OK - stupid question

[bruce]

Regards the poor experience at KTAS and damaged rims. I would have taken it further and written to Kmart head office. I would have explained everything and provided them a quote for repair.
I would be disappointed (and suprised) if they didn't come to the party.

[JBT]

Agree. KTAS damaged the front bar on a previous car - I saw the tech drive it into the gutter. Full repair and respray of the front bar paid for by KTAS.

[hks_kansei]

I'm shocked that they refused the fix the tyre, the only time I've had shops refuse to fix tyres has been if the tyre was really low on tread (and that was only that one shop)

Never had an issue with age, never had any even look at the age (and i've taken in some pretty scrappy old tyres)

[Rocky]

Kansei - I was a bit caught off guard. I knew the tyres were 10 yrs old as I monitor age/wear etc pretty carefully, but they are never kerbed, run through potholes, and spend their life in a dark garage (so not exposed to UV) Now I know that rubber hardens and get more brittle with age, so I understand that even a tyre that has had an easy life can be dangerous with age, particularly when it gets a good workout through the twisties on a regular basis.
I am going to buy a set of new tyres anyhow but I want the current set put on to my spare set of wheels - so the place that I buy the new tyres will be asked to do that - which means fixing that puncture.

[hks_kansei]

Personally i'd be fine with tyres of that age as long as you can't see any visible cracks in between the treads, or on the sidewalls.
And assuming the rubber still has some give to it.

Especially since there is no age requirement for a RWC (down here anyway) a visual inspection is all that's needed.




In regards to having the old tyres re-mounted, I always had the best price and luck from the independantly run tyre shops, most of the large ones (run by the big brands) would tend to not want to do it for me, or would want a ridiculous price.

I used to pay about $10 or $15 per wheel to have a tyre removed from one wheel, and put onto another, and balanced. (note I'd bring all the wheels in loose, and would also pay cash)

[Rocky]

Just spoke with JAX. I was hoping to take advantage of the "4 for price of 3" deal on a set of Bridgestone Potenzas but the said no Potenzas left in stock anywhere and 6 week wait for more.
I want the Potenzas so I guess I will just have to pay regular price.
In the meantime I asked whether they were prepared to fix the puncture on 10 yr old tyres and he said "As long as the tyre looks sound - no problem". So that is my interim plan.

[Mr Morlock]

not so long ago I changed a set of tyres. Still tread on the tyres. I had to look up the superseded date code and the tyres were 27 years old. Tyre co's will make more money selling tyres based on time. As far as I am aware there is no law on date age of tyres. Mostly people change them on dailies simply because the tyres wear out.

[JBT]

Worth a read: http://www.motoring.com.au/advice-do-tyres-age-48081/

[pcmx5]

I just purchased a 2/2009 built NC2 ,23000 klms with original Bridgestones on it .Plenty of tread but they were as hard as a rock with no wet weather grip,so had no hesitation in putting new Michelin Pilot sports on it.I know you can drive to the condition of your tyres,BUT you can never anticipate the emergency situation when the tyres are critical and I am happy to spend a bit more for that reassurance.
Peter.

[JBT]

Yep, when your tyres resemble battery cases, you're asking for trouble. I wouldn't drive on tyres over 6 years old let alone 10.

[Rocky]

No, I agree with you JBT, I am quite happy to buy a new set at 10 yrs regardless of how much tread they have left.
If I drove it like grandma then maybe I wouldn't be worried.
I have ordered the Potenzas ( second choice was the Michelins) and the puncture has now been fixed to my satisfaction and is back on the MX until the new tyres arrive.
I had a chat with the Manager before the puncture-fix about being a bit obsessive about the flawless state of my wheels and he indicated that he understood what I wanted and that every care will be taken when the new tyres are fitted. I will remind him of this immediately before that occurs.
They will change over & balance the 4 'spare wheels' for $10. a wheel.
All good so far.

[Mr Morlock]

I still reckon that the tyre companies take it as a good opportunity to flog more tyres. All of a sudden or at least recently the age of tyres has floated to the surface and what a great marketing ploy. The car park is already full of bald or rubbish tyres and the Police are doing nothing about it. Car makers have been putting rubber on cars for 100 years so you would not think it's a new phenomena i.e. rubber or whatever else they use deteriorates. Apart from cracking, and sure that is not a good look , the hardness of a tyre is probably not exactly going to be scientific. Does the consumer take a duro reading on the tyre when new and then compare it yearly - no and the tyre retailer probably has no idea. The article linked to provides no facts just opinions. If users want to replace tyres they are at full liberty to do so. The reality is that tyre retailers or RWC checkers will look at wear markers or obvious sign of stress or deformation.

[JBT]

More links on tyre aging. They may be "opinions" but they are all singing from the same songbook:

http://www.bridgestone.com.au/tyres/passenger/care/age.aspx
http://www.michelin.com.au/AU/en/help-and-support/do-I-need-new-tires.html
http://www.racq.com.au/cars-and-driving/cars/owning-and-maintaining-a-car/car-maintenance/tyres
http://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/how-do-i-know-when-my-car-needs-new-tyres-32135

[hks_kansei]

There is no debate that as tyres get older the rubber deteriorates, the debate is that the deterioration may or may not have a substantial effect on the safety of that tyre.

There's plenty of cheaply made chinese tyres getting around, and many of them are likely to have very little of the grip compared to a manufacturer spending some more time on research.



sure, an older tyre may not be the safest option, but it's often safe enough.
Just the same as a brand new chinese tyre may not be as safe as a brand new bridgestone, but both are good enough.


Driving will always have an element of inherent risk, and people choose how much of that risk to reduce based on their budgets etc, some choose to add to the risk (stupid stretched tyres)

If it was all about maximum grip all the time we'd be carrying a separate set of wet and dry tyres and swapping them for each condition on our drive, and replacing them weekly.



I look at tyres the way I do the milk in my fridge, the date is a rough guide but dont just blindly go by it, give the thing a smell (I've had bottles go sour days before the date, and others stay fresh a week after)

[Rocky]

I try to apply a bit of common sense to everything in my life regardless of whether it is tyres, my health, or how I manage my financial affairs.
In the case of tyres, it seems obvious to me that if you are 80 yrs old and only use your car to go to the Doctors and the Supermarket, then how old your tyres are probably doesn't matter all that much.
If however, you go out every week and give them a hammering through a lot of fast corners then you should be very aware of any potential problem issues.
Tyres DO get hard and the rubber cracks with age and exposure to the elements and so it is common sense to me that 10 years is probably about the max if you are giving them a regular 'work-out'.
Most people will of course have worn them out long before that age, and so the issue only arises with 'Sunday-cars' like mine that do less than 5K a year.