Ageing tyres, opinions?
Discussion
I have some new wheels going on my MX5 soon and need tyres. I already have a set of Uniroyal Rainsports - but, I bought them for another project in 2002 that didn't go anywhere and they've sat brand new and unused since...
They've been covered outdoors or stored in my garage, do we think they'll still be safe to use?
They've been covered outdoors or stored in my garage, do we think they'll still be safe to use?
What do you use the MX5 for? I don't think I'd use them for motorway work but they might be OK for urban driving. Strictly speaking we should advise you against using them but if they've been stored properly you might like to get some value from them. Watch for signs of perishing, especially in the grooves of the tyre pattern.
Quote from Bridgestone for you:
"How old is too old?
This is a subject of much debate within the tyre industry and no tyre expert can tell exactly how long a tyre will last. However, on the results of experience many tyre companies, including Bridgestone, warrant their tyres against manufacturing and material defects for five years from the date of manufacture. Based on their understanding a number of vehicle manufacturers are now advising against the use of tyres that are more than six years old due to the effects of ageing."
http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/passenger/care...
One thing I can say for sure is that tyres on used caravans usually have lots of tread but are completely knackered. Little road use, but lots of exposure to sunlight.
"How old is too old?
This is a subject of much debate within the tyre industry and no tyre expert can tell exactly how long a tyre will last. However, on the results of experience many tyre companies, including Bridgestone, warrant their tyres against manufacturing and material defects for five years from the date of manufacture. Based on their understanding a number of vehicle manufacturers are now advising against the use of tyres that are more than six years old due to the effects of ageing."
http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/passenger/care...
One thing I can say for sure is that tyres on used caravans usually have lots of tread but are completely knackered. Little road use, but lots of exposure to sunlight.
It will be used for urban, no long stretches at speed on the motorway. Your posts reassure me a bit as my thoughts are they look 'as new', no signs of aging, and the car doesn't weigh much spread across 195 45 15 tyres from a decent brand.
I once had a set of tyres on my old Mr2 that had hardened and they were like ice on glass in the wet. I might put them on and judge what they feel like
I once had a set of tyres on my old Mr2 that had hardened and they were like ice on glass in the wet. I might put them on and judge what they feel like
If they look ok, no signs of cracking etc, I'd drive on them for a bit and see how they fair.
If driving brings to light any potential defects, then change them. If not, work away.
The age thing is is so hard to quantify, Ive seen tyres 10 years old that look perfect and behave entirely as expected and Ive seen tyres less then a year old cracked and looking very poorly.
If anything, modern rubber seems more prone to deteriorating faster than older stuff.
If driving brings to light any potential defects, then change them. If not, work away.
The age thing is is so hard to quantify, Ive seen tyres 10 years old that look perfect and behave entirely as expected and Ive seen tyres less then a year old cracked and looking very poorly.
If anything, modern rubber seems more prone to deteriorating faster than older stuff.
Yeah, drive on them, see how they fair, chance em. You may find that when driving on them highlights any defects it MAY just be too late to save you or other road users from injury or death no matter what kind of driving you do. How many people up there thinking mmmmm, should've bought those new tyres?.
thebirdman said:
Yeah, drive on them, see how they fair, chance em. You may find that when driving on them highlights any defects it MAY just be too late to save you or other road users from injury or death no matter what kind of driving you do. How many people up there thinking mmmmm, should've bought those new tyres?.
Well lets face it, people trust the cheapest brand new crap wan-kings from china or all sorts of places.So really...how bad can a reputable brand a few years old be ? I suspect not that much. At worst the rubber on the outside may deteriorate slightly or go hard. The actual base construction of the tyre will still be sound.
I don't think I'd use them for freeway perform but they might be OK for city generating. In fact we should counsel you against using them but if they've been saved effectively you might like to get some value from them. Observe out for symptoms and symptoms of passing away, especially in the lines of the tire design . . . . . . . . . .
Here's my post from earlier in the thread:
Locknut said:
What do you use the MX5 for? I don't think I'd use them for motorway work but they might be OK for urban driving. Strictly speaking we should advise you against using them but if they've been stored properly you might like to get some value from them. Watch for signs of perishing, especially in the grooves of the tyre pattern.
And here's Peterson's post:Peterson said:
I don't think I'd use them for freeway perform but they might be OK for city generating. In fact we should counsel you against using them but if they've been saved effectively you might like to get some value from them. Observe out for symptoms and symptoms of passing away, especially in the lines of the tire design . . . . . . . . . .
It's like as though a Google translate was done on my post and then another Google translate to bring it back to "English", Have we a bug in the system? What's going on?Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff