Tyres - how old is too old?

[Sevenman]

This seems like the best forum for a tyre question.


I have just bought a low-mileage TVR Tamora, which is in good condition, including a quick inspection of the tyres for tread / condition. Toyo Proxes T1-S all round.

However, I took a closer look yesterday evening and the sidewalls indicate that the tyres were made in the 16th week of 2002 (front) and 16th week of 2003 (rear).

A set of pictures of the sidewall markings are at this link - Blog post on tyres - and repeated below.

Am I reading the sidewalls correctly to believe that I have vintage tyres?

Seems quite possible given only 13,500 miles since it was new in 2002, light weight of the vehicle and if it hasn't been tracked.

Not great coming into winter for a fast car. I can't really face changing them now and would rather see out winter carefully (it is an occasional car), and then scrub them at some driver training / trackday next year and put some new tyres on.

Does anybody have an opinion on this approach?


Driver's side front



Driver's side rear

[Munter]

The last time I thought "Those are a bit old despite lots of tread, I'll change them in a month or so", the OH span the car into some barriers. (2nd hand set of wheels came with tyres, which I was going to swap off for my "good" tyres...in a bit...should have done it right away)

Toyo T1-S? They stopped making them quite a while back I think. If it was me. I'd change them now.

[Sevenman]

Munter said:

If it was me. I'd change them now.

That's what I was worried the result would be. It is a lot of £ having just paid for the car last week |

But what price on safety? I can just drive it very slowly...

[Mr2Mike]

They aren't great tyres anyway, the sidewalls are made from jelly.

[Sevenman]

I am new to TVR ownership, but apparently T1-S were a popular choice on the Tamora / T350s. Given the ages, they may well have been factory fit.

I have used Bridgestone Potenza (S03/RE050A) in the past for fast road / track but it seems they are not liked by TVR drivers.

Edited by Sevenman on Thursday 3rd November 17:10

[Tunku]

I understood that any tyre over 4 to 5 years old was suspect. If there are signs of crazing on the sidewalls it's game over.

[chard]

I would change them, not just grip but peace of mind. Your enjoyment of the car will be spoiled if you are traveling down the motorway with the nagging thought in the back of your mind "what if a tyre blows"

Put it down to experience and next time spot an opportunity to haggle harder.

[andy rob]

are you sure that is the date stamp ?
noramally there are oly 4 nos together for date stamp, as you said 16th weeks od 2002 = 1602 but this would be a four digit no on it own ??
If so 8yr old is old but it also depends on the condition of them, if cars been in garage most of life they will be much better than ones that have seen to much sun & have lots of cracks on sidewalls

Often tyres are 3-4 yrs old before they are fitted as there is no law against how old they can be & still be sold as 'new'

Edited by andy rob on Friday 4th November 16:13

[Nick3point2]

That isn't the DOT code.


The DOT code will be 4 numbers in isolation, and will only be on one sidewall of the tyre. I'll take a few pics of DOT codes on tyres I have lying around to show what you are looking for.


They only look max 3-4 years old to me anyway, so I wouldn't worry just yet.

[Comadis]

"They only look max 3-4 years old to me anyway, so I wouldn't worry just yet"

you must have "visionary power"? how you could "see" from a sidewall picture how old the tyre is??

but i must agree: the pictured number doenst look as the usual DOT number.

anyway...if the tyre has that age...bin it...it has lost its grip and it does not make fun driving a TVR without / or reduced grip

are you sure they arnt produced anymore? there are certain web-shops still listing them for sale.

Edited by Comadis on Saturday 19th November 09:58

[rm55]

My Tuscan had T1-S tyres when I got it. Twice on damp cold roads (i.e. this time of year) I touched the gas in 4th gear (about 2000 rpm) and the back stepped out instantly - we're talking at about 30mph here too. I've never had a car before or since with so little grip.

After I got new tyres (Vredstein Sessanta) this never happened - although I learnt to be careful on cold greasy roads.

Toyo T1-Rs replaced the T1-S in late 2005/early 2006 I think.

[Nick3point2]

Comadis said:

"They only look max 3-4 years old to me anyway, so I wouldn't worry just yet"

you must have "visionary power"? how you could "see" from a sidewall picture how old the tyre is??

Worked in tyre centres for about 4 years so came across quite a few tyres in my years.

What I meant by it wasn't a definitive age of the tyre, just that the rubber doesn't look to be showing any signs of age and so it probably won't be deteriorating.