Tires too old?

[Ralph]

Based on the DOT info, the tires that came with the car were manufactured in 2003 ... making them just over 17 years old. They have lots of tread, but depending on the source and from what I've been able to read via the net, once the rubber is 7 - 10 years old it can fail.

The tires are Bridgestone B420 89S ... 185/75R14 M & S.

My gut tells me that around town under 40 MPH would be fine...but for highway driving it would be safer to have new rubber.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

[todd lorber]

A number of years ago there was an issue with Ford Explorers crashing due to tire blow outs. The issue came up then that tires that are over 5 years old should not be driven on due to delamination. Obviously that seems a bit conservative, and I'm sure that on our toy cars many of us have tires older than that. However your point about how the vehicle is driven is a good one. A blowout at 30 mph on the street is not the same as one at 40 mph on the side of a mountain with no guardrail.

This has caused me to look for softer, faster wearing tires for the fun cars, because I know the time will expire on them long before the tread does.

[Alvin]

Don't use them for driving.

[bakerjf]

As an attorney I was involved in rollover litigation and, in addition to having to look at countless accident photos and autopsy reports, I learned more about tires than anyone should have to. How a tire “looks” never tells the whole story. I won’t drive on a set of tires over 6 or 7 years old.

[Pjackb]

As an attorney I was involved in rollover litigation and, in addition to having to look at countless accident photos and autopsy reports, I learned more about tires than anyone should have to. How a tire “looks” never tells the whole story. I won’t drive on a set of tires over 6 or 7 years old.

Adding to John’s comment, improper storage dramatically affects the life of a tire
Being that you are in Kelowna BC they probably have been subject to multiple freezing episodes
Even at 40mph a blowout can be fatal, is it worth it to put yours and others security at risk ?
if you don’t want to spend too much You can get 4 cheap Chinese tires for $200 cad

[DAC21]

Based on the DOT info, the tires that came with the car were manufactured in 2003 ... making them just over 17 years old. They have lots of tread, but depending on the source and from what I've been able to read via the net, once the rubber is 7 - 10 years old it can fail.

The tires are Bridgestone B420 89S ... 185/75R14 M & S.

My gut tells me that around town under 40 MPH would be fine...but for highway driving it would be safer to have new rubber.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Sounds like you are in need of new tires based on the commentary. So you are running original wheels it appears? I have found Hankook (South Korean Co.) makes a reasonably decent tires. Hard to beat this white wall all season tire if that is what you will be looking for. Bridgestone doesn't make a tire in that size anymore apparently.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hankook-Opti ... 8zEALw_wcB

[Ralph]

Thanks for the quick feedback...new rubber is next

[MattC]

You talked me into it also. Thanks everyone. Ordered Coker Travelstars (whitewalls) in 175/75r14 from Summit Racing this afternoon. $59 ea.

I was looking to match the 185/70r14 Cooper Response's (blackwall) that are on my car now (and are dead on for the speedometer compared to gps readings) but couldn't find anything in that size with whitewalls. Going to the 175/75's kept close enough to the same diameter.

[Ralph]

....aaaand will be on the wee bestie By 2 on Friday

[Pjackb]

You talked me into it also. Thanks everyone. Ordered Coker Travelstars (whitewalls) in 175/75r14 from Summit Racing this afternoon. $59 ea.

I was looking to match the 185/70r14 Cooper Response's (blackwall) that are on my car now (and are dead on for the speedometer compared to gps readings) but couldn't find anything in that size with whitewalls. Going to the 175/75's kept close enough to the same diameter.

Uniroyal Tiger Paw
That what I have on Mrs Blue
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Uniroyal-Tig ... e/10737538

[redroadster]

Based on the DOT info, the tires that came with the car were manufactured in 2003 ... making them just over 17 years old. They have lots of tread, but depending on the source and from what I've been able to read via the net, once the rubber is 7 - 10 years old it can fail.

The tires are Bridgestone B420 89S ... 185/75R14 M & S.

My gut tells me that around town under 40 MPH would be fine...but for highway driving it would be safer to have new rubber.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

Mine are from 93 , they have est. 600 miles on them , always garaged ...it makes a big difference what car , what load, what speed rating ,, what road , what speed , what history ( patches, plugs ) what belts ( the aramid belts were dangerous) , what inflation ,what temperature ( think W Texas in summer )
Yeah it's time to get new on mine , but still see no cracks haven't plugged or patched , I do not drive over 50 ( well maybe on a straight away) I put it on the rack and check after a short drive ....I think last time I checked 185 70 14 are limited and $$

[fj20spl311]

Mine are from 93 ,

You just lost all your credibility!

[redroadster]

Mine are from 93 ,

You just lost all your credibility!

It hasn't been driven except for a 10 min ride once in a while for 8 yrs ...last time I checked that size was unavailable ...maybe use guys ...should state your Auto accreditation

[ted heaton]

Mine are from 93 ,

You just lost all your credibility!

Gonna do the math here.
2021-1993 = 28 years.
600 miles driven divided by 28 years = 21.4 miles driven a year.

Ted

[redroadster]

Mine are from 93 ,

You just lost all your credibility!

Gonna do the math here.
2021-1993 = 28 years.
600 miles driven divided by 28 years = 21.4 miles driven a year.

Ted
[/quorte]

Minus 8 , minus another 5 yrs here there , minus only drove summer weather lost interest in scorching day drives 2 yrs in ...maybe 900mi. basically I drove some of the nearby low traffic routes , about the 12 th time is gets a bit less fun ...86 Z31T took ove major onterest r in 97