Tire Age Question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Tire Age Question
Hey guys, I couldnt pass up a great deal on a pair of Michelin PS2 tires sized 315/30r18. I noticed the manufacturer date on them is 1808, which I believe means they were made on the 18th week of 2008. I thought I heard somewhere the Michelin warrants their tires for 6 years and that 6 years is the oldest you would want to go on tires. Im just wondering if this is true or not. Are these considered old tires? They look awesome, not dry at all or a single crack, brand spanking new stickers and all. Just want to know if im ok, if so I got at minimum 2 years of driving life in them, though I dont expect them to last that long.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'd heard that too. After 6 years the rubber gets more brittle with age.
Must admit, I haven't had a set of tires last longer than 6 years so it's never been an issue for me. I'd happily use that set and just keep an eye on them. The tire is designed to be used at 170 mph+ so should be capable of handling highway speeds. I might be more wary if I was planning to drive to the limits. It should be obvious when it starts to degrade. It'll begin to handle like the OEM runflats
Must admit, I haven't had a set of tires last longer than 6 years so it's never been an issue for me. I'd happily use that set and just keep an eye on them. The tire is designed to be used at 170 mph+ so should be capable of handling highway speeds. I might be more wary if I was planning to drive to the limits. It should be obvious when it starts to degrade. It'll begin to handle like the OEM runflats
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Im sure you would like to keep an eye on them. Lol. Actually theyre Y rated so that means 186+mph. Many 200mph cars use them and I was looking at a mojave mile or airstrip type of top end runs too, thats also why I was asking.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 13,281
Likes: 2,509
From: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Ashamed to admit it........ but I have some pilot sports that are 10 years old. I've not had the car out on any trips for a few years and have kept and eye on them. Over the last 12 months or so since I am going to replace them, I've been hammering them, lighting them up and the like every so often etc. I've had no problems so I doubt you will but keep an eye on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Manufacturers wanted 6 years as tire life, but the government would not "buy" it.
If tires are kept in a garage (out of sun) they will last longer. High performance tires will also last longer.
If tires are kept in a garage (out of sun) they will last longer. High performance tires will also last longer.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: L.A.
Tires degrade internally...steel belts oxidize, rubber and carbon break down. I'd have no problem with unused 6 year old P/S's that look great for the street...would I push them to their speed rating, not on your life.
I worked for Firestone in their claims department for 10 years and saw a lot of defective tires. We had very strict policy on speed rated tires based on engineering and Firehawk racing development.
I worked for Firestone in their claims department for 10 years and saw a lot of defective tires. We had very strict policy on speed rated tires based on engineering and Firehawk racing development.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Champaign Illinois
I have had the original Goodyear's on my '04 w/13K on it and haven't noticed any issues, but I do have a fear of dry rot. I was told that a lot of tire shine products have enough alcohol in them that they will degrade the tires and cause them to dry out.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,401
Likes: 141
From: Summerville South Carolina
I noticed loss of traction
and a hard tread feel to my 10 year old EMTs on my 2001. I could break it loose without even trying and I could break the rear end loose on corners when I really wanted traction. They only had 13K on them. Are gone for a set of Pilot AS Plus non EMT. These are quiet , smooth and give me all the traction I can handle. Got the Stop and Go Plugger kit and compressor in the rear compartment.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Tires degrade internally...steel belts oxidize, rubber and carbon break down. I'd have no problem with unused 6 year old P/S's that look great for the street...would I push them to their speed rating, not on your life.
I worked for Firestone in their claims department for 10 years and saw a lot of defective tires. We had very strict policy on speed rated tires based on engineering and Firehawk racing development.
I worked for Firestone in their claims department for 10 years and saw a lot of defective tires. We had very strict policy on speed rated tires based on engineering and Firehawk racing development.