Tires past their safe age

[ETsC10]

I posted a comment in 67-72 concerning the safety of
out-of-date tires and I think it deserves repeating here.

The bonding agents in tires deteriorate, not only through
heat and use but also through degradation by being
subjected to oxygen.
Recommended is no more than 6-10 years old.

Next time you buy new tires from a dealer, check the
date code on the back. Many dealers might store tires
for years so ask to pick out your own tire...find the newest.
If the dealer refuses, theres probably a reason...go elsewhere.

Never forget the tiny footprint your four tires roll on.
Never forget the tire may look great and might not be.

The code should look something like the illustration.

.

[Indian113]

Thanks, I had to replace the battery's in my motorhome this spring! It's a 08 and the batteries were 07. I checked my tires and they are 07 also I have less than 20,000 miles on them but I'm replacing them before I take my summer vacation. It costs a lot less to do it before your on the ROAD!!!!

[OC 72]

Thanks...that is good info!

[pritch]

Yeah-I had to go through this very thing last week. I was having some tires and wheels swapped around, and the tire store guy flat refused to re-mount my spare. Something about it being 27 years past it's out-dated date.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by pritch

Yeah-I had to go through this very thing last week. I was having some tires and wheels swapped around, and the tire store guy flat refused to re-mount my spare. Something about it being 27 years past it's out-dated date.

Hahaha Pritch! They should qualify for some kind of antiques award!!

You sir should carry a jack.

(jk)

[mbgmike]

Yeah we used to run used Indy 500 tires on our cars back in the 60's and 70's
Low profile had not come out yet. We learned then about compounds when the state banned us from using them on the street.

[Josh]

Very good info! Most people do not realize the importance of the shelf life of tires. I always try to buy tires that will be worn out within 6 years otherwise its just throwing away money when you have to replace them due to expiration even tho the tread is still good....

[Lee H]

Tire companies do not warrant tires past 8 years old no matter how good the tread looks. Your local tire store may do something for a good customer but it's on their own dime.

[NONHOG]

Never blown out a tire in 30 plus years of driving. I do plan on running fresh tires once I've done all the proper burnouts 1st!

[100%Chevy]

Here's a lot more tire info-
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
Worth reading!
Mike.

[ETsC10]

Right on Mike! This subject is so important and too often ignored.
Plus you've given us a lot of valuable links ... great Safety-related read!

BTW--I'm now glad I brouht this to the top again when so many of
us might be strapping on our winter tred soon.

Thanks for the link Mike...great resource!

[100%Chevy]

You're welcome!
Now,if people will take the time to read it all!
I've also found that the only American made tires are Cooper and Kelly Springfield.Cooper made here in Mississippi.
The rest are from anywhere!
Mike./

[truckdude239]

i know my rear tires on my f-150 been on the back for going on 11 years still have good tread but i'm starting to get scared of them

[jjzepplin]

While we are at it..Lets mention the problems that can arise from buying used tires! Very dangerous.

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

While we are at it..Lets mention the problems that can arise from buying used tires! Very dangerous.

EXACTLY! Used tires can be a bargain but check the dates, hints of belt breaks, etc.

[A.Bursell]

I bought my 67 still with Bias Ply tires on it. I think they are a couple years old now, can't find the date code.

Adam

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by A.Bursell

I bought my 67 still with Bias Ply tires on it. I think they are a couple years old now, can't find the date code.

Adam

Cool! A mystery to solve!

Adam, look for an embossed pad on the tire. The TIN (tire identification number) formats changed over the years so you might find a pad with just 3 digits or many. With this info, we can probably date the tire. Also note if you see DOT embossed on it or a little triangle near the pad.

[A.Bursell]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

Cool! A mystery to solve!

Adam, look for an embossed pad on the tire. The TIN (tire identification number) formats changed over the years so you might find a pad with just 3 digits or many. With this info, we can probably date the tire. Also note if you see DOT embossed on it or a little triangle near the pad.

It appears to be CB7498. It says DOT UTNL and then the code is next to it. What do you think?

Adam
Posted via Mobile Device

[ETsC10]

Originally Posted by Axle

Heres something to read and mull over, that is not sponsored by any tire sellers;
http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=1371

Bottom line, inspect the physical condition of the tires. Unless they've been sitting in the sun, they probably be fine. Alex.

Interesting link Alex.
Seeing opinions, both pro & con, can be a good thing.

Originally Posted by A.Bursell

It appears to be CB7498. It says DOT UTNL and then the code is next to it. What do you think?

Adam
Posted via Mobile Device

It appears to be made by Cooper Rubber (UT code).
The second digits should indicate the use and/or mold the factory used.

Date wise, it was made the 49th week of ??? ...if there is a little triangle
near the TIN, it would be 1998.
If there isn’t; it could have been made in 1998, 1988, 1978 or…

There is such muddled info on reading older tires that every time
I tried to tackle this I came up with different results.

Anyone else want to give it a shot?

[A.Bursell]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

It appears to be made by Cooper Rubber (UT code).
The second digits should indicate the use and/or mold the factory used.

Date wise, it was made the 49th week of ??? ...if there is a little triangle
near the TIN, it would be 1998.
If there isn’t; it could have been made in 1998, 1988, 1978 or…

There is such muddled info on reading older tires that every time
I tried to tackle this I came up with different results.

Anyone else want to give it a shot?

Wow-- I really dropped the ball on coming back to this thread. Anyway, here are a few pictures. It is in fact a Cooper tire, model is Super Road Master. I'm thinking they are from the 70's based on looks and sizing.

Adam

[Axle]

Heres something to read and mull over, that is not sponsored by any tire sellers;
http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=1371

Bottom line, inspect the physical condition of the tires. Unless they've been sitting in the sun, they probably be fine.

Dan Zielinski, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, for the Rubber Manufacturers Association in Washington, DC, told me that his association "does not recommend a removal date for tires based on age because there's no scientific information to back it up." He explained that extensive studies of thousands of junkyard tires do not back up the notion that tires just deteriorate with time.

Alex.

[Old Truck Man]

Yes radial tires go bad when they age. Brand new radials commonly fail. Bias ply tires if kept properly inflated can still be usable for decades. The 8ply rated bias rough tread tires that are on my stock trailer have a date of 035. and they have tubes are inflated to 60 LBS. I pulled them off a 4 wheel drive and put them on my trailer 12 years ago. never had any flats and the bias follow better than radials. They are weather cracked but Im going to use them until they fail. I hauled cattle to Ash Flat Ark last month a 100 mile round trip. No problems or worries. Pulled it with my 66 GMC that also has used older bias tires. My tilt top trailer has very old 15 in 12 ply bias mounted on split rims. they originally where on a lowboy trailer that hauled bulldozers. Same thing they have tubes and 100 lbs of air give me good service. . Ive got some 825 &900 20 bias tires still in service on 2 ton truck,s that are 40 years old. Go to any tire shop look at the discards you will see plenty of radials with deep tread and the bias ply will be worn slick. Radials become junk very quickly. Ill run a bias as long as its round & black and still holds air. I was running a set of ancient 19.5 rough tread bias on the rear of my 64 chev 3/4 a few years ago. Part of the tread came off. never went flat. however I was doing a steady 68Mph on a hot day on the 4 lane 67. had been to little rock and was returning home when it came apart near Bradford ar.
I never even slowed up made it home Ok.

[imjeff]

The date stamping requirement didn't start until 2000 and then, coincidentally I'm sure, around 2010 or so the "we can't fix your old tire" line started. Just recently I've had friends tell me they were forced to buy new tires since they were ten years old and were refused repair of even a valve stem. I've seen tires (not ten years old) fail because of overloading and under inflation. I'm willing to bet those two conditions account for more blowouts than age. My 15 year old, well maintained, good tread, parked inside tires have to be replaced, but the 5 year old beaten to death ones don't. Personally, it looks like another arbitrary standard. I have many vehicles, buy quality tires, maintain them, but must replace them so I won't be refused service when I need a flat fixed. I just bought 5 new tires today for a cool $1000 of hard-earned cash....and told them they had better be "fresh". Don't but tires that have been on the shelf for a couple years, they won't care in 8.

[Old Truck Man]

Originally Posted by imjeff

The date stamping requirement didn't start until 2000 and then, coincidentally I'm sure, around 2010 or so the "we can't fix your old tire" line started. Just recently I've had friends tell me they were forced to buy new tires since they were ten years old and were refused repair of even a valve stem. I've seen tires (not ten years old) fail because of overloading and under inflation. I'm willing to bet those two conditions account for more blowouts than age. My 15 year old, well maintained, good tread, parked inside tires have to be replaced, but the 5 year old beaten to death ones don't. Personally, it looks like another arbitrary standard. I have many vehicles, buy quality tires, maintain them, but must replace them so I won't be refused service when I need a flat fixed. I just bought 5 new tires today for a cool $1000 of hard-earned cash....and told them they had better be "fresh". Don't but tires that have been on the shelf for a couple years, they won't care in 8.

Rather than spend $1000 on tires it might have been prudent to invest in a tire machine and tire balancer tire irons ect. I have a few tire machines. we fix all our own flats. Im the only guy around that fixes the old split rim truck tires. I simply carry two spare,s when going on a trip away from home. you can find used tire machines at reasonable on craigslist & auctions.

[Blue Rat]

Originally Posted by Old Truck Man

Rather than spend $1000 on tires it might have been prudent to invest in a tire machine and tire balancer tire irons ect. I have a few tire machines. we fix all our own flats. Im the only guy around that fixes the old split rim truck tires. I simply carry two spare,s when going on a trip away from home. you can find used tire machines at reasonable on craigslist & auctions.

Are you talking about the wheels that go together in the middle or the 10.00x20 type wheels with the ring on the outside? I will do any of them except the ones that go together in the middle of the wheel.