Would my old tyres be ok

G'day Rich

You can read from the sidewall when the tyres were manufactured (I'm not quite sure how though). In any event, I believe 5 years is the acknowledged lifespan of tyres, so in your case they may look OK and MAY be OK, but you'd be taking a bit of a gamble I reckon.

On the sidewall of your tyres will be a 4 digit number representing the week and year of manufacture - it will be something like 1505, meaning fifteenth week of 2005 (etc etc).

Depending on the manufacturer, tyres are passed their used-by-date when 6-8 years old. They go hard. Sounds like you'd be fine to use them.

Nah they're stuffed mate.

Now where did you say you lived...oh and what size are they?

Thanks guys for the replies.

I have had them for 5 years so could be a bit passed their date as could have been around for awhile. I will check the date tomorrow.

Pop2jocem, if the date is to old I will let you know. Just don't use them near me :).

I may be able to stretch the old ones for a bit longer. Get some good ones in the new year.



Rich

Depends how far you are going, how fast you are going to drive and what the road conitions are like and how risk averse you are. Most big name tyre retailers quote 6 years as the max because the rubber compound 'dries out' and goes hard. When that happens if the tyres get hot or impacted by rocks you are at a much higher risk of a tread separaration and if you don't stop quickly enough (without brakes) they tyre will in all likelihood 'blow ou t'. The big name sellers will not repair a tyre over 6 years old either due to their legal liability if one fails and ppl are injured or property is damaged. This policy also helps sell more new tyres. Personally I would not take the risk but if you do decide to use them and one or two fail be prepared to pay up to 50% more for tyres in the outback (if you can obtain your size) than in the metro area and if it happens much after midday Saturday be prepared to wait until Monday until any tyre shops open in the larger towns outback. If you do decide to use them at least carry plenty of spares and tools so you can changes tyres on the rim in the field.

Hello Rich.
It wasn't so long ago that it was the done thing to buy 2 sets of tyres one to drive on and the other to harden in the shed oh how times change cheres Billy

This information is from the B.F.Goodrich web sire tonight!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Back To Frequently Asked Questions
Question:

What is the expected service life of tires?
Answer:

While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.

This information is from the manufacturers - not somebody with no qualifications except bar talk and hear say.

An old trick used to be giving old tyres a spray with WD-40 to soften them up and give better grip. It was used extensively in Kart racing until it was banned, we used to use it when we had Slot Cars.

See attached Video I found on YouTube which shows the effect.

WD40 Effect