Topic: When to replace tires from age

[lightwtjet]

   Manufacturers recommend replacing car tires every 6 years and for sure by 10 years. Trailer tires (ST) should be replaced every 5 years. I have exceeded those numbers on vehicles with low miles, and garage kept, but I have also had tires on my boat trailer blow out unexpectedly without any visual suggestion they were failing.
On insurance claims of tire-related incidents it was found that 77% occurred in hot-climate states, and 8 4% were based on tires more than six years old.
I have reduced speeds knowing these facts. What are your findings?

[Bob Gaines]

   Manufacturers recommend replacing car tires every 6 years and for sure by 10 years. Trailer tires (ST) should be replaced every 5 years. I have exceeded those numbers on vehicles with low miles, and garage kept, but I have also had tires on my boat trailer blow out unexpectedly without any visual suggestion they were failing.
On insurance claims of tire-related incidents it was found that 77% occurred in hot-climate states, and 8 4% were based on tires more than six years old.
I have reduced speeds knowing these facts. What are your findings?

It looks like you have the prevailing information from what have been told by all the tire stores .

[J_Speegle]

Back before al the warnings I'm pretty sure many of us ran tires well past the Use by date writing about in more recent years. Now with this knowledge and if you accept it or reject it is up to you. Damage from past due tires through the insurance may be an issue for you or others but bottom line is that you have to make your own choices since your the one that has to live with the results.

Found that I dislike replacing brand new but old tires so often since many are just holding the cars up off the ground. Also have purchased tires over 6 years ago that have never been put on a car as of yet. Please do not follow my choices their mine, mine, mine 

[rhjanes]

I've walked out and found an exploded trailer tire once or twice.  One time I was working on the yard, and looked at a trailer and thought "Why is that cat perched on top of the tire?"   Then I realized the cords had blown out and the "Cat" were thread of the steel belt.  Trailer tires just up and die, sometimes quickly.  I think trailer tires are stretching it past 5 years.  My 1969 Coupe had a "Gas Station" tire for a spare.  It was in there probably from the late 1970's.   Last set of tires I put on (car sits inside), I decided to do the spare.  The tire man told me when they put it on the dismount tool, the tire just broke...hard rubber. 

[BobV]

It depends....
Below is a tire that was 8 years old, BUT the car had sat. Outside. With that side exposed to the sun.
When I bought that car, I checked tire pressures & fluids and headed home; the result below happened 100 miles later. Could have been disastrous. Sounded like a couple rocks popping out of the tread at 75mph, then it BLEW 3 seconds later.

A car that sits inside, out of sun / ozone, I MIGHT consider 10 years for local use, with frequent checks. If I'm going to travel, nope, 7-8 years is it.

I had to replace tires on the 86 Saleen last year after ~12k miles over 9 years and 100% indoor storage (with 75% tread remaining). Had a roundtrip drive from Kansas City to Albuquerque. Just not worth the risk. Same situation coming up next year with our late-model...

[MrBill]

   Manufacturers recommend replacing car tires every 6 years and for sure by 10 years. Trailer tires (ST) should be replaced every 5 years. I have exceeded those numbers on vehicles with low miles, and garage kept, but I have also had tires on my boat trailer blow out unexpectedly without any visual suggestion they were failing.
On insurance claims of tire-related incidents it was found that 77% occurred in hot-climate states, and 8 4% were based on tires more than six years old.
I have reduced speeds knowing these facts. What are your findings?

For the last 30 years, I've subscribed to the 6 year plan, having 7+ cars and a car trailer it can get pricey, but all it took was a blowout on one of my vintage dual purpose convertibles (no AC), and sitting on the side of the road for two hours waiting for a flatbed, all while baking in the hot sun. That experience taught me to be proactive and not reactive when it came to the safety of myself, and those I may have with me. Trailer wise, the same, every 4-6 years.

 

[jwc66k]

For the last 30 years, I've subscribed to the 6 year plan,

I agree. However, the two previous owners of my 66 GT Fastback 289 HP thankfully did not include the spare tire in that plan. Here are some pictures of that spare, on its original Style Steel Rim. I've replaced the driving tires with newer Coker Tire Dual Red-Line Wheels. I bought the car in 1996. The two previous owners and I all worked for Ford Aerospace in Palo Alto, Ca.
Note: This is a dual red-line, "Super Safety 800-XP", has no "scallops" from sidewall to tread and very little road use. This is what was supplied in October 1965 for a San Jose built 1966 Mustangs with the Dual Red-Line option (and possibly the HP option was required).
Jim

[Laurie S.]

I go longer on my DD and 68 fastback.  But, I replace my trailer tires every two years.  I keep them covered, but the Arizona desert can dry them out quickly.  It is no fun changing tires on a 22-foot-long enclosed trailer.