When do you need to worry about the age of your tires??

[toms68cst]

My low-mileage truck has done a lot of sitting in the last 20 years or so. All the tires were on the truck when I bought the truck about 5-6 years ago. I'm currently using it as a cruiser, light hauler right now.

I'm wondering if I should replace the tires on my truck due to their age. They are all radials. They are a mis-matched set. One pair is Sears Guardsman M+S all-season radial with pretty good tread yet and no date code that I could find (I'll have to check out the other side) and one pair is some off-beat el-cheapo no-name POS pair with a date code of 408. They have pretty good tread left too. The 408 date code on the el-cheapo tires means either 1998 or 1988 from what I've read on the internet. Since I know they weren't replaced in 1998 they must be from 1988 or even 1978.

My question is after 14 years (Or more??) should tires be replaced even if they have good tread and no other obvious flaws or cracks?


I need some way to justify the $$$ of a new set of tires to my wife! I got to thinking about this while crusing down I-95 today at 70mph+! Can I really trust my tires?

Thanks, Tom

[too much stuff]

Tires are stronger than most people think. If they are worn evenly, no broken cords, no wheather checking, and go down the road nice, i guess i would not worry about it. If you need to justify to the wife, then yes, they are a ticking time bomb!!! You should buy a set of high perf. white letter radials right away! (just to be safe, of course) Hope this helps.

[Hooter]

even if they have good tread,the tires are older technology, you would be a lot safer with new tires that grip the road better and disipate water better to prevent hydroplaining

[Lippyp]

I've just had to replace all four tyres as they all had cracks running around the side walls due to old age, the bummer was they all had plenty of tread left on them. I have no idea how old they were, could well have been on the truck when it came to the UK from California so may have been sat in the sun for a while.

I would say if there are no visible cracks or crazing or other damage on the tyres (remember to check the inside wall too) then you're OK, the only thing is they may have gone a bit hard and not be gripping as well. If there 1988 dated tyres I would think of replacing them as they may well be past their best.

[SEVEND2]

WELL IMO (only?)
If you asking and haveing second thoughts about them Change them, to ease your mind

Last thing we need/you need is a Blow out and get injured or???



And when you do this and you see blisters or Wire
Change them

[Huck]

Tires and brakes keep you alive. They whould be a higher priority then anything chrome, comfortable or pretty. If money is an issue, spring for two new ones for the front first as a rear blowout is not a bad as a front one. Just my .02

[ChevLoRay]

She says it's because when you do, you don't get anything that you can show off, or hold in your hand. But, she is grateful that in the 22 years we've been married she hasn't had any blowouts or awakened to but one flat tire. We've only been inconvenienced by a dead battery three times....two of them died at a Wal-Mart. One of them died at a Sears.

The tires on my '69 have less than 10K miles on the rears. I've had them for almost 4 years. I will probably replace them in a year, or so, and use them on a trailer I have. But, keeping them clean and protected with ArmorAll (for instance), helps. Also, the RV'ers use protective covers for their tires to slow the effects of sunshine on the rubber.

In your case, I'd seriously consider replacing them. You'll have peace of mind, at 70MPH AND a better ride, along with better wet weather performance. Tires do get brittle with age, even if they don't weather-check, or have air showing. Radials seem to handle aging, better than bias ply tires.

My $.05 worth.

[Jeff M.]

My tires are 8 years old with about 12K on them. I just had a bubble develop on one of the fronts. Replaced the fronts and am looking to do the same to the rears. Tires look good, truck garaged, but time has taken its toll. After about 5 years or so inspect them often. Nothing worse than to have a tire go bad when your away from home.