10 year old tires

[old farmer]

I put my winter tires on 2 weeks ago, then realized they are 10 years old. They look great, still lots of tread, no cracks or other signs of problems, and they are stored in the garage and covered up so they don't get sunlight on them.
But, 10 years I wonder if I should be using them.
What do you think?

 

[RISUPERCREWMAN]

Ten years is old but they sound like they are doing ok?

 

[eljefino]

Test em on snow. If you have more traction than the rest of traffic that're probably on all seasons you know your answer.

I've had rental cars on low friction tires on snow and assumed the snow was particularly greasy. No, not the weather.

 

[Nissan101]

Maybe its just me but i wont use them, rubber tends to deteriorate over time, and plus over that period of time the rubber may have gotten "hard"

 

[Lolvoguy]

Meh, I'd have no problem using them.

I'd run them a bit harder just to wear away any hardened rubber and expose the soft, supple rubber that's under a few layers of the old stuff.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Nissan101
Maybe its just me but i wont use them, rubber tends to deteriorate over time, and plus over that period of time the rubber may have gotten "hard"

Same here. In my experience, the soft winter rubber hardens over time and no longer does the job (as well) in snow, even if you still have plenty of tread.

But as eljefino stated, try them in snow and see how they do.

In general, it is recommended to ditch tires after 10 years though.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
I'd run them a bit harder just to wear away any hardened rubber and expose the soft, supple rubber that's under a few layers of the old stuff.

Not quite sure it works this way, but maybe some tire expert will confirm/deny.

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
I'd run them a bit harder just to wear away any hardened rubber and expose the soft, supple rubber that's under a few layers of the old stuff.

Not quite sure it works this way, but maybe some tire expert will confirm/deny.


Meh, they are old tires, if anything it's worth a try

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Test em on snow. If you have more traction than the rest of traffic that're probably on all seasons you know your answer.

I've had rental cars on low friction tires on snow and assumed the snow was particularly greasy. No, not the weather.

What's worse than all seasons in the snow? Touring tires.

Those things are outright dangerous!

 

[Quest]

I had Firestone winterfire snow tires (a full set) hardened on me stored 3 yrs in ideal environment (storage shed, each individually wrapped in big garbage bag, shed temp regulated).

I wouldn't trust snow tires that are 10 yrs old. By the time you realise your snow rubber too hard (usually when you are in need of emergency maneouvre or panic braking in front of iced 4 way stop, etc.) it would be too late.

avg snow tires are cheaper in our area than regular all-seasons. For that I don't see the point of simply using some 10 yrs old snows(which deemed questionable conditions).

Q.

 

[Dyusik]

Back in 08 I ran Desert Duelers on my Jeep, those things looked like they were from the 80's. The rust on the rims looked like that too, I have no idea when Bridgestone went to Duelers. With some cracks and chips from hardening, and rust fusing into the rubber, the 60 dollar set of wheels was run hard on and off road, towing about 1200lb on snow and ice in the mountains. I even had the thing airborne, drifted gravel roads at 50 mph, and the tires were amazing. I had comparable traction with the 235/75/15 tothe 30/9.5's.
I ended up puncturing the sidewall with a branch stub when was squeezing past a log. Wish I could find em in a 35/12.5

They looked like this

 

[IndyIan]

How much tread depth left? For a snow tire like an old goodyear Nordic, they never were any good on wet pavement or ice, but the tread design worked great on snow. They still will work better than an all season in snow even when old and hardened up a bit, but they won't be any better than an all season on ice.
In your area I assume you get the odd big snowfall and spend the rest of the time driving on clear pavement? Older car? I'd be tempted to just run them and be careful when its icy out.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Dyusik
Back in 08 I ran Desert Duelers on my Jeep, those things looked like they were from the 80's. The rust on the rims looked like that too, I have no idea when Bridgestone went to Duelers. With some cracks and chips from hardening, and rust fusing into the rubber, the 60 dollar set of wheels was run hard on and off road, towing about 1200lb on snow and ice in the mountains. I even had the thing airborne, drifted gravel roads at 50 mph, and the tires were amazing. I had comparable traction with the 235/75/15 tothe 30/9.5's.
I ended up puncturing the sidewall with a branch stub when was squeezing past a log. Wish I could find em in a 35/12.5

They looked like this



Yes it's a recap but I think this may be what you are looking for ...


https://www.tirerecappers.com/tires/all-terrain-tires/p23570r16-retread-all-star-at/

https://www.tirerecappers.com/tires/all-terrain-tires/p23575r15-retread-all-star-at/

https://www.tirerecappers.com/tires/all-terrain-tires/lt309-50r15-retread-all-star-at/

 

[CapriRacer]

The problem with old tires is the risk of structural failure. As the tire is exposed to the elements, the internal rubber degrades and won't hold together. Obviously addition stress on the tire (overload, underinflation, high speeds) increases the risk as well. This is mostly driven by temperature, but there are other factors that contribute.

The OP is in Canada, which isn't known for its high temperatures over a long period of time. Nevertheless, 10 years is a common estimate of when to remove tires from service.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Does that mean you cringe at the trailer where I work that has bias-ply tube tires in 10.00-20 on it with 3-digit date codes?

 

[C1KLTX]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Does that mean you cringe at the trailer where I work that has bias-ply tube tires in 10.00-20 on it with 3-digit date codes?


If I didn't know then no. But now that I do yes.

Me personally I wouldn't use a 10 year old tire. I know people that do and have but I wont.

 

[Gasbuggy]

I have a set of studded snows for my accord that are probably even older. I keep them indoors when not in use. They look excellent.

 

[daves87rs]

With all the crazy drivers, I'd just replace them...

 

[Mr_Joe]

They are already on. I'd run them right into Summer until they are used up. Get new Winter tires next season.