Buying MIchelins from Sams or Costco
- Thread starter Gebo
- Start date
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
That is precisely why one drives on ten years +/- Michelins over 95 percent of new tires. I have about as extreme of a
"test bed" as one can have.
Will have to search but believe I have posted on BITOG pictures of almost brand-new trailer tires failing in under 500 miles. I have been migrating all my trailer tires to Goodyear. People have great confidence in new tires, especially Asian tires....... I will take an aged Michelin Defender over a brand new Asian tire for extreme conditions such as summer towing under max load every day of the week.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Perhaps it is time for me to step in and comment on the subject of tire age.
First problem: Tire aging is highly dependent on temperature. Tires in - say - Phoenix - age much faster than tires in - say - Minneapolis. How does a government set a regulation with such a spread of conditions?
Second problem: The US Federal government can only set regulations for interstate commerce. That means they can only regulate trucks, airplanes, etc,, not passenger cars.
Third problem: The US Federal government can only regulate things where there is an issue. Is tire age such a large problem that the feds need to step in?
Fourth problem: What data do you base a regulation on? Where do you draw the line? Tire failures due to age isn't a bright line kind of thing!
What that means is the states are where passenger car tire regulations have to come from and there isn't clear data to set a regulation.
Clearly there is an upper limit, but what is it?
Here's what the USTMA (US Tire Manufacturers Association) says about it:
"USTMA is not aware of scientific or technical data that establishes or identifies a specific minimum or maximum service life for passenger and light truck tires. However, in some cases a tire or vehicle manufacturer may make a specific tire replacement recommendation regarding its products. If so, the consumer should consult the manufacturer with any questions with regard to following the recommendation. Furthermore, any such recommendation should not be considered a minimum service life for the tire.”
For more detail: Barry's Tire Tech: Tire Aging and Weather Cracking
First problem: Tire aging is highly dependent on temperature. Tires in - say - Phoenix - age much faster than tires in - say - Minneapolis. How does a government set a regulation with such a spread of conditions?
Second problem: The US Federal government can only set regulations for interstate commerce. That means they can only regulate trucks, airplanes, etc,, not passenger cars.
Third problem: The US Federal government can only regulate things where there is an issue. Is tire age such a large problem that the feds need to step in?
Fourth problem: What data do you base a regulation on? Where do you draw the line? Tire failures due to age isn't a bright line kind of thing!
What that means is the states are where passenger car tire regulations have to come from and there isn't clear data to set a regulation.
Clearly there is an upper limit, but what is it?
Here's what the USTMA (US Tire Manufacturers Association) says about it:
"USTMA is not aware of scientific or technical data that establishes or identifies a specific minimum or maximum service life for passenger and light truck tires. However, in some cases a tire or vehicle manufacturer may make a specific tire replacement recommendation regarding its products. If so, the consumer should consult the manufacturer with any questions with regard to following the recommendation. Furthermore, any such recommendation should not be considered a minimum service life for the tire.”
For more detail: Barry's Tire Tech: Tire Aging and Weather Cracking
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
So, a problem statement could be:
" Is a older tire from a world class manufacturer with a history of the very best R&D, engineering, manufacturing, quality control, manufacturing, testing, and quality control and better choice than a brand new Chinese tire that are now commonly sold across the US from chains such as Les Schwab and Wal Mart?
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
I am not sure that is relevant question. We know answer to that.
Running 15yrs old tire is what you implying is OK just because they are Michelin, when Michelin itself, you know, best in R&D etc. says not to do it under any circumstances.
And then there are specific climate conditions etc.
The air we breathe is about 80% nitrogen. So, unless you're driving 200mph for NASCAR, that extra 20% doesn't do much for you. But if it's free...
- Joined
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Not only is it free, they now have a beautiful inflation station outside our local Costco tire center after they expanded it and moved the center to a separate building.
The sort of stations you see in Pennsylvania: Clean, clearly indicated, you preset your pressure and just press the button, as opposed to the usual NY & CT inflators at gas stations, which come with an invisible stick pressure gauge that you're supposed to read as it sticks further out of the housing, and requiring a million quarters for a time that's never enough to fill all four tires unless you prepare and take all caps off first.
The sort of stations you see in Pennsylvania: Clean, clearly indicated, you preset your pressure and just press the button, as opposed to the usual NY & CT inflators at gas stations, which come with an invisible stick pressure gauge that you're supposed to read as it sticks further out of the housing, and requiring a million quarters for a time that's never enough to fill all four tires unless you prepare and take all caps off first.
- Joined
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- 742
Michelin doesn't even make tires for my car. It's the 15 inch diameter they don't see a market for.
I use a bike pump every 1-2 weeks and add a pound or two as needed. It's a good workout and easier than uncoiling the compressor hose.
Keep in mind that these portable inflators do not have a filter/separator for moisture. The air that you’re putting into your tires will not be dry, so you’ll be subject to more temperature swings.
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
Went to church this morning. There is a old retired guy that drives between Alaska and Washington State twice every year. not surprised to see 2017 Michelins on his loaded and towing truck.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
GON
$175 Site Donor 2026
My Wife the psychotherapist response to your post would be " you spot it you got it"
It's like well he's doing it...I might as well do it too! Has the camper weight and pulling a trailer.
It looks like he could be full time on the road-and not rolling in the bucks-so I will just leave it there. Otherwise I may not be as generous.
That's what happens when you one relies on Social Security alone.
It looks like he could be full time on the road-and not rolling in the bucks-so I will just leave it there. Otherwise I may not be as generous.
That's what happens when you one relies on Social Security alone.
I'll add just a caveat for NY. Sam's Club no longer offers road hazard in NY. Costco still does the 5 year road hazard.
Sam's Club in NY will honor the road hazard for tires bought in other states at Sam's Clubs that still include the road hazard.
Sam's Club in NY will honor the road hazard for tires bought in other states at Sam's Clubs that still include the road hazard.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
That is why lawyers have a job.
