Tires

[6768chevylover]

I had bought a truck that the guy claimed the tires were brand new and only have about 1000 mile on them. After doing research, i found that the tires are 11 years old. They are from 2004 but look good for their age. should i buy new tires or should i use them and just get them inspected?

[tdangle]

I don't think I would feel comfortable with that old of tires regardless of the miles.

My family and my safety are worth more than a set of tires. Good luck on your decision.

[jocko]

ya got hosed. buy new ones. bummer. I'd be interested in knowing how you know they are 11 yrs old. If that's true, I would give the seller a chance to unscrew the situation, maybe refund a LITTLE money. Probably never happen, but worth asking if you have actual proof.

[Clavo106]

Tires have a expiration date like everything else my friend.. IMO just pass them by.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by jocko

I'd be interested in knowing how you know they are 11 yrs old.

Tire manufacturers are required to stamp the sidewall with a code that indicates the month and year of manufacture.

[NoNeck]

When it comes to determining the age of a tire, it is easy to identify when a tire was manufactured by reading its Tire Identification Number (often referred to as the tire's serial number). Unlike vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and the serial numbers used on many other consumer goods (which identify one specific item), Tire Identification Numbers are really batch codes that identify the week and year the tire was produced.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that Tire Identification Numbers be a combination of the letters DOT, followed by ten, eleven or twelve letters and/or numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size and manufacturer's code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured.

Since 2000, the week and year the tire was produced has been provided by the last four digits of the Tire Identification Number with the 2 digits being used to identify the week immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year.

The photo below shows an example of a tire manufactured since 2000 with the current Tire Identification Number format.

In the example:
DOT U2LL LMLR 5107
51 Manufactured during the 51st week of the year
07 Manufactured during 2007

As you can see, all tires have an expiration date...no matter how new they look or how much tread remains.

POP

[6768chevylover]

thanks for the opinions. I'm gonna pass them up but, maybe use them to do burn outs at local car shows...

[NTIMID8R]

Originally Posted by 6768chevylover

thanks for the opinions. I'm gonna pass them up but, maybe use them to do burn outs at local car shows...

Probably wouldn't last thru the burnout and then you'd have to fix the fender that was damaged by the worthless tire.

[Grumpy old man]

They may last another 5 years ? tires are subject to untold perils if you're uneasy with them buy a new set and be happy .

[john@thepier]

Where do you get an expiration date out of a manufactured on date? I'm lost on this one.

[Grumpy old man]

My tires expire when I hear the POP sound !

[Clavo106]

ItS rubber man its was just a expression.. just dont runn into shyster used tire sells man that sell dry rotted tire. covered heavily in tire dressing... JUST DON'T DO IT.

[Orange Crate]

Come on.. if the tires aren't dry rotted and cracked what is the problem. Don't ever use your spare tire..it might be past its' expiration date...get a grip here..I have used 20 year old tires before and been absolutely fine..Did the OP state they were cracked? There a plenty of ways to tell if a tire is still serviceable (bulges, cracks, tread depth...). I think we need a little more info or pictures to determine if these tires are beyond their service life.

[asolde]

I would have a tire expert look at them before I would buy a new set unless you just don't like them. Oh and I just read ( Googled) tire expiration. They say six years.

[FirstOwner69]

In the RV world it is recommended to replace tires when they are 5 to 10 years old. Timing is highly dependent on a number of factors including geographic location (Arizona would be something like 5 years, Maine more like 10) and whether the vehicle is kept inside a dark garage or outside in the sun. That said, I'd look at replacement in the 7 to 10 year range.

[see ten]

my 68 cadillac had tires tires that were 11 years old. But, they looked brand new. The tread was deep and no signs of wear or checking/cracks. The car had been stored in a garage out of any/all uv light. She rode... well... like a cadillac! Nice and smooth!

They were fine until I got on the interstate and hit the left lane for a couple hours and got em hot... then one of them shed a carcass and I was on the side of the highway with a shredded tire...

So... my opinion? Sure, you'll probably be alright putt putting around town on old out of date tires... I wouldn't put them on the highway though... But I also refuse to drink more than 2 beers out in public... so use your own judgement...