New tyres time :-(

[Adrian E]

My spare is original from 2002 - barely been used but I'd only run it in an emergency due to its age. Still better than a space saver. I'd be tempted to swap one of my fronts onto the spare if I suddenly came into enough funds to swap all 4 tyres, but can't see it happening any time soon!

[David's8]

The aging process is due (so I understand) in the main to sunlight /ultra violet. If its been in the dark of the boot (as opposed to on the vehicle) then it should not have suffered much degradation. I know that motorhomers run into this problem due to doing low mileage but leaving the tyres exposed to sunlight. The general guidance in their case is to change the tyres after 5 years notwithstanding the wear. Change of colour (greyish) and fine cracking are signs of aging (and on your tyres too).

[ainarssems]

Most tyre manufacturers guarantee summer tyres for 10 years and winter tyres for 6 years

[Goran]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

Most tyre manufacturers guarantee summer tyres for 10 years and winter tyres for 6 years

Thanks! this is good info. My spare is a brand new pilot super sport, so I was planning when the others wear out to only buy 3 new tyres, and use one of the worn ones as a spare instead.

[Adrian E]

Cant recall if I mentioned this before in this thread but if in doubt about the age of a tyre look for a 4 digit code stamped on the sidewall in the format 4510 where 45 represents the week of manufacture and 10 is short for 2010

If it's a Super Sports tyre weren't they only released last year anyway?

[Dezzy]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

Cant recall if I mentioned this before in this thread but if in doubt about the age of a tyre look for a 4 digit code stamped on the sidewall in the format 4510 where 45 represents the week of manufacture and 10 is short for 2010

Depending on manufacturer this 4 digit number is sometimes the last 4 digits of the tyres serial number.

[The_Laird]

Originally Posted by ainarssems

Most tyre manufacturers guarantee summer tyres for 10 years and winter tyres for 6 years

Hmm, I'm not sure about that. I've just had to replace 2 tyres on my wife's 2002 mini because they'd gone porous with age. Now, even if they were the original tyres (it's done over 80K miles, so not likely!) they're less that 11 years old. And they were Pirellis, so not cheap rubbish. The tread was still legal, but the side walls were very cracked and old looking, and one had developed a slow leak - no puncture, just seeping air.

So, 10 years seems a bit of a stretch to me.

[Adrian E]

Maybe for storage rather than use? Mind you I think there's a maximum age a tyre can be before it can be sold as 'new' these days

Scuttles off to Michelin web site to get correct tyre fitment and start tyre shopping.....looks like I'm getting a pair of tyres for my 40th in a few weeks time

[Adrian E]

Well that was a painful discussion with Michelin technical - they are suggesting I shouldn't run part worn Pilot Sport with a new pair of Super Sports.

Not entirely clear if that's because of the difference in construction having a dynamic effect on rolling radius that's enough to cause problems, or just because the handling might feel a bit strange. Person I spoke to wasn't really able to justify reasons to my satisfaction.

The money tree hasn't sprouted recently and there's a pretty marked difference in tread depth to the point I wouldn't want to bin what I have. If I won the lottery this weekend it wouldn't be an issue as I could do with replacing the original spare on age grounds.....

Ho hum

[Dezzy]

So are they suggesting that Super Sports can only be bought in 4's? as you could have a pair of half worn Pilot Sports on he rear and need a pair for the front but as you can't run part worns with new you need 4???

You should have told him: I'll have to buy a pair of Goodyear's in that case and then another pair when the rears wear out.