Tires past their safe age

[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.