be replaced regardless of how much tread is left.
Thoughts?



The wear bars are inbetween the deep tread sections on your tire. when these are even with the rest of your tread it's time to replace the tire.


Just visually inspect the tire if there are no cracks or peeling layers you should be fine, especially for occasional daily driving. There are people that find 20-30 year old nos tires for their vintage cars and race them at track events so it's really no big deal as long as you use common sense.

 

Sukhoi

Elite Member
Dec 5, 1999
15,341
102
106
Make sure you check the insides too. When I bought my used car the tires looked great on the outside, but when I did my first oil change I found out the inboard side was completely separating on both front tires. The rears weren't quite as bad but still needed replacing.
 

PlasmaBomb

Lifer
Nov 19, 2004
11,636
2
81
RoSPA recommends that worn tyres are replaced with an equivalent new unit well before the legal minimum tread limit of 1.6mm is reached - ideally as soon as they reach 3mm.

Tyres that have been in storage should not be placed into use if they are over 6 years old, from their date of manufacture. When a tyre has been in use, the effects of aging are lessened to a degree, but such tyres should be replaced after 10 years.

http://www.rospa.com/roadsafet...otorvehicles/tyres.htm
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
Recently there seems to be more awareness of dry rot for tires. However, it may have swung too far one way, especially when touted by tire manufactuers/sellers (i.e. they stand to gain by having you replace them). Personally I would use tires that old until they were worn down, but then I haven't looked into this issue much.
 

InflatableBuddha

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2007
7,416
1
0

InflatableBuddha

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2007
7,416
1
0
Sounds like I should be ok for a couple more years as long as they don't start cracking and rotting.

Thanks for the replies everyone.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,512
22
81
Originally posted by: big man
There are people that find 20-30 year old nos tires for their vintage cars and race them at track events so it's really no big deal as long as you use common sense.

I do not know of a single vintage racing club in which a tech inspector would allow a vehicle with 20 year old tires onto the track. People who race their vintage cars use reproduction tires, not original tires. Companies like Goodyear and Hoosier manufacture small batches of brand new "vintage racing tires" every year for use by people who engage in vintage racing.

In concours events, yes, many cars do use new old stock tires from the correct period and such tires are adequate for sedate "parade" drives, but no racing organization is going to allow 20 year old tires onto the track for actual racing.

To the OP: No, you're not risking a blowout. Wet traction will be significantly less than when the tires were new, but provided you are not driving aggressively you should be fine.

ZV
 

InflatableBuddha

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2007
7,416
1
0
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: big man
There are people that find 20-30 year old nos tires for their vintage cars and race them at track events so it's really no big deal as long as you use common sense.

I do not know of a single vintage racing club in which a tech inspector would allow a vehicle with 20 year old tires onto the track. People who race their vintage cars use reproduction tires, not original tires. Companies like Goodyear and Hoosier manufacture small batches of brand new "vintage racing tires" every year for use by people who engage in vintage racing.

In concours events, yes, many cars do use new old stock tires from the correct period and such tires are adequate for sedate "parade" drives, but no racing organization is going to allow 20 year old tires onto the track for actual racing.

To the OP: No, you're not risking a blowout. Wet traction will be significantly less than when the tires were new, but provided you are not driving aggressively you should be fine.

ZV

Thanks ZV.
 

exdeath

Lifer
Jan 29, 2004
13,679
10
81
Yup, old tires are fine for normal point A to point B driving as long as there is some tread, no metal sticking out, and they don't have flat spots from sitting that would cause instability at highway speed.

Dry rotting and cracking on the outside surface is normal, but it's fine as long as there is no metal sticking out or serious gashes or lumps anywhere.

Just increase your following distance and keep an eye on them for signs of accelerated wear or damage if you are concerned.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.