littleball_s4

It's not only a matter of high speed integrity, it's also a matter of grip. Put new rubber and braking distance will be reduced some 20%. (BTDT)

marton

I always thought that when tires approach the end of their shelf life then they start to show physical symptoms?

I have had older tires replaced in the past because the tire fitter has shown me signs of age deterioration like minor cracking in the side wall or other signs of perishing.

Marton

fabric

Bill, you put a fair number of yearly miles on your car though, IIRC?

I suppose depending on the treadwear rating - and some high performance tires have pretty low ratings - you can really go through tires fast - even if you weren't turning most of the rears into a cloud of smoke.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Ever wonder why some retailers like Tire Rack have "special sales" ??? One reason is the shelf life issue.

danglerb

Maybe some of us should consider drifting? Have some tire parties.

Bill Ball

Before the SC I would get about 25K on a set of tires - about 2 years.

Our open road race group allows tires date coded up to 4 years.

anonymousagain

the physical symptoms always show up (IMHO); a little firmer ride or a little more slip around corners or more overall road noise. You can tell when they're no longer the same as they were when new.

Especially if approaching year-end, I'd change 'em out before the wet weather --> would NEVER want to hear "the tires were not in the best condition to prevent hydroplaning, so although your wife and son were only travelling at 40mph...". Cheap life insurance if you ask me.

danglerb

You have a certain amount of trade off don't you, full tread obviously is best for wet, but a half worn tire might do better than a new one on dry once you get it nice and warm?

Isn't there some kind of goop to soften the tire for better grip? or is it just 1/4 mile type better grip?

anonymousagain

"goop" treatment would only be temporary, so great for holeshots !! (although you'd look funny jumping out at the stoplight real quick while it's still red )


good clarification for NOT discounting visual inspection for seasons or tire damage. You'd still have good life in those tires <possibly> down to lower wear limit, but I wouldn't use 'em near the wet. Perhaps a good point to argue for a "winter/wet weather" wheel set, especially if shod with $$$$ wheels/tires during the other 8mos.

the flyin' scotsman

I'm very curious as to what type?..............surely not hi perf summer stickies.

marton

Sounds like Tire manufacturer marketing, I never before heard any relationship between the age of rubber in a tire and aquaplaning?

Aquaplaning is caused when a wedge of water builds up between the tire and the road, causes are;

excessive speed (for the conditions)
excessive tire tread wear
severely incorrect tire inflation.

This whole product life thing is a great marketing idea to get people to throw away perfectly good products simply because of a date stamp.
It simply exploits peoples fear of the unknown.

One of the Swiss TV consumer programs recently demonstrated people eating Yoghurt that was 1 month past the "use by date" without any ill effects or noticeable loss of taste.

Another good marketing con is to print on the product a "best before date". There is never a definition of "best" and it causes people to throw away perfectly good products which are maybe only achieving 99.9% of the ultimate taste level......

Of course, if the marketing guys can get adherence to product life written into laws then they get major bonuses...

Marton

Bill Ball

Yes, summer performance tires. I have an 80 mile commute on the freeway; hence, lots of easy miles.

danglerb

Some tires with pretty much the same traction wear much better or much worse on some cars. Since I am not planning on a lot of miles per year, I am giving serious thought to running a drag radial like a http://www.nyxracing.com/nitto-555r-...e-p-20498.html , but I could see a second set of tires for wet might be smart to have like EAGLE F1 GS-D3 225/50 R16 92Y BSW (OTOH those look pretty good dry too).

danglerb

Yoghurt I have heard staying good for many years. Other things don't hold up as well.

You might really like a chain we have in the US, Grocery Outlet, which specializes in date expired foods. Companies that supply the packaged sandwiches sold in many stores buy the meat one day before it "expires" and freeze it until its used depending on the sandwiches being sold within a day or so of making them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grocery_Outlet

With old tires you roll the dice the faster you go.

the flyin' scotsman

25k miles is ~ 40k kms; I'm not gettin' half of that from Pilot sports and I don't belive the current PS2s will do much further currently running GTS pressures.

The only diff is your 'easy miles'...........I'm on the other end of the spectrum unless I venture close to town