Dry rot looks like... [pics]?

[ltslimjim]

So, I'm trying to see what the onset of dry rotting looks like, these tires are probably at least 6 years old, and maybe as old as 7 or 8 years(on the vehicle).

Purchased this car at 230,000. These tires were moved to the front(an identical pair that came on the front, had no tread remaining), until 252,000. Now back on the rear with about 10,000 miles worth of tread remaining, in my estimates.

Is this dry rot? You can right click and "View Image" if it's not zoomed in close enough.

 

[SLCraig]

Yeah, to me, honestly, those tires are well past expiration.

 

[mopar_monkey]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Yeah, to me, honestly, those tires are well past expiration.


x2, those tires need to go, do yourself a favor and buy a set of cooper cs4's, best tires you can get in my opinion plus they have an 80k mi. tread wear rating!

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
Yeah, to me, honestly, those tires are well past expiration.


Slight dry rot but I agree those tires would not be on my vehicle. Esp the 2nd photo.

Be safe! Bill

 

[thescreensavers]

When where they manufactured?

 

[ltslimjim]

^Not sure, could I read the tire to see when they were manufactured somehow?

By the way, they are Goodyear Viva2 tires(175/70/R13). Left on the rear FAR too long, previous owner probably had a new set of 4 installed and never rotated them.

So, I'd imagine they wouldn't be capable of adjusting after long overdue rotation had passed and they got their 'wear pattern' stuck in progression. Unknown total mileage on tire, but if the original fronts were ran down to ZERO tread, you've got to think another 2-3 years or so on these, before we got the car(end of 2009). Dated probably between 2003-2006 manufacturing date. Had to be installed on the car no more recent than 2006, IMO. More than likely 04-05.

By the way, planning on getting some Sumitomo HTR T4s installed before this winter(or ASAP), only original size(165/70/R13) offered for about $350 with lifetime rotation and balancing, at a local tire shop I'm willing to support.

 

[glum]

Cooper CS4 has a 60K tread warranty. ComsumerReports.org gives them a "Fair" rating on tread life, and a "Good" on ride comfort, and a number of other things. Overall rating is 72 whereas highest in class tested (Michelin Primacy MXV4, the definition of an excellent tire) is 84.

 

[D.K.]

H rated CS4 tires are 60,000 mile tires. T rated are 80,000. I will tell you from experience that the Michelin Primacy is not even close to the Cooper in the real world. There are Michelin tires that are better than the CS4 but they cost a whole lot more money.

 

[dparm]

Dry rot. After 5 years most tires go downhill fast.

 

[vintageant]

What are the last 4 digits of the DOT code on the sidewall?

Example: 2904 means the 29th week of 2004

 

[flwxman]

Those tires need to be on a playground somewhere and not on your car. Definitely dry rotted.

 

[leeharvey418]

Originally Posted By: crosseyedwx
Those tires need to be on a playground somewhere and not on your car. Definitely dry rotted.


Why do you hate children?

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: leeharvey418
Originally Posted By: crosseyedwx
Those tires need to be on a playground somewhere and not on your car. Definitely dry rotted.


Why do you hate children?

 

[bullwinkle]

Viva 2 tires were junk & belonged on the playground when they were NEW!!!

 

[wrcsixeight]

Arrgh, You call that dry rot?

Now this is dry rot:

 

[Artem]

now THAT is dry rot!

OP, toss those puppies in the trash. It's just not worth having a tire blow on you while you're doing 75mph on the highway with your whole family in the car. Not only will it ruin your day, it could be much worse...


Do a few burn outs and call it a day.

 

[mopar_monkey]

Originally Posted By: glum
Cooper CS4 has a 60K tread warranty. ComsumerReports.org gives them a "Fair" rating on tread life, and a "Good" on ride comfort, and a number of other things. Overall rating is 72 whereas highest in class tested (Michelin Primacy MXV4, the definition of an excellent tire) is 84.

h speed rating cs4 is 60k mi, the t speed rated are 80k mi, the mxv4 is overpriced and they don't last long,i'm a honda tech, many hondas run the mxv4 and they just don't last long, they also tend to dry rot and chunk, while performance is good i'm not sure they are worth anywhere near the money they cost. in my experience consumer reports is not always the most reliable source of info.

 

[Popinski]

Originally Posted By: Artem

now THAT is dry rot!

OP, toss those puppies in the trash. It's just not worth having a tire blow on you while you're doing 75mph on the highway with your whole family in the car. Not only will it ruin your day, it could be much worse...


Do a few burn outs and call it a day.


Or you can properly dispose them. Tires in trash can= heavy fine.

 

[FusilliJerry82]

I'd be more concerned of the very low tread than the dry rot.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: FusilliJerry82
I'd be more concerned of the very low tread than the dry rot.


Yeah, I wouldn't necessarily call those Goodyears "dry rotted" to the point of expiration, but the low tread is definitely a safety concern. I bought a used car with those tires on it. Even with 6 or 7/32" of tread, they had no wet or dry traction. I can't imagine how slippery they are down close to the wear bars like those.

I would get those off ASAP regardless.