You know, I am 78 years old, and had my own car since I was 16, and I am not sure, but don't think I have spent $1200 on tires for my whole life. Of course a lot of that has to do with getting different(not new) car quite often. And of course buying used tires for the few I kept longer, like the old 63 chevy that I drove 5 miles to work for 10 years. I think I bought a pair of studded snow tires for it once. Used that car for a service truck. Had a push bumper on it.If $1200 every 6 years for tires is too much money, get a new resume made up, and start applying for much better jobs. I personally spend more than that annually, on motorcycle tires alone.
As an instructor of accident investigation for twenty years I will tell you that this is overwhelmingly the case. Remove just one factor and the crash doesn't occur or the outcome changes. Oh, and wear your @#$%b seatbelt.I can't help but wonder, if any one of these factors had been changed, would the accident have been averted?
That is NOT how this works. There are multiple variables that can contribute to damage. The old tire is more prone to failure, to damage, which does not mean it will blow off just like that rolling down the road. But, where a new(er) tire might just roll over it, the old tire might fail.I realize that this is a 3 year old post, but here's my thoughts.
If 8 year old tires, going 80 mph, in the heat, were the cause of this accident, there'd be wrecked cars strewn all over I95 around here!
I would say there is general agreement here about old tires. You can go through it yourself. What causes their failure? They won’t fail sitting in garage. So is driving to blame or age of tire? If they fail at pothole that would not be a problem for newer tire, is it pothole or tire? People who die from HIV don’t die bcs. HIV killed them. They die bcs. HIV decimated immune system, and then pneumonia kills them. So, no HIV, no dying from pneumonia. Newer tires? Likelihood blowing off on pothole are minimal. Ir during road trips etc.I understand that Ed. My point is that was not the MAIN cause. There had to be other factors that caused the accident, not old tires. I'm sure many others here have said the same thing in previous posts.
No, absolutely no!The trend separated, truck roll over, people ejected. I would blame the seatbelt first, then maybe the tires (if they are neglected or under inflated or manufacturing defects like the Firestone on Ford Explorer).
Typically people who won't wear seatbelts aren't the people who will take care of their tires either. Nevertheless in the US we have so many lawyers manufacturers have to consider any idiot can abuse the products and services and they have to protect themselves from these idiots, and build in fault tolerance or just decline these customers / applications.
What I'm saying is, the idiot who doesn't wear seatbelt is to blame. They could have lost their truck instead of their lives.No, absolutely no!
The seatbelt is passive safety equipment.
The tire is active safety equipment.
The seatbelt is the last resort. Tires are there not to get to that point where you need a seatbelt.
What you saying is that if brakes are faulty, seatbelts are to blame.
Again, tires are tricky. Most people have no idea that the age of tires is a problem. We have places like DT or Costco that should pay attention to this, yet DT is ready to sell years old tires.What I'm saying is, the idiot who doesn't wear seatbelt is to blame. They could have lost their truck instead of their lives.
People crashes and roll over everyday, most people survive, idiot who doesn't wear seatbelt die.
Yeah, but really, how many people know about the age of tires? Should they know that in the first place? That is why there are places like DT, Costco, American Tire etc. etc.Apathy is the real culprit. Old tires? Who cares? Seatbelts? Don't need 'em. If this is the way these folks lived their entire lives, it was bound to catch up to them. Unfortunately, there are millions of people who drive around in ignorant bliss regarding the condition of their vehicles. It caught up to someone on this day. If you're going to keep tires for a long time, they need care. Lack of care = disaster in the making. Tires are safety equipment, not accessories.
I'm of the mindset that even people who loathe the thought of wrenching on their own car should at least extend the effort to know basic information. Old or worn out tires = risk. The excuse that "I don't like messing with that stuff" doesn't pardon anyone from their responsibility of providing basic maintenance to the 5,000 lb. death machine sitting in the driveway. I get very tired of people blaming manufacturers and dragging them into court over stuff like this. The "I don't wanna" attitude shouldn't be a valid reason to shirk your responsibilities as the owner. Nothing lasts forever, but with basic care, you can greatly reduce the chances of a nasty surprise. I would not hesitate to drive 80mph on a old set of tires that I've owned since new, given that they have adequate tread after that long. Unfortunately, when non-like-minded people finally decide to replace old tires, they pay no attention to them until there's a problem. I have family members who are guilty of this. Usually a flat, or some obvious cosmetic issue is the only occurrence that brings a problem to light. Lack of pro-active maintenance, or simple monitoring of tread depth and general condition would've prevented this. But hopefully they didn't die in vain.....maybe enough people saw this tragic story and will go out to the garage and actually check their tires. Those of us who share the roads with the "I don't wannas" should pray that's the case.Yeah, but really, how many people know about the age of tires? Should they know that in the first place? That is why there are places like DT, Costco, American Tire etc. etc.
Absolutely, but take this:I'm of the mindset that even people who loathe the thought of wrenching on their own car should at least extend the effort to know basic information. Old or worn out tires = risk. The excuse that "I don't like messing with that stuff" doesn't pardon anyone from their responsibility of providing basic maintenance to the 5,000 lb. death machine sitting in the driveway. I get very tired of people blaming manufacturers and dragging them into court over stuff like this. The "I don't wanna" attitude shouldn't be a valid reason to shirk your responsibilities as the owner. Nothing lasts forever, but with basic care, you can greatly reduce the chances of a nasty surprise. I would not hesitate to drive 80mph on a old set of tires that I've owned since new, given that they have adequate tread after that long. Unfortunately, when non-like-minded people finally decide to replace old tires, they pay no attention to them until there's a problem. I have family members who are guilty of this. Usually a flat, or some obvious cosmetic issue is the only occurrence that brings a problem to light. Lack of pro-active maintenance, or simple monitoring of tread depth and general condition would've prevented this. But hopefully they didn't die in vain.....maybe enough people saw this tragic story and will go out to the garage and actually check their tires. Those of us who share the roads with the "I don't wannas" should pray that's the case.
I don't think age, by itself, is a factor, so I can't say that this would make any difference to me. If they look good, they probably are good. There are most often visual clues to a failing tire. They don't just magically explode at 5 years or 8 years. Mine, especially on the truck, since it lives outside, are cleaned, treated, and inspected regularly. If your soccer mom is flying down the road 3 or 4 years later with a carload of kids on tires that she hasn't taken responsibility for maintaining, and they're bald, under-inflated, or weather cracked, she's culpable in my eyes. Nothing lasts forever, and far short of forever without maintenance. She didn't buy them worn or weather-cracked, even if they were 3 years old at install time. Just saying...if your life doesn't include taking some responsibility for what you're riding around in, you may pay a dear price. A quick visual inspection by someone who's taken the time to learn what to look for, very likely would've saved some lives.Absolutely, but take this:
You have a soccer mom, bought tires bcs. 80,000 miles tread wear. Makes 6-8,000 miles a year. DT sells her 3-year-old tire (like they tried to sell me), what do you do? Tire look good after 5 years, but....
I do not drive a 6-year-old tire or older. period. New or slightly used, or bald. Whatever.I don't think age, by itself, is a factor, so I can't say that this would make any difference to me. If they look good, they probably are good. There are most often visual clues to a failing tire. They don't just magically explode at 5 years or 8 years. Mine, especially on the truck, since it lives outside, are cleaned, treated, and inspected regularly. If your soccer mom is flying down the road 3 or 4 years later with a carload of kids on tires that she hasn't taken responsibility for maintaining, and they're bald, under-inflated, or weather cracked, she's culpable in my eyes. Nothing lasts forever, and far short of forever without maintenance. She didn't buy them worn or weather-cracked, even if they were 3 years old at install time. Just saying...if your life doesn't include taking some responsibility for what you're riding around in, you may pay a dear price. A quick visual inspection by someone who's taken the time to learn what to look for, very likely would've saved some lives.