I bought a set of wheels for my Corvette with like-new tires. I spotted that the date codes make the tires 13 years old. I've seen many a 13 year old tire, and I'll be the first to admit that I understand that the rubber in tires changes as it ages. That being said these tires can't have 2000 miles on them and they are PERFECT.
Please reinforce for me why these are not safe to run. I spotted the date issue and effectively paid only market value for the wheels alone so this isn't a money thing. Take a look:
How dried out are they?
You can try driving on them, to see for yourself, but don't expect much out of them.
I would have a hard time putting tires that are a full 10 years old on the road in most circumstances. That's my personal cut off and it isn't really based on anything scientific or quantitative. Curious what other folks think.
I doubt you'd be the only guy in a Corvette driving around on tires that old. If they've been stored inside away from direct sunlight I'd consider driving them depending on your use case. Track or cross country drive likely not, putting around town/city to cars and coffee or to pickup a new pair of New Balance shoes I think they'd be fine.
You've got them, why not test the waters. At the worst you've got two decent burnouts right there.
They're likely OK for around town cruise but why bother. If you want to enjoy the car at all why run petrified tires?
All great points and thank you for verifying what I already know. Sometimes we need tough love haha.
How much will it cost to repair or replace fiberglass when one detonates? You're making the right choice.
Unless running them at the limits, I'd run those tires on my personal car 100%
I didn't realize the original spare tire was on my 1972 240Z when I flat towed it home 32 miles. it's been holding air since last October.
The plan is to start the car and drive it around the block once on these tires then park it and continue to work on the car including new tires!
What is the hive's opinion on how old you can run a tire on track?
I have a set of older RE-71R tires in my basement, I think the dates on them are 2018-2020 (I have to double check). I used them for 1 season of autoX in my S2000 and they've been unmounted, sitting in my climate controlled basement ever since. I just recently realized they're about the same sized tires I was planning on using on the 128i next season and figured I better use them to avoid wasting them... but I'm cautious about their age + track time. Thoughts?
They’re fine–up until they’re not.
A little while ago we tested some older tires–I want to say two were 10 years old and two were 12 years old–on my Porsche 911. The tires looked good.
How’d they perform? Ride was okay but, when asked to perform at the limit–emergency braking–they failed, requiring more than 30 feet.
You can read the entire article–and look at the data graph–here: news vs. old tire test.
The tires on my duster are from 09.
It's time...
It makes me a little ill to throw out tires in this good of shape, but you're all 100% correct and it's not worth risking personal safety for what amounts to a few hundred bucks of savings. Thanks for saving me...from myself...
Appleseed said:
How much will it cost to repair or replace fiberglass when one detonates? You're making the right choice.
I haven't seen an old tire that didn't have massive cracking detonate, because the cords have not been exposed to the elements via deep cracks.
However, the traction characteristics bring to mind phrases including "frozen hockey puck" and "Big Wheel tires".
roninsoldier83 said:
What is the hive's opinion on how old you can run a tire on track?
I have a set of older RE-71R tires in my basement, I think the dates on them are 2018-2020 (I have to double check). I used them for 1 season of autoX in my S2000 and they've been unmounted, sitting in my climate controlled basement ever since. I just recently realized they're about the same sized tires I was planning on using on the 128i next season and figured I better use them to avoid wasting them... but I'm cautious about their age + track time. Thoughts?
I'd run them, don't send it 100% on lap one but that would be true for me of a brand new set of tires too. Seems like a good reason to get back to the track soon. If you're trying to win you'll be giving up something over a fresh set at the pointy end of the tire field.
I thought this video was good.
In reply to adam525i :
That's a good summation.
Living in the Mojave I replace them after no more than 7 years.
When my wife bought her Aunt' 94 Roadmaster, it was so well kept (inside) and lightly driven, the 10 year old tires looked perfect. On a beater car, ida run 'em in a heart beat. But I gaurantee the rubber is a bit harder (less traction) and if (when) does go, how much body damage does it do. Minty Roadmaster, they got replaced. (Didn't have a beater or local trailer they would fit, or ida switched 'em to that)
'Glass sudo-sports car? No way! Maybe find a trailer queen they would fit?
In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :
I had to read that a couple times. After I finally got there, I agree with EVERY word!
for daily driving, you'll be fine.
I don't see any, much less serious, cracking. I would run them all day and not give a second thought. The tires on my truck that I tow our camper hours each way with have probably 12-year old tires on it. It's kept indoors but those tires don't look like they've been baking in the sun either.
I needed to replace one half-way worn tire on our Prius because I took a nail in the sidewall and went to a nearby used tire lot (there are hundreds near me). They brought out a 15-year-old tire that was worn to the wear bars. They didn't sell it to me but I'm sure it's on someone's clapped out car. With the millions of cars running around Los Angeles I bet a lot have old tires and I rarely see people on the side of the road with blown-out tires.
it's not very scientific but I bet it illustrates that statistically, you'll be fine.
adam525i said:
roninsoldier83 said:
What is the hive's opinion on how old you can run a tire on track?
I have a set of older RE-71R tires in my basement, I think the dates on them are 2018-2020 (I have to double check). I used them for 1 season of autoX in my S2000 and they've been unmounted, sitting in my climate controlled basement ever since. I just recently realized they're about the same sized tires I was planning on using on the 128i next season and figured I better use them to avoid wasting them... but I'm cautious about their age + track time. Thoughts?
I'd run them, don't send it 100% on lap one but that would be true for me of a brand new set of tires too. Seems like a good reason to get back to the track soon. If you're trying to win you'll be giving up something over a fresh set at the pointy end of the tire field.
I thought this video was good.
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
I just checked the tires- all 4 have a 2019 build date. They've all been stored in bags, standing up individually, in the storage closet in my basement for a few years now. I think I'll give them a shot next season.
In reply to jfryjfry :
I don't think you're wrong. I think it comes down to performance more even than safety. These tires appear to have been stored inside, and in New England we are a cooler climate to start with. It appears UV rays and heat are the biggest enemies to tire life. I will admit, however, that this morning I did the very unscientific "fingernail test". According to my fingernail meter, these tires are hard. I mean HARD. I.have no doubt I could run them safely, but in agreement with the article David posted above, no question that they give up a lot of performance. I plan to mount these wheels up in the next couple of days and will gently run them until Tire Rack comes next Friday to install the new skins. I'll report back after some experience on them.
My legal team advises me to tell you not to use them. I however may have used tires of equal or older age with no real problems.
