Tyre age

[Alex]

Came across this interesting video.

I personally never knew that tyres had a shelf life (or rather I didn't think about them this way) and that old tyres could cost you your life! The question is, where to find these "just out of the factory" brand new tyres and not some old stock?

I remember when fitting my last set at a local station, I was mentioned my Pirellis were 3 years old. I bought them "brand new" from the internet, the last set available, very reasonably priced. If I knew they were that old I would have spent more to get something with a bit better date code.

Now I'm in the market for a new set and not sure where to go to buy one. If mail order turns out some old stock it will be a hassle to return.

What do you guys think about the whole tyre age thing and is there a way of checking suppliers stock before ordering? Some of them work on their suppliers inventory so it might be difficult to find out. Ideas?

 

[JLR1969]

So how many years will tyres last if only driven occasionally?

 

[BTB 500]

You are not supposed to use tyres beyond 5-6 years from date of manufacture.

For my SL and caravan I always check the date codes when buying, as those will never need replacing based on tread wear.

Alloy Wheels Direct had to order in tyres for the wheels I bought from them for my SL, and rejected the first set on my behalf due to the date codes.

 

[Alex]

So how many years will tyres last if only driven occasionally?

Good question. It is a ticking bomb as occasional driving means a lot better visual external appearance of the tyres due to low miles. What I understood from the video was the suggestion for traders to rotate dead (unsold) stock every 6 years from the date of tyre manufacture. Does it mean if purchased within first 6 years you're safe using them and for how long? Don't know. My ML gets driven every second or third day and the tyres are 4 years old. Not sure how long they will last but I don't want to find out especially with track days booked and all!

 

[BTB 500]

What do you guys think about the whole tyre age thing and is there a way of checking suppliers stock before ordering? Some of them work on their suppliers inventory so it might be difficult to find out. Ideas?

I would just state when ordering that you will check the date codes and reject if necessary. Hopefully that will be enough.

Only likely to be a real issue if:

a) you do low mileage
or b) you are buying an unusual size or type of tyre
or c) you are buying from a small company

 

[Alex]

I would just state when ordering that you will check the date codes and reject if necessary. Hopefully that will be enough.

Only likely to be a real issue if:

a) you do low mileage
or b) you are buying an unusual size or type of tyre
or c) you are buying from a small company

I do low miles and my size is a tad unusual (295/45 R20), hence my concern. I should probably just stick to changing them like every 4 years regardless of the thread. That and make sure I buy them within 0-2 years of their age. Learned something new today, thank you.

 

[BTB 500]

Well you'll know from the date code on them when they need replacing, 5 years is quite possible if you're careful when you're buying.

 

[Dieselman]

You are not supposed to use tyres beyond 5-6 years from date of manufacture.

Not so. The age mentioned is a recommended storage life, not a usage life. Even the storage can be variable depending on the way they are stores, the atmosphere and the amount of UV radiation they are exposed to.
In a dark dry atmosphere tyres will last a long time with little degradation. When in use they degrade less as a result of the flexing forcing oils toward the surface.

 

[w124nut]

The following link may answer most of the queries about tyres.

In December, I purchased a set of 5 Michelin tyres and the date showed that they were manufactured within 3 months of sale albeit in Italy.

Car Bibles : The Wheel and Tyre Bible Page 1 of 4