Tire myth or truth?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
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From: Waukesha WI
Tire myth or truth?
I have tires on my car (BF GOODRICH RADIAL T/A's) that are at least 5-6 years old. The probably have only 5000 miles on them. I have heard that tires lose their "stickiness" or that the compound hardens as they age and that even though my tires are not that used, they are probably not as good as a new set. Is this true? Does the rubber really age, or is that a myth?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,330
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From: Long Island NY
Re: Tire myth or truth? (DollaGreen)
Did they start to dry-rot yet? I have Old Dunlops (came with the car), the tread is very good, but the side walls are dry-rotting. New tires are on the way...
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 248
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From: Kansas City MO
Re: Tire myth or truth? (DollaGreen)
If they haven't dried or cracked you should be OK. The tires will go bad but if they are in a controlled environment (like a nice garage) they'll last a good long time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS TEXASTEXASTEXASTEXAS
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Tire myth or truth? (RUXperienced)
Moisturizing them semi-often would probably be a good idea?
-Chris
-Chris
JB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
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From: Carmichael CA
Re: Tire myth or truth? (DollaGreen)
It's not so much the time, but heat cycles that deteriorates the rubber compound. Radial T/A's don't have a sticky compound to begin with, so you probably won't notice much change, unless you took a brand new set and compared it to a worn set. It also depends on what kind of driving you are doing. If it's just burn outs and drag racing, then there won't be that much difference, but auto-cross driving will definitely show a difference; but, if you want performance the the Radial T/A's aren't really the right tire for you.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Re: Tire myth or truth? (Rockn-Roll)
Rubber in tires is good for only 4 to 5 years ... period.
Regardless of the appearance from the outside, they are not safe for freeway speeds. :nono:
Regardless of the appearance from the outside, they are not safe for freeway speeds. :nono:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
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From: Boulder Creek California
Re: Tire myth or truth? (SanDiegoPaul)
followed by some exfoliation and botox... :jester Hell, I dont' even know what exfoliation is...
Annnyway, as I understand it, there are several schools of thought on this, at least with racing compounds, according to Secret of Solo Racing. I dont' remember if there were more, but the two already mentioned (number of heat cycles, time since first use) were held as equally valid.
As with most everything, it's probably a mixture that depends in some way on circumstances.
Isn't being vague fun?
-Chris :D
Annnyway, as I understand it, there are several schools of thought on this, at least with racing compounds, according to Secret of Solo Racing. I dont' remember if there were more, but the two already mentioned (number of heat cycles, time since first use) were held as equally valid.
As with most everything, it's probably a mixture that depends in some way on circumstances.
Isn't being vague fun?
-Chris :D