Tyre Ages (Follow On From Mx5 Buying Thread)

[Mitch]

following on from red 7 buying a mx5 that's been stored 8 yrs, heres some tyre info I found,

 

just checked my tyres and there 15 yr old,(which is a shock as cars been on road for only 12 yrs) I was going to change them anyway this/next year but wanted others to know ad read this info, as we do relatively low mileage, and consequently suffer very little wear.so this is from Tyre bible web page and worth a read,

 

As part of the DOT code (G in the tyre marking above), there is a tyre manufacture date stamped on the sidewall. Oddly this code is sometimes only one one sidewall so you might need to get under your car and look at the inward-facing side of the tyre. Take a look at yours - there will be a three- or four-digit code. This code denotes when the tyre was manufactured, and as a rule-of-thumb, you should never use tyres more than 6 years old. The rubber in tyres degrades over time, irrespective of whether the tyre is being used or not. When you get a tyre change, if you can, see if the tyre place will allow you to inspect the new tyres first. It's not uncommon for these shops to have stuff in stock which is more than 6 years old. The tyre might look brand new, but it will delaminate or have some other failure within weeks of being put on a vehicle.

Reading the code. The code is pretty simple. The three-digit code was used for tyres manufactured before 2000. So for example 1 7 6 means it was manufactured in the 17th week of 6th year of the decade. In this case it means 1986. For tyres manufactured in the 90's, the same code holds true but there is a little triangle after the DOT code. So for this example, a tyre manufactured in the 17th week of 1996 would have the code 176

After 2000, the code was switched to a 4-digit code. Same rules apply, so for example 3 0 0 3 means the tyre was manufactured in the 30th week of 2003.

DOT tire code

 

Check your spare

 

(if you have one simon lol)

 

I had a reader email me about the age code and he pointed out that it's wise to check your spare tyre too. In his case, he had an older vehicle but his running tyres were all nice and fresh. It was his spare that was the problem - it had a date code on it of 081 meaning it was manufactured in the 8th week of 1991. At the time of writing, that was a 16 year old tyre. So you've been warned - if you're driving an older car, check the date code of your spare. If you get a flat and your spare is gently corroding in the boot (or trunk), it won't do you much good at all.

DOT Age Code Calculator

 

The calculation built in to this page is up-to-date based on today's date. If the DOT age code on your tyres is older than this code, change your tyres.

 

DOT AGE CODE: 5007

Interesting note : in June 2005, Ford and GM admitted that tyres older than 6 years posed a hazard and from their 2006 model year onwards, started printing warnings to this effect in their drivers handbooks for all their vehicles.

Take the age code seriously : a tale of caution

 

A reader contacted me in 2010 with a tale of caution regarding the manufacturing age code on old tyres.

<a href="http://www.carbibles...yreFailure.jpg" rel="lytebox" title="A tyre manufactured in 1986, failing at 70mph in 2010">

In August 2010, I bought a classic 1976 Mercedes with only 30,000 miles on it. The seller (who was only the second owner) warned me that he thought that the Michelin XVS tyres were pretty old (the spare was unused). I was aware of the dangers of old tyres from reading your tyre bible, but it was a Sunday and the tyres are an unusual size (205/70R14) and were not readily available. I thought that I'd risk the trip back home (250 miles), but that I'd need to get new tyres ASAP. Unfortunately, one of the tyres didn't last that long, and failed at 70 MPH (see photo, note my skidmarks). It turned out that the tyres were date-stamped from week 30, 1986(!), so the advice about old tyres is indeed true!

For the record, I ordered new tyres and had the minor body damage repaired, and all is well with the car now. Stephen W, Dublin, Ireland

 

 

Read more: http://www.carbibles...l#ixzz2niyD0BU9

[Andy Spencer]

This is really useful info Mitch, and having experienced a tyre blow out on a caravan where the tyre was 18 years old but looked perfect, I'd advise everyone to take note.

 

In the caravan world, its recommended to change tyres every 5-7 years. Its one of those areas that's just not worth messing with.

Cheers

Andy

[Guest red7]

Excellent info Mitch. Thanks.

[Guest peter2b2002]

thanks Mitch, better check my spare, I'm using the spare from the doner been on the back of my 2B for 10 years + Idon't know how long it had spent in the boot of the old sierra before i scraped it

peter2b

[steve in stockport]

Good bit of info there Mitch, but only applies to my spare which has been on the back of the car for eight years.

Currently on my fourth set of rear tyres and second set of fronts which I may replace for the new year as they're down to about 4mm

[Jez Morton]

My Yokohama tyres that came with kit are 1603, so now 10 years old? Mind you kit was purchased in 2004 so reasonably new when purchased, was expecting them to be older for some reason?

[kevin the chicken]

Food for thought. Two of mine are almost worn out but the rears looked ok. As the car was last taxed in 2008 before I bought it I will be purchasing a set of four with my xmas bonus without even bothering to look at the dates on them. I am surprised at how little grip they give, especially under acceleration maybe they have gone hard.

[Guest red7]

I know a 2B builder who bought his kit more than 10 years ago (you know who you are) which would suggest his beautiful and still boxed alloys are shod with lethal unused tyres. Can't see him shredding them, can you?

[Guest Ian & Carole]

I know a 2B builder who bought his kit more than 10 years ago (you know who you are) which would suggest his beautiful and still boxed alloys are shod with lethal unused tyres. Can't see him shredding them, can you?

 

In a word NO.

 

On a plus not though Steve the car is now stood on its wheels.