Tire replacement by age
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 2
From: Canton, Ct.
Tire replacement by age
When I purchased my 2005 997 it only had 5000 miles on it.
Now at the end of 2010 I have 10,000 miles on 6 year old tires.
Can I get some opinion on whether the original tires should be replaced without question due to age? (I believe advertised life is 5 years)
Now at the end of 2010 I have 10,000 miles on 6 year old tires.
Can I get some opinion on whether the original tires should be replaced without question due to age? (I believe advertised life is 5 years)
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 17,743
Likes: 294
From: Santa Barbara, CA
You're smart to suspect those tires. 6 years is the magic number by which a tire should be retired (not a pun!) Replacing those tires will make a dramatic improvement in the performance of that car.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 84
From: Chesapeake, VA
If it helps lessen the pain at all, tire technology has changed considerably in the last 6 years, too, and there are a slew of new street tires that blow away the OEM tires in performance. Even really inexpensive ones like Sumitomo HTR ZIII.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Sydney Australia
BTW Tires are now date stamped, look for a rough moulded oval looking area on the sidewall with four numbers in it.
First two numbers are the week of the year, the last two are the year the tire was manufactured.
First two numbers are the week of the year, the last two are the year the tire was manufactured.
Last edited by Bijan; Oct 24, 2010 at 08:00 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 7
From: Blacksburg, VA
I agree that it's a good idea to replace old tires, but how about the following true story?
A few months ago an "old" autocrosser I know showed up at our SCCA region's autocross with the same old Dodge Colt he drove 20 years ago and picked up just where he left off; winning his class on 23-year-old tires (I saw the build date on the tire). His son is still autocrossing the car regularly, but with new tires.
A few months ago an "old" autocrosser I know showed up at our SCCA region's autocross with the same old Dodge Colt he drove 20 years ago and picked up just where he left off; winning his class on 23-year-old tires (I saw the build date on the tire). His son is still autocrossing the car regularly, but with new tires.
Trending Topics
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 6
From: Monterrey
Yes. I learned this the hard way. Crashed another car I had years ago on Michelins with a LOT of tread left on them and were 4 years old. On emergency braking the car just slid and slid!
The tires on my C2S are 3 years old now and I am growing tired of procrastinating!
The tires on my C2S are 3 years old now and I am growing tired of procrastinating!
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 S/C vs 718 Spyder RS: 10 Categories, One Winner
Joe Kucinski
This Builder Is Turning Heads With Its Slantnose 911 Creation
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche 911 GT3 Artisan Edition Pays Homage to Japanese Culture
Verdad Gallardo
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 13
From: South Bend, IN
Above thoughts are sound. 6 years on a performance tire is getting to the point there will be degradation in the tire's performance due to hardening of the rubber. They may look fine, and probably are from a construction standpoint, but will likely be at the point where it's possible that they are losing grip. We have a few great writeups here, here, and here.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 84
From: Chesapeake, VA
Above thoughts are sound. 6 years on a performance tire is getting to the point there will be degradation in the tire's performance due to hardening of the rubber. They may look fine, and probably are from a construction standpoint, but will likely be at the point where it's possible that they are losing grip. We have a few great writeups here, here, and here.
