Tyres how old is too old?

[Cotty]

I was thinking about tyres recently. When I changed the wheels on my BMW I bought new tyres but that was maybe getting on for 10 years ago. I don't do many miles as year so have lots of tread and pass the MOT each year but I realise that most things have a life.

I was reading this link and thought I should replace them.
http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/buying...

I might go the whole hog and refurb the spare set of Hartge 15" wheels I have and put the new tyres on them. Would probably work out about £500

[BritishRacinGrin]

10 years, manufacturers say 6

[anonymous-user]

A lot depends on how they've been stored, but at 10 years I'd definitely be looking at replacing them.

They may look fine but my understanding is that the rubber is likely to be degrading by that age.

[R_U_LOCAL]

I seem to remember some advice that unused tyres which have been in storage should not be used if they are over 6 years old, but tures which have been in use - albeit infrequent use - should be fine up to 10 years old.

But general advice is not to use any tyres over 10 years old.

Nice wheels by the way.

[RenesisEvo]

After some fairly scary snap-oversteer moments in my first car which turned out to have tyres between 9 and 12 years old (with plenty of tread), I'd stick with around 6 years old at the very most. Usage or not, exposure to light degrades the compound over time. Some desert countries recommend replacement every 3 years regardless due to the level of UV exposure.

Tyres are the most important part of the car so why chance it - what cost your life?

[Cotty]

BritishRacinGrin said:

10 years, manufacturers say 6

Well the link from Michelin says "if the tyres have not been replaced 10 years from their date of manufacture, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres"

From this and the other comments ill get some new tyres and get the proper E30 Hartge wheels put on the touring after a refurb. Got the last set done by Lepsons so will go with them again.

[Foppo]

Ten years? No thanks five years max to replace tyres,not worth your live driving on degrading rubber.

[JustADay]

Cotty said:

BritishRacinGrin said:

10 years, manufacturers say 6

Well the link from Michelin says "if the tyres have not been replaced 10 years from their date of manufacture, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres"

From this and the other comments ill get some new tyres and get the proper E30 Hartge wheels put on the touring after a refurb. Got the last set done by Lepsons so will go with them again.

Sounds like the sensible choice. The tyres on my Westfield had only done 9000 miles but were 13 years old- as a result they still had tons of tread but were rock hard, hence had little grip. Putting 4 new tyres on was one of the best things I've ever done with that car!

[Cotty]

Foppo said:

Ten years? No thanks five years max to replace tyres,not worth your life driving on degrading rubber.

I have just been popping out to the shops, getting some groceries so low speeds. Car is mainly garaged to no exposure to uv light, no cracking of the sidewall, generally good condition.

Its not like I have been doing this recently

[BFG TERRANO]

FWIW most caravan dealers change anything over 5 years old regardless of condition

[davepoth]

Bear in mind the tyres probably weren't brand new when you bought them either - it's not uncommon for them to sit on the rack in a tyre place for a while.

I'd get them changed, and then drive the car a lot more; if they've still got decent tread after all these years you've not done very many miles at all.

[Cotty]

BFG TERRANO said:

FWIW most caravan dealers change anything over 5 years old regardless of condition

Caravans tend to spend most of their life outside so exposed to uv light, standing for long periods in heat and cold etc.

[Triumph Man]

PH 5 minutes, after that they are part worn and dangerous /PH

[LaurasOtherHalf]

Replaced the wife's when they were about 6 years old iirc, they were fine by tread but were perishing in the treads according to our mech. He had nothing to gain by bullstting us either as he doesn't do tyres

[zebra]

My tyres last a year at best and that is a total of 6000 at most; usually about 4000 miles.

[ILoveMondeo]

Not to mention tyre technology has come on a bit in a decade.

To help justify it, it can easily be called an upgrade!

[007 VXR]

ILoveMondeo said:

Not to mention tyre technology has come on a bit in a decade.

To help justify it, it can easily be called an upgrade!

I like you thinking