Tire age - when to replace

[Dave Sherman]

The MG and Lincoln both have old, low mileage tires. I've never given much thought to tire age, except on my travel trailer. Those I usually replace around 7 years, because trailer tires typically have a hard working life and aren't known for aging well. I had to think back, and the MG got 5 new tires - when I first got it back on the road in 2003! The Lincoln got 4 new tires when dad flat-towed it out to Arizona in 2011, but it never got driven, so they only have about 2000 miles on them. None of the tires on either car are showing signs of cracking or dry rotting thanks to seeing little road or sun, except for the spare in the Lincoln's trunk. I'm pretty sure that hasn't been replaced the last few times it got tires, so it's got to be pushing 40 years or more. The MG has only rolled about 11,000 miles in 22 years, and the tires look barely used, probably because it's such a tiny, lightweight car to begin with.

What say you? The date codes put them at 23 and 15 years. Replace them ASAP even though they are barely used, look good visually and spent most of their time in a garage?

 

[Rmay635703]

I had a 12 year old re92 on the inside hit a very small frozen animal got home and the side wall had a slice, was pretty weather checked.

Got by me because the place selling the tires threw in one 4+ year old tire in with the rest.

I always check tire ages now

 

[LDB]

I tend toward the conservative, cautious side so I would probably do the 15 and definitely the 23.

 

[Propflux01]

23 year old, replace. Period. The 15's should be replaced, but if you are going to use them, I would not exceed 60MPH with them, as the rubber surely has degraded over the years.

 

[cmarshall78]

Replace them, in my opinion it's not worth the risk. Last summer I put new tires on a f150 that where 14 years old with 30k on them. Looked like new, but I didn't trust them.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

15-23 years old? Replace them!

 

[Dave Sherman]

Okay! Think that's settled then. The MG is roadworthy, but it will likely get new ones first. The Lincoln isn't quite roadworthy yet, but it's going to have short shakedown drives, so they can come later. Thanks all!

 

[KevinMalone]

https://barrystiretech.com/TireAging.html

6-10 years max depending on climate

 

[IndyIan]

https://barrystiretech.com/TireAging.html

6-10 years max depending on climate

Sounds about right, I also just test them out on wet pavement, as wet grip seems to go first. Still gripping?, I run them, as I'm not doing 85mph loaded heavy in 100+F ever.
No tire I've ever used, grips well in the wet beyond 10 years except for some sumitomo's that were in someone's basement for 8 years. They gripped good at 11-12 years.

 

[Crusher]

Dave Sherman

Safety 1st!

 

[Sumboodie]

I'd run them if they look fine. But some of my stuff has 50yr old tires.

 

[rijndael]

I have some tires from 2019. They have plenty of tread life left, they're about half way through their expected milage life/warranty. When the road gets wet, I have noticable tire slip when taking off from a start. I have like 140 horsepower and a 5 speed. Speed and torque is nonexistant. It's not easy to make new tires slip and this didn't happen when new.

There's more to tire life than just tread depth. I favor replacing tires earlier than later.

 

[edyvw]

The MG and Lincoln both have old, low mileage tires. I've never given much thought to tire age, except on my travel trailer. Those I usually replace around 7 years, because trailer tires typically have a hard working life and aren't known for aging well. I had to think back, and the MG got 5 new tires - when I first got it back on the road in 2003! The Lincoln got 4 new tires when dad flat-towed it out to Arizona in 2011, but it never got driven, so they only have about 2000 miles on them. None of the tires on either car are showing signs of cracking or dry rotting thanks to seeing little road or sun, except for the spare in the Lincoln's trunk. I'm pretty sure that hasn't been replaced the last few times it got tires, so it's got to be pushing 40 years or more. The MG has only rolled about 11,000 miles in 22 years, and the tires look barely used, probably because it's such a tiny, lightweight car to begin with.

What say you? The date codes put them at 23 and 15 years. Replace them ASAP even though they are barely used, look good visually and spent most of their time in a garage?

I take tires off the car if they reach 6yrs old and not worn out. Usually, I wear them out before, but on my wife's car (Tiguan), they usually reach 6 years before they are worn out.
I like the tires I buy, but I like my wife more (still).

 

[TomYoung]

A pox on those suggesting anything other than immediate replacement.

 

[JHZR2]

I usually go 10 years. We age out tires before tread, even on daily drivers.

 

[z71bill]

The six year old Michelin tires on my 2007 Z71 Tahoe have 7/32 tread left. They still look good and I do not think they are unsafe in any way.

I started looking for a tire deal and they will be replaced before they hit 7.

My spare - never used is old enough to vote - I rarely go out of town so if I did have a flat and had to use it I would not go over 35 mph and straight to a tire shop.

When I get new tires the spare will be replaced.

 

[edyvw]

The six year old Michelin tires on my 2007 Z71 Tahoe have 7/32 tread left. They still look good and I do not think they are unsafe in any way.

I started looking for a tire deal and they will be replaced before they hit 7.

My spare - never used is old enough to vote - I rarely go out of town so if I did have a flat and had to use it I would not go over 35 mph and straight to a tire shop.

When I get new tires the spare will be replaced.

So your tire that is old enough to vote fails at what? 36mph? 40mph?
I just want to know at what speed it fails and what methodology you used to come up with 35mph as the maximum speed.

 

[z71bill]

So your tire that is old enough to vote fails at what? 36mph? 40mph?
I just want to know at what speed it fails and what methodology you used to come up with 35mph as the maximum speed.

At 35 MPH even if all 4 tires blow out at the same time and I would just safely stop and then walk home.

Course I would slow down when I was going around a corner.

What do think would happen if you had a blow out going 35 MPH? The car would roll over and burst into flames?

 

[edyvw]

At 35 MPH even if all 4 tires blow out at the same time and I would just safely stop and then walk home.

Course I would slow down when I was going around a corner.

What do think would happen if you had a blow out going 35 MPH? The car would roll over and burst into flames?

Besides trying to find a reason not to replace tire, at 35mph, blown tire can easily make you change direction, end up in lane with opposing traffic or lane with cars going your direction etc, etc. When tires fail there no just two scenarios, rolling over and flames.
But hey, not everyone thinks $200 is worth someones life.

 

[jeepman3071]

When I worked in insurance I saw far too many accidents (including rollovers and fatalities) caused by tire blow outs. I replace mine at 6 years old including on my trailers or at the minimum tread depth, whichever comes first.