Tires  By  scooter12 (Read 7,457 times)

Its quite a debate here! I think there are too may variables present to make this a black and white issue... In general, quality and longevity I'm sure we can all agree varies between manufacturers for all products, and "they don't make them like they used to"... Also the way a tire is stored, as mentioned, makes a huge difference.

I always find myself in the middle of most debates and usually can entertain both sides when there is not enough definite evidence for a conclusion. It is not unwise to err in the side of caution, even if you could have saved some money you have still not made a bad investment.

I think the most important thing is for consumers to be aware of what they are getting, to be informed of possible potential dangers so they can decide for themselves if they want to only put older/used tires on their dump-truck or beater-backup vehicle and not the road trip car.

I also think that if there was a chance to boost the sale of new tires (being made from oil these days) legislators would already be all over it.

Here's a few random titbits about my experience, habits, and info about the issue:

I am a VA state vehicle safety inspector - currently there is no state code about the age of a tire. Only if steel/chord is visible through dry rot or if tread is starting to separate can you fail it. Or if there is evidence of belt separation, or wear below the limit.
Of course, we inform the customer about any borderline severe rot or if they are over 10 years old.

Around 2011, a member of a ford sedan message board I am on got access to a PA government auction of tires that are used on the Crown Vic police cars. We made a group buy, he got a whole pallet full of Goodyear Eagle RSA 225/60/16 at $35 each. We were pleased to find they were date stamped 2008.
They were not defects that he was aware of, just surplus. They had to be getting rid of them for a reason... the newer ones use 17" tires but there are still plenty of 16" squad cars on the road...
But you're dang right I bough a set... the two on now are still fantastic, and I'm sure I won't hesitate to use the other two, after a good inspection. No reports of any problems, yet.

Also, my basement has a couple to-the-ceiling stacks of used tires I have carried home with varying age and mild dry rot. I do rotate out the older ones as I score newer ones, but so far between 4 large vehicles, two that see regular highway travel, I've had no problems. BUT, I am prepared to accept the consequences of a blowout. AND, if I had a wife and child, I would absolutely not play the old/used tire game with what they primarily ride in.

One of the first things I did to the Reflex was replace the decent (aside from some feathering) 2006 front tire with a new-new one. This game gets SO much more potentially risky on 2 wheels.