10 Year Old Tires - Keep or Replace?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2022
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10 Year Old Tires - Keep or Replace?
Just curious what your thoughts are on 10 year old tires. 2014 C7 with original Michelin Pilot super sport zp tires with only 6500 miles and still a lot of tread. SHould i go ahead and replace with new?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
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5-7 years is the most you should trust tires to do anything sporty. If you want to keep it put up forever or only use it in parades, probably fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,075
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From: Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
I know that many are more cautious than I am, but I ran my C5 factory run flats until they were about a dozen years old before replacing them...basically until the tread was low enough, and even then I did it in pairs as the rears wore out sooner. I'll likely do the same with my C7 tires...they're only 3 years old now so plenty of time left in my mind.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Virginia
Just depends on how you use your Corvette.
If visually ok, no cracking etc and just low impact around town driving you should be fine. If any degree of spirted/performance and/or long distant driving then replace them.
If visually ok, no cracking etc and just low impact around town driving you should be fine. If any degree of spirted/performance and/or long distant driving then replace them.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: USA - Already a great country!
[QUOTE=DFWC7;1605336630]Just curious what your thoughts are on 10 year old tires. 2014 C7 with original Michelin Pilot super sport zp tires with only 6500 miles and still a lot of tread. SHould i go ahead and replace with new?[/QUOTE
I would replace them. Tires are the one thing you don't want to take chances on - you are totally reliant on those 4 patches of rubber connecting you to the road.
I would replace them. Tires are the one thing you don't want to take chances on - you are totally reliant on those 4 patches of rubber connecting you to the road.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: USA - Already a great country!
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
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Discount tire won't patch a tire over 7 years old. 10 years old, the tire is probably dry and the traction is waning. As Kevin said above, normal driving should be OK as long as no cracking but if you want maximum traction or go into "spirited/performance" or go on a long trip in the heat, I'd replace them. I'm on my 2nd set of "sticky" tires and my next set will be the A/S +4.
Elmer
Elmer
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Santa Fe Tx
Replace
Strength of tires after 5 or 6 years is questionable. they are subject to "dry rot" . has nothing to do with surface cracks in rubber
I'd go to nearest Discount Tire and get their thoughts too
Strength of tires after 5 or 6 years is questionable. they are subject to "dry rot" . has nothing to do with surface cracks in rubber
I'd go to nearest Discount Tire and get their thoughts too
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
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From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Six years maximum is the recommendation, but anything eight years or older is a no brainer. REPLACE THEM! If you are like a lot of owners around here that hardly ever drive, and drive like an old man when they do drive, keep'm. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,248
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From: Lindenhurst, IL
Like ALL rubber - tire compounds get hard & start to break down over time. If your car spends 95% of its life in a garage, the tires are probably fine for a couple more years of gentle cruising. If you drive you car aggressively AT ALL, I recommend replacing them. The rubber is definitely going to be much harder than it was when it was new, whether you see cracking or not.
Directly from the Michelin website:
A few milestones and tips:
1. Keep five years in mind
After five years or more in use, your tires should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year by a professional.
2. Ten years is a maximum
If the tires haven't been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tires. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. This applies to spare tires as well.
Directly from the Michelin website:
A few milestones and tips:
1. Keep five years in mind
After five years or more in use, your tires should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year by a professional.
2. Ten years is a maximum
If the tires haven't been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tires. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. This applies to spare tires as well.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 64
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From: Missouri
I bought a 14 with 5800 miles and original 2013 dated tires. I had new ones ordered thru Tire Rack before I took possession of the car. Not taking a chance on rubber that old. They do lots of damage when they come apart at speed....
Pro
Joined: Mar 2021
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Has anyone ever heard of a tire failing because it was 10 years old and in good condition? I never have although if I was driving the car hard on a track I would replace them. It also probably depends on the climate you live in as to how long they will last. I would not replace mine if they were in good shape and ten years old.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Without a doubt replace old performance tires. What's more important, a little cash or a potential failure when you're driving... shall we say "spiritedly?" All the best and stay safe. 
Administrator
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Personally I would replace them - I do not like to keep tires on a car past 6-7 years since so much depends on them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,415
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Old tires may continue to hold air and may not show signs of cracking or dry rot, but the rubber compound itself hardens over time, and after 4-5 years, will have significantly less traction than when new. Get a little too lively with the throttle or too hard/late on the brakes with old tires, you could be in for an unpleasant surprise.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...-tire-age-myth
https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintena...our-tires.html
I would not keep tires longer than 5 years. Replace.
https://www.revzilla.com/common-trea...-tire-age-myth
https://www.edmunds.com/car-maintena...our-tires.html
I would not keep tires longer than 5 years. Replace.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,282
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From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Many years ago I bought an old Ferrari with 10 year old tires. Wasn't too concerned until some idiot pulled out in front of me. My tires were hard, didn't brake well, and I almost hit him. So even if you drive slowly and carefully, you never know when you'll need good tires.