Old tires = Dangerous Tires - what to know

[james t kirk]

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

Interesting.

I did not know how to read the age of tires - this could seriously come in handy.

I've been thinking about replacing a set of tires on my hobby car that are probably around 14 or 15 years old. Needless to say, they're gone now.

This little link is great though in that it teaches you how to read the date of manufacture.

No sense buying "new tires" that are in fact 7 years old.

 

[ig-88]

What is a good rule of thumb as far as how many miles/km at which you should replace your tires?

 

[RTRD]

What is..

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

Interesting.

I did not know how to read the age of tires - this could seriously come in handy.

I've been thinking about replacing a set of tires on my hobby car that are probably around 14 or 15 years old. Needless to say, they're gone now.

This little link is great though in that it teaches you how to read the date of manufacture.

No sense buying "new tires" that are in fact 7 years old.

...a "hobby car"?

 

[james t kirk]

...a "hobby car"?

Triggered a reaction with that phrasing eh?

No, I mean, not my day to day driver.

It's small, it's convertable, it's red , it's old, it can only be driven in the summer, and it's a hell of a lot of fun to drive. My toy.

And it needs new tires.

 

[y2kmark]

A 66 VW Bus ...

...a "hobby car"?

with curtains in back and a bumper sticker reading "if this vans rockin', don't come knockin'?

 

[RTRD]

Triggered a reaction with that phrasing eh?

No, I mean, not my day to day driver.

It's small, it's convertable, it's red, it's old, it can only be driven in the summer, and it's a hell of a lot of fun to drive. My toy.

And it needs new tires.

...kewl.

I've given that sort of thing thought myself....for the cost of one of the type of car i am likely to buy, i could by a used daily driver and a used something fun.

But two cars would be problematic in my life right now....maybe if I ever go back to having a house...

 

[tboy]

...kewl.

I've given that sort of thing thought myself....for the cost of one of the type of car i am likely to buy, i could by a used daily driver and a used something fun.

But two cars would be problematic in my life right now....maybe if I ever go back to having a house...

I'm with you, I always wanted to build an FFR Cobra and use it for a summer car. I was this > < close to ordering one a few years ago but the BS Canadian import laws don't allow ANY kit cars to be brought into Canada. There were ways around it but it seemed way too complicated.

 

[Twister]

So does the rubber go bad?
Is it dangerous to drive with old tires even if the tread is good?
I thought the rubber had to show cracks in it to be considered garbage?

thanks

 

[bing]

I'm with you, I always wanted to build an FFR Cobra and use it for a summer car. I was this > < close to ordering one a few years ago but the BS Canadian import laws don't allow ANY kit cars to be brought into Canada. There were ways around it but it seemed way too complicated.

A neighbor of mine has a FFR Cobra, a nice car he built himself. He did mention
all the hassles he had getting it licenced. It's a car that has always been on my radar but I would buy one already built.

When I purchased my latest hobby car, the rubber was the first thing I replaced.
Never really thought of the age factor, just wanted a better tire. With rim sizes
getting bigger all the time, the choices are getting slimmer for older cars with
15 and 16 inch rims.

 

[tboy]

So does the rubber go bad?
Is it dangerous to drive with old tires even if the tread is good?
I thought the rubber had to show cracks in it to be considered garbage?

thanks

Well, that's what I thought too but obviously (according to that video) if a tire is showing cracks it's ready to fall apart.

Everything said in that video makes sense though: tires even if they've never been mounted are stored in a dry warehouse which wicks out moisture from the rubber. I'd even say that storing them is worse than using them because at least if they were being used, they'd be exposed to rain etc.

As for the FFR cobras. From what I understand you can buy one complete and registered in the US and bring it up here just like any other used vehicle. The even funnier thing (at least in the US) they are actually registered as a 196X Cobra......

 

[S.C. Joe]

...a "hobby car"?

I had one was great for picking up those S.W. in Detroit--funny nobody picked on me down there--but the car fit right in the area...


Tires can make the differance between losing control and just skidding for a second...even if they don't blow out on you, cheap or worn tires don't grip the road as good.

 

[james t kirk]

The tires I have on No. 2 car were bought in 92 or 93.

They still have more than enough tread left on them, however, they are getting old, too old to be safe, so out they go.

Given how primative this car is, it's not worth an accident, or worse, a roll over for a set of 4 tires. The best existing tire will replace my 34 year old spare tire.

 

[Ben Hogan]

I read recently that when tires are 5 years old is when you should consider getting new ones. The rubber becomes brittle and loses some of its grip.

 

[hairyfucker]

I read recently that when tires are 5 years old is when you should consider getting new ones. The rubber becomes brittle and loses some of its grip.

As a general rule for the masses that would be close. Actually on average it is a 6 - 7 year cycle but that is harder to calculate for the average person so 5 years is used.

More specifically, the age of the tire (if not used up) when replacement is suggested is dependent on composition, size, average temp and location of storage (i.e. outside v inside) and a few other variables. Bottom line is less than 10 years on high side and 4 - 5 on low side. Your planned driving style (coast v performance) on the older tire should also hedge your decision as to when to replace.

A few hundred is cheap insurance if you are not sure of the integrity of your rubber. innuendo intended

 

[S.C. Joe]

I'm a tire nut...for cars that I drive year round, snow, icy rain, etc. its new tires once 2/3 of the threads gone..and its all 4 new tires even if the front or back has 1/2 thread left.

I rather spend a few hundred then have to go slower to stay in control..plus we need not to have snow tires over here scine they are salt and plow happy..everywhere gets loaded with salt, ramps, parking lots, side streets, eveywhere..even sidewalks...makes a real mess on your shoes.

 

[james t kirk]

I just checked the date on my tires.

They were made in the tenth week of 1991.

So, they are 17 years old.

I think they're due.

 

[baci2004]

What does FFR stand for? I always thought it was an AC Cobra?

 

[dajodo2]

What does FFR stand for? I always thought it was an AC Cobra?

Factory Five Racing.

They manufacture kit Cobras not real ones.

www.factoryfive.com