Alright...I know the "right" answer to this question, but what I'm looking for is practical answers. There's a good chance I'll be picking up my first Vette this weekend. Unfortunately, the tires are from 2002 and 2003. I think I read somewhere that it's best to change tires if they're more than 5-7 years old regardless of tread life. I won't have the luxury of getting the tires replaced before the 8 hour drive home. How worried should I be about driving 8 hours on old tires like this? Once I get home, I plan to change the tires and wheels within a week or two. I just need some reassurance that I'm not gonna die on the way home.

BTW, it has been garage kept and I haven't noticed dry rot in the photos.

 

have the tire pressuse about 30 psi cold, I would keep the speed down, ck the pressures as you drive (DIC)

 

Dry rot starts to occur right where the tire and rim meet, it also occurs between the thread.
The problem is impact. dry rot is a crack in the outer carcass, cause by air born contaminants, heat and loss of natural oils in the rubber. Hit a road hazard, pot hole, etc, and the tire can split. Without a spare, it not just a loss of air pressure, it could be a catastrophic loss, not just a slow leak, requiring a New tire. 8 Hours is a long time, going at highway speeds. IM giving you the worst case scenario based on tires that are 13 and 14 years old, twice the shelf life of tires. I don't want to scare you, but I want you to be careful because this could be a bad idea. I would want to travel only during the day where you have a chance to see pot holes and hazards. IN 8 hours, you are going to heat those tires up more than then have been in the past. putting more stress on them. Some times a dry rot condition will manifest itself in a loss of air pressure. Your DIC will warn you of this if the car has functioning tire pressure sensors. If it does Not, I would not drive the car eight hours because the only way you will know when I tire becomes unstable because of air loss is when the car goes out of control. I would at the least get a portable 12V air compressor about 25 30 dollars in the event you get a low tire warning.
Good Luck
Bill aka ET

 

Is the advice different if they're run flats? I don't know if they are or not. I've attached photos. Would a 12v compressor be needed?

 

Hey Craig, when you get back we can meet up and talk Corvette's.

Not a tire guy, but that tire looks good too me.

 

I agree with just driving carefully (i.e., slower than usual) on the way home and get the tires replaced as soon as possible. As to whether or not those tires are runflats, can't tell from those pics. Does the sidewall have anything on it like EMT, zero pressure, etc.? Those would be runflat tires.

 

yes in another pic they appear to say Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Zero Pressure.

 

My 98 with 18000 miles is still on the original Goodyears. Wet grip isn't great, but I'm not concerned about them disintegrating on me. I've been on a few 3-4 hour road trips, they held up ok. Road noise and ride aren't real good, replacements are on the to do list if I can actually ever get to use it (another story). I'm considering the Michelin A/S.

 

I am going to point this out. The NHTSA National highway transportation safety administration recommends changing tires after 7 years. IN fact its a directive in most states that have a state mandated Vehicle inspection, to refuse to validate a New inspection period with tires that are out of date. If you are involved in an accident where loss of life is based on tires that are 12 or 13 years old, you could be held criminally responsible. Ignorance of the law is no defense. Its up to you to keep your car safe.

Incidentally, the side wall marked 0603 June 2003 looks good, but run flats do run hotter, and therefor the rubber is dryer. I have seen catastrophic irreparable damage done to a run flat tire.

I would like to see a shot of the tread on your tires... one that is exposed correctly and in focus,., dry rot cracks can be concealed in a photo that is not in perfect focus.

You do need a compressor if you have run flats, they too lose air pressure. One thing you dont want to do is run a run flat with little or no air for a long period of time. anything over 50 miles will render the tire unsafe. with a compressor, if you lose aie pressure from a road hazard, nail etc, your DIC will warn you when they get to 25 psi. All you have to do is go and pump them up and keep the air pressure up. IN 800 miles you may have to do this several times, but its an easy fix, that can get you home in one piece.. I advise everyone to get tire pressure sensors, even Z06 owners. A super car tire is too expensive to be destroyed by too little air and not knowing it. Tire pressure sensors and a compressor can help get you home if you pick up a nail on a long journey.
Just some advice
Bill aka ET

 

I always wondered what guys with collector cars did about old tires. Granted they probably do not drive their 1958 Ferrari 8 hr at 70mph, but even guys with 58 Corvettes drive to a show or something on bias ply tires. They pitch those 7yr old specialty Coker tires in the trash with 1000 miles on them??

 

This discussion has me thinking about tires now. And I had no thought of replacing my tires with such low mileage on them. I got the Michelin Pilot Sport tires in 06 I think, from Tire Rack. Although they still look new, what is being said is that I need to start looking for tires again.

 

Here are some photos of tires/tread.

 

After checking tires with calipers, seller said front was .168" and rear was .187 "

 

Those tires " Look Good" to me , and I would be inclined to drive on them for 8 hours.. But I would still be conscious of the fact that they are "very" old.
A couple of cool down pit stops might be a good thing too but I would still get a compressor, and I would still choose to drive during day light hours.. With tires that old, its not only dry rot that you can see, its the infernal construction that keeps the tire together..
Bill aka ET

 

there really is no way to know the internal condition from the out side and 8 hours is a bit of a haul. but they appear ok, just be safe and slow

 

you guys are great. if you don't hear from me again...you know what happened

 

Can you provide a reference to the NHTSA recommendation or the law that states 7 years?

When I search for that information I find that NHTSA declined to add an age requirement in 2014. I also found on a government publication that referenced manufacturers recommendations between 6 to 10 years.

The age marking of 0603 is not June 2003, it is the 6th week of 2003.

As for the OP's question, I think everyone agrees that tires from '02 or '03 are too old. The rubber is getting harder and will not perform as well. In addition older tires are more susceptible to failure especially when under inflated (per NHTSA testing).

Like others have said, if you drive them home, keep an eye on the pressures and try not to drive too fast or abuse the tires.

Good luck.

 

I had 25 year old tires for a show car and they looked perfect. No visible cracking or anything.

I did drive them a couple miles and they were hard as rocks. Slippery too.

Your pictures look pretty good to me too. I would give them a try for the drive home too. Just be careful.

 

 

Those tire look fine... just drive responsibly.