Tires

Cyrano

Cyrano

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I was reading the instruction book (522 pages) on my 2009 Chrysler. No, not for the first time! Found this alarming warning: "Tires and spare tires should be replaced after six years, regardless of the remaining tread. Failure to follow this warning can result in sudden tire failure. You could lose control and have an accident resulting in serious injury or death".

What's going on here? Have the tire manuracturers found a way to make tires self destruct after six years so we have to buy new ones? Anybody else have a car manual with that warning? I'd hate to have a tire fail when I'm driving on I-10 in mid-Texas where the speed limit is 80 MPH.
 
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Gotta watch em close when they get old. I try to trade every one or two years so I don't have to worry about such stuff.
 
Um...You been living in a cave for the last few decades? Tires have an expiration date printed right on 'em. Better go check yours. Bet they're expired.
 
From Jeff's link above: "Even if there are no signs of rot, the industry standard is to swap out tires before they hit 10 years old, and some tire companies recommend replacement as early as six years after manufacture."

My car is five years old. Still got a lotta tread on 'em, but I don't think that is the sole measure anymore. (Maybe because the tread lasts so long nowadays?) Last inspection, maybe a month ago, the dealer told me I'd best get new tires next inspection.

I am not a car guy, but I do believe tires must be one of the, if not the, most important parts of the car in terms of safe driving.
 
On my Porsche 911's I replace the tires every four years regardless of the milage/tread on the tires. A new tire purchased and stored unused in the garage will deteriorate with time. The rubber will harden and the tire will develop less traction.
 
This was always so, but people just say it out loud now. I replaced the tyres on my SUV after 9 years here in Vegas even though there was loads of tread left. The sidewalls were covered in cracks.

Some performance summer tyres don't do well in the desert. The Dunlop Maxx's on my first Jag were hockey pucks after 3.5 years in Palm Springs and Vegas. I know one shop here that refuses to sell Michelin PS2 summer tyres because they got tired of customers returning after six months complaining they had gone rock hard.
 
Not only do tires dry-rot after a few years, they also stiffen up and tires become less flexible causing skid out.

As we speak, my Harley is getting two new tires and NOT because the tread is shot - but they are over 3 years old. As important as it is on a 4 wheeled vehicle, it is ESSENTIAL on Motorcycles!! On MC's we lean and the tires must have a sticky property and be able to grab the road surface without skidding.

Don't forget to flush out and fill your Brake System with new and proper type brake fluid every 3 years or so. Another thing many people forget or do not know to do. Brake fluid absorbs water and brakes work less efficiently over time. It happens slowly over time and many people don't notice until they have a problem. If you can't or do not want to do this yourself, pay a Pro to do it - it's not that expensive and only takes a half hour or so. Make SURE new brake fluid comes out of a NEW and SEALED can! Make SURE the correct type of fluid is used!
 
My 2004 Jeep gets little use except fall hunting season. But even sitting in the garage, the tires ( I buy Firestone or Good-year) show checking after about 4 or five years. So I'm on my 3rd set ( battery the same) in only 12 years and a total of 62000 miles.:)
 
Tires have a 'day code'(week and year of manufacture) in an 'oval' located near the bead typically on the other side. 7 years has been replacement age.
4312 as an example would be 43rd week of 2012.
 
...looks like that right rear just reached it's expiration date...

1atires.png
 
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Definitely a believer in replacement based on age,have seen a number of failures over the last few years. Read a few road tests and you will see that modern tires make a huge difference in how vehicles handle and brake.
 
It's always been that way. Based on your climate and the chemical makeup of your tire. If left unused they can and will dry and crack and not to mention create flat spots from sitting too long. However, I don't think most people get that far. I know I'm pushing it with 2 years. By a year and a half they're ready to be replaced. If this happens around spring then I'll wait till late fall otherwise I'll change them out

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Most people drive 12K - 15K miles per year so in 6 years their tires would have 72K - 90K miles on them. There are very few tires which have tread life greater than 60K miles. The six year replacement makes a lot of sense to me.
 
I've seen "dangerous" tires 5 years old due to sidewall and tread cracks....and 40 year old tires that are fine. It's not age that "kills" a tire,it is living conditions. If the tires are constantly out in the sun,rain,cold and heat..they deteriorate very rapidly. If those same tires are on a car stored indoors,climate controlled environment..they will last for decades.With the car up on blocks,they won't even flat spot. New tires stored indoors with a temp that does not go below 40 or above 75 will last for decades as well. Massachusetts was going to start checking dates on tires during yearly safety inspections and failing them if over 6 years,but the tire companies stepped in and put a stop to it, as many times the tires they sell are already "outdated". Quality of construction also comes into play. Michelins will out-age any chinese tire, if used in the same fashion. I buy a lot of tires for customer cars from various sources and most of the time those "new" tires are 4-6 years old. I've seen one year old tires come apart..and 40 year old tires that service fine..so dates are just a general user guide. Buy the best that you can afford,and treat them well. After all,they are the most important item between your car and the road.
 
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Yes, time and conditions takes a toll on tires but also keep in mind tire demands. If a vehicle is going to be used for heavy loads or towing it's a bit more of a concern.

My mother lives in California and got a flat. AAA came to swap the spare but said they would not because of the age of the spare. Don't know if that was an AAA policy or California law.
 
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