Is it time for new tires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 192
Likes: 54
Is it time for new tires
If I'm reading the date codes correctly my tires were made in the 12th week of 2011.
Low mileage, maybe 1,000 a year but almost 7 years old!
When do you guys replace tires?
Low mileage, maybe 1,000 a year but almost 7 years old!
When do you guys replace tires?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,285
Likes: 4,375
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
There have been several recent threads about old (dated) tires failing.
The photos are pretty ugly!!
They seem to pop with NO warning.
Remember the entire tire is flexed on each revolution. The photos seem to show the damage often shows itself where the sidewall meets the tread.
Safety!
Regards,
Alan
There have been several recent threads about old (dated) tires failing.
The photos are pretty ugly!!
They seem to pop with NO warning.
Remember the entire tire is flexed on each revolution. The photos seem to show the damage often shows itself where the sidewall meets the tread.
Safety!
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
On my "toy" cars I purchase new tires every five years no matter how few miles on them.
On my daily drivers every five years, or if 50% of the tread has worn.
On my motorcycles I change tires every other year or every 3,000 miles.
I think I put new tires on my Ducati every other month.
On my daily drivers every five years, or if 50% of the tread has worn.
On my motorcycles I change tires every other year or every 3,000 miles.
I think I put new tires on my Ducati every other month.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Dec 13, 2017 at 01:24 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 289
Likes: 32
It depends on the tires as heavy duty commercial tires can last well over 10 years because their side walls and treads are so thick. For cars figure around 8 to 10 years maximum. When you see signs of side wall cracking it's time to replace them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
This is what I go with.10 years on a DD max
8 years or less if it's a performance type car in which I may inadvertently occasionally exceed the speed limit.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If the car is used regularly and kept inside a garage most of the time, you can probably get 8-10 safe years out of them. If the car sits most of the time and is rarely driven, you probably need to change the tires after 6-7 years. Synthetic rubber "likes" to be used!
UltraViolet (UV) light and non-use are what causes tire rubber to deteriorate. You must be the judge of how long is "long enough".
Or, you can let the car tell you: Whenever you have a tire blow on you while driving, it's past time to replace them.
UltraViolet (UV) light and non-use are what causes tire rubber to deteriorate. You must be the judge of how long is "long enough".
Or, you can let the car tell you: Whenever you have a tire blow on you while driving, it's past time to replace them.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Dec 13, 2017 at 05:36 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
Actually, I have a different take on this issue.
For ultra high performance tires (ZR-W/Y rated) which are extremely strong tire carcasses on cars that are not driven regularly AND are not exposed to sunlight (UV light) when stored, these tires can last a VERY long time...at least 10-12years or more as long as there is no visible dry rot...How do I know?...personal experience on multiple cars
Now for DD with non ultra high performance tires that are driven many miles, exposed to weather, sunlight, parked outside, thousands of miles of constant road pounding which can weaken the tire carcass, etc, I usually change these tires every 5-7 years. The lower the speed rating and thus the strength of the tire carcass, the less years I allow the tire to stay on the road which is the primary reason all of my cars have Z/W/Y rated tires.....SAFETY FIRST, performance second.
Pretty much the opposite of most of what was stated previously.....
For ultra high performance tires (ZR-W/Y rated) which are extremely strong tire carcasses on cars that are not driven regularly AND are not exposed to sunlight (UV light) when stored, these tires can last a VERY long time...at least 10-12years or more as long as there is no visible dry rot...How do I know?...personal experience on multiple cars
Now for DD with non ultra high performance tires that are driven many miles, exposed to weather, sunlight, parked outside, thousands of miles of constant road pounding which can weaken the tire carcass, etc, I usually change these tires every 5-7 years. The lower the speed rating and thus the strength of the tire carcass, the less years I allow the tire to stay on the road which is the primary reason all of my cars have Z/W/Y rated tires.....SAFETY FIRST, performance second.
Pretty much the opposite of most of what was stated previously.....
Last edited by jb78L-82; Dec 14, 2017 at 10:50 AM.
