Run flat tire life
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: Loudon TN
Run flat tire life
My OE G'year run flats are seven years old, seldom in the sun, greaat tread etc. Look new. Tire guy told me they are dangerous to drive on---cracks, delamination etc due to their age. What ya'll think? 
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I think its BS, but that's my opinion. I have also had tire places tell me they can't patch run flats.
My run flats are over 6yrs old and I don't have a problem with them. They are going to be replaced soon because of wear.
My run flats are over 6yrs old and I don't have a problem with them. They are going to be replaced soon because of wear.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
The rubber can dry out and crack but that is an observable condition and can be found easily through a visual inspection.
On regular tires you may see some hair line cracks in the side wall near the rim bead or between the treads. This is mostly due to flexing of the dry rubber compound. The side wall cracks can leak eventually and cause a flat. I had some low mileage tires that had great tread on another car that were about six years old; they cracked and finally leaked through the side wall.
RFs are much thicker and stiffer than non run flats - especially in the side walls. I doubt they would leak through tiny surface cracks. And if they did you would still be able to drive on them to get service. That said, if you see cracks you probably shouldn't be doing much 100+ driving.
I bought some used tires from a forum member a few years ago that looked great and had great tread. They are probably six or seven years old now and still look good - no cracks.
If they look good don't worry about it but keep an eye on them just the same. I also think that applications of tire shine products or even some motor oil on the side walls will help preserve the tires.
I oil up my boat trailer tires (side walls) when its in storage or sitting out in the sun during the season. The tires are probably 16 years old now and no cracks can be seen.
On regular tires you may see some hair line cracks in the side wall near the rim bead or between the treads. This is mostly due to flexing of the dry rubber compound. The side wall cracks can leak eventually and cause a flat. I had some low mileage tires that had great tread on another car that were about six years old; they cracked and finally leaked through the side wall.
RFs are much thicker and stiffer than non run flats - especially in the side walls. I doubt they would leak through tiny surface cracks. And if they did you would still be able to drive on them to get service. That said, if you see cracks you probably shouldn't be doing much 100+ driving.
I bought some used tires from a forum member a few years ago that looked great and had great tread. They are probably six or seven years old now and still look good - no cracks.
If they look good don't worry about it but keep an eye on them just the same. I also think that applications of tire shine products or even some motor oil on the side walls will help preserve the tires.
I oil up my boat trailer tires (side walls) when its in storage or sitting out in the sun during the season. The tires are probably 16 years old now and no cracks can be seen.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,013
Likes: 9,775
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Run flat tires can fall apart due to age. However, their reaction to that age will be different. On non-run flat tires the increased risk of blow outs means they should be replaced. With run flats the risk of blow outs actually causing a problem for the driver is much less but would increase with age.
Bill
Bill
