I just watched a segment on the news about tire degradation. They showed how you can decode the manufacture date of the tire by a code on the inside wall of the tire. The code is very confusing and I doubt very many people know how to figure it out. The conclusion was that tires over 6 years have degraded to the point of being dangerous. They said that regardless of the number of miles, the tires should be replaced at that age. My tires have only a little less than 13,000 miles, but it is a 98. I’m thinking that high speeds may be very dangerous and have more probibility of coming apart. I would tend to guess that at 175 MPH, there would be no chance of maintaining control if that happened.
Does anybody here have information regarding this potential on the original run flats, or any tire for that matter?

 

I know if you have a car, trailer, etc... that you don't use much and they are kept in the sun for long periods of time the tire become damaged.

 

My car is garaged 95% of the time when it is not being driven. I know rubber will degrade over time, just as the weather-stripping does. Albeit a tire is much thicker rubber, but I would think the same principle would hold true.

 

I'll be interested in the replies here. The tires on my 2000 FRC have 9500 miles on them and I have no desire to replace them$$$

 

Another reason to drive the car.

 

My 04 stock GYs had 24k on them and I was glad to see them go. Horrible ride, too noisy.

Get some new tires, take that baby out and let'r stretch her legs every now and then. Corvettes are like race horses- while they look great in the barn they are bred to RUN!

 

Everyone enjoys their car in their own way, but letting one sit until the tires rot is just sad. Course the way I'm rolling miles on mine, I may change my mind in a year or two. Already at 26k on my 04. Every single one enjoyed, BTW.

 

My son has a 97 Boxster that he bought with 14,000 miles in 2000. I'm pretty sure it had the original tires.

About a month ago, he was driving home from work and one of the rears went flat ... literally split open on the sidewall. The tires presumably were about 8 years old. They do apparently dryrot since he had plenty of tread left.

 

My Y2K w/orig. runcraps seem dangerous already. They will smoke with ease in almost any gear, especially in the cold (cold air=more h.p. too. Bad mix). I'm tired of seeing the traction control/active handling warning. I can't wait to wear them out.

 

Steve, I think the bottom line answer to your question is yes, they will degrade over time. It's the time factor that is the most difficult to predict because of so many variables. Such as, how often they're exposed to UV, temperature extremes they experience and even ozone they might get exposed to from such things as an electric motor or generator while in your garage.

The most important thing you can do is periodically look them over carefully for any signs of deterioration. One of the places I look at closely is in the tread area. I have seen tires with no evidence of cracking on the sidewalls, but with major separation occurring deep in the tread area. I also remove them from the vehicle at least annually and do a thorough cleaning of the inside of the wheel to remove any road grime I can't get to otherwise. This gives me a very good opportunity to examine the whole tire and especially the inner sidewall. (The neighbors think I'm a bit ****… but hey what do they know!!)

I think the first indications you will get that your tires are in need of replacing due to age are that they just lack grip. The rubber gets hard well before it starts to show signs of cracking and you will have lost much of the tires performance. At this point, they are not necessarily going to fail at reasonable speeds, but the loss of grip will be very apparent and you need to think about replacing them… as most of us do. I have 8,000 miles on a set of original Gatorbacks on my '85. These tires have been well protected all of their life and look fabulous with no signs of deterioration… except... the car would skate all over at the least application of power. They're great for show, but I don't drive on them. I have the tires and wheels put away for future show judging, and use newer rubber to drive on.

Six years, ten years… I think you will get a lot of opinions here. But do examine them regularly, and at the first signs of deterioration you should re-tire them…

Good luck… GUSTO

 

I'm in the same boat as you. My runcraps have 23K on them, and I was planning on replacing them next spring becuase of their age (7 years old.) I heard the promo for this story, but didn't see it. I figured it was another sweeps "scare the hell out of eveyone" piece!

 

GUSTO14, thanks for the helpful info, as well as the rest of you guys.
My main concern is not at normal speed driving, but high speed. I would tend to think that since they are run flats, control would still be there.
In high triple digits I think if one came apart it would be off to the next world for me.

 

Chicago, no it was very informative. They showed you how to determine the manufacturing date, which is on the inside wall of the tire and was like a secret code for undercover agents. . Sometimes you can buy "new" tires that in some cases were made a few years ago

 

D.O.T serial number system

example: A 235/45ZR18 Eagle F1 GSD3

NE8P 2JBR 2305

NE: Mfgr code
8P: PLant Code
2JBR: Mfgr options / internal sku
2305: 23rd week of 2005

Prior to 2000

239: 23rd week of 1999


Support your Local Tire Dealer,
Jay Lee

 

Yep, thay sounds right.

 

take it to the bank Stevie.

 

Stevie, I agree with the comments made ny GUSTO14. Cowpunk had the codes right on. I worked in the tire industry for 40 years. My opinion is watch out for cracking in the tread, on the lettering on the sidewall bead area, and ozone related cracking. Tires are made with a lot of oil and other chemicals which are made to exude (seep) out of the tire. Flexing promotes the chemicals to surface and protect the tire's surface. I would not suggest solvents to remove road grime. Just use car washing soap. For high speed use, inspect and look for repairs made to the tires. They will lose the z rating. John

 

Great advice....thanks. This has been a great post to read and gain more info. about tires. Thanks for posting the issue StevieB

 

Very interesting thread. Thanks for all the info.

 

After 20 years and 10,000 miles on the tires of my '62, I bought news ones, but the old ones still looked good!