27 replies to this topic

[Mini Manannán]

I would be very wary about using 20 year old tyres, that's asking for bother.

[tiger99]

Way in the back of my mind there is something about tyre age and the law. Was it MOT, IVA, or maybe just Construction and Use Regs? Maybe someone here can remember better than me. An actual age limit would be something that is useful to know.

[Cooperman]

A tyre has a very long shelf-life is stored in the dark at normal room temperatures.
Once fitted and used they do 'age' but I don't think that there is an age limit. It is more a case of condition really.

[gazza82]

I think they are tryng to stop sales of tyres over 7 years old ..

 

But I've had three year old tyres having to be swapped out for cracks especially rears on FWD cars .. and not cheap brands .. Pirellis!

[tiger99]

gazza82, thanks, that may be what was lurking in the back of my mind. I vaguely remember 7 years.

 

Cooperman, I would only add that storing them in nitrogen or even argon will be better than air. I have no idea for quite how long, 50 or 100 years maybe, but it does seem to me that if there is ever a threat to the tyre supply, they can be stored for the future in simple sealed plastic bags filled with nitrogen, kept in a cool. dark place until needed, along with spare components to repair ECUs and other electronic stuff. Nitrogen storage is already well established for that.

[grck1]

Used to work as a tyre fitter, trained by Michelin,
We were told that if a tyre reached 5 years of age before fitment then it should be scrapped, and 7 years for fitted.
And yes i have seen unused tyres, not cheap ones either, scrapped unused, think they were bmw x5 Michelins about 250 each at the time.
The difference between a old used tyre and a new unused tyre is quite surprising...

[Jmadry]

I run also run 28psi all round as recommended in the handbook for my car.

 

Some interesting input here. My tyres are coming up for 7 years and showing the beginning of very fine cracking, so probably due a change. I have also noticed slightly worse handling in the wet recently so this could be OP's problem too.

 

I'm not sure if this is for all tyres but there is usually a 4 digit number on the sidewall which is the date (week and year i think) of manufacture. So could be worth checking. 

Edited by Jmadry, 14 November 2016 - 09:09 PM.

[whittlebot]

Thank you everyone for your help! Constantly amazed at the generosity of people in here. Ready and willing to advise. I've always held to this. Never be embarrassed to ask!

Jonathan 

[Cooperman]

I run also run 28psi all round as recommended in the handbook for my car.
 
Some interesting input here. My tyres are coming up for 7 years and showing the beginning of very fine cracking, so probably due a change. I have also noticed slightly worse handling in the wet recently so this could be OP's problem too.
 
I'm not sure if this is for all tyres but there is usually a 4 digit number on the sidewall which is the date (week and year i think) of manufacture. So could be worth checking. 

Tyre ageing shouldn't alter the handling. It should only reduce the road-holding and braking, especially in the wet.
If the handling seems not so good it is a sign of worn suspension and/or incorrect suspension geometry caused, maybe, by tracking, camber or castor going out of adjustment.

[Carlos W]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...ngland-23320526

 

 

I think there's a way of reading the age by what's written on the tyre.

 

Has there been any advisories about brake imbalance at MOT time?

[gazza82]

Check out http://carbibles.com .. there is a description of how to read the sidewalls on there too on page 1 ... and a section about using old tyres!!

[Jmadry]

 

I run also run 28psi all round as recommended in the handbook for my car.
 
Some interesting input here. My tyres are coming up for 7 years and showing the beginning of very fine cracking, so probably due a change. I have also noticed slightly worse handling in the wet recently so this could be OP's problem too.
 
I'm not sure if this is for all tyres but there is usually a 4 digit number on the sidewall which is the date (week and year i think) of manufacture. So could be worth checking. 

Tyre ageing shouldn't alter the handling. It should only reduce the road-holding and braking, especially in the wet.
If the handling seems not so good it is a sign of worn suspension and/or incorrect suspension geometry caused, maybe, by tracking, camber or castor going out of adjustment.

 

 

Sorry Cooperman, i think i was confusing the term "handling" with road-holding and braking. Road-holding is what i meant. Cheers.

Edited by Jmadry, 13 April 2017 - 11:34 PM.

[Cooperman]

Your best bet would be to buy a new set of decent quality tyres.
Although most might advocate a 165/60 x 12, you would find the Falken 145/70 x 12 excellent, especially in slippery conditions. My Grandson had a set on his Cooper 1275 MPI and when I drove it in the wet it felt like an original Cooper 'S'.
Also make sure the suspension settings are accurate.