Tyres too old?

Tyres too old?

Author
Discussion

ESDavey

Original Poster:

701 posts

226 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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My front tyres have plenty of tread but we’re fitted 11 years ago. The car is always garaged. Rears are 9 yrs old. No cracking between the tread and look fine

Do tyres seriously deteriorate over time ? Appreciate your comments

I’m about to set off for a long (3k miles) trip around Norway.

phillpot

17,278 posts

190 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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Scrap.

Jules Sunley

4,043 posts

100 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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Replace them.

rigga

8,752 posts

208 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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UV rays degrade the rubber, aside from wearing them out on the road itself, as garaged they are likely not to have suffered too much, but when do you draw the line , might feel soft and compliant, till the moment they arnt , and you need them to be.

I'm in the same position myself , still loads of grip, but ideally they should be changed.

ESDavey

Original Poster:

701 posts

226 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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Thanks. Uniroyal RainSport 5 (205/55 15V (88)) appear the only option…. Agree ?

I can buy the fronts from KwikFit but can’t find anywhere that sells Uniroyal RainSport 245/45 R16. Any ideas please ?

Edited by ESDavey on Saturday 26th August 16:31

sixor8

6,594 posts

275 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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I agree with rigga that it depends how they've been stored. The idea they are 'scrap' just on age is drivel. Brand new tyres kept indoors in low light are still considered 'new.'

From an information page on Kwikfit:

Tyres are considered to be ‘new’ and are suitable for retail sale for, up to 5 years from the original date of production with recommended storage guidance from tyre manufacturers. The industry standard for tyres, based on the German BRV recommendation, is the ‘5 year rule’ for new tyres.

From a tyre company source:

"In Saudi Arabia, the company’s testing revealed that tyres that were used for one year performed just as well as a tyre that has been stored and unused for 10 years. Meanwhile, to test the characteristic of the tyre compound, Michelin stored a tyre for 20 years at a constant 40 degrees Celsius to simulate the effects of a tyre that has been used for 40,000 km, and it discovered that the compound deteriorated faster when used rather than one that hasn’t been used and is stored properly."

The law was recently bought in to have a maximum tyre age on the steering axles of PSV vehicles of 10 years, but there is no compulsory tyre age for a car. I've bough a car with tyres over 20 yrs old and it was obvious they had gone off, virtually no grip.

Many websites advise 6 years (well they want to sell tyres don't they...) If there is no perishing of the rubber I'd not worry, personally until 10 years old. In the OP's case, if it were me, and a long journey is planned, I'd change the fronts and try to wear out the rears. smile

Edited by sixor8 on Saturday 26th August 17:19

alabbasi

2,695 posts

94 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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They should be replaced after 6 years.

ESDavey

Original Poster:

701 posts

226 months

Saturday 26th August 2023
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Thanks all. My plan is to replace the fronts (12yrs 22,000 miles) and leave the rears (9yrs 13,000 miles).
Looks like Toyo Proxes TR1 are the only rear option in 245/45 R16

frontfloater

367 posts

149 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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My Mercedes SLK owner's manual says :

"Replace the tyres after six years at the latest, regardless of wear. This also applies to the spare wheel".

AndrewCrown

2,319 posts

121 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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ESD
Interesting question, I was on another thread yesterday something about what people are anal about with their cars….tyres featured heavily.
Got me thinking that my Landie tyres are slipping a bit ~ 11years old and only 2000 miles.

If I was going on a 3000 mile trip in any of my cars I would not travel with old tyres. Weigh up the General PITA if anything did happen, plus personal risk and others round you, for the sake of a few hundred pounds.

Replace all four for peace of mind.

How old is your battery?

sixor8

6,594 posts

275 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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Considering he's driving 3k miles around Norway in an old TVR, some people would suggest replacing the whole car. wink

It's adventurous anyway, by the sound of it, I hope it goes well. thumbup

RayTVR

1,074 posts

150 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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I had 10 year old Toyo Proxes on my TVR, plenty of tread left but changed to new tyres. If you think old tyres are still good, you should swap to a new set and feel the difference - night and day when it comes to grip..

Englishman

2,237 posts

217 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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Have to agree. Had old tyres with lots of tread (10+years) on a couple of cars I've bought and changing them made an massive difference both to handling and ride quality. Guess they just get hard with age.

ESDavey

Original Poster:

701 posts

226 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
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AndrewCrown said:
How old is your battery?
Just replaced as a precaution

ESDavey

Original Poster:

701 posts

226 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
quotequote all
Andrew is right - if I’m driving around Norway 🇳🇴 on lovely dry roads then the old rears would be fine but if it’s damp, I’d always be thinking new tyres would have been wise !

UniRoyal RainSports being fitted front, Toyo Proxes TR1 being fitted to the rear next Thursday

ESDavey

Original Poster:

701 posts

226 months

Sunday 27th August 2023
quotequote all
Andrew is right - if I’m driving around Norway 🇳🇴 on lovely dry roads then the old rears would be fine but if it’s damp, I’d always be thinking new tyres would have been wise !

UniRoyal RainSports being fitted front, Toyo Proxes TR1 being fitted to the rear next Thursday

Belle427

9,736 posts

240 months

Monday 28th August 2023
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Toyo not available for the front?
I'd try and keep them the same.

sixor8

6,594 posts

275 months

Monday 28th August 2023
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Probably not available in the right speed rating or even size, since he's still on the original 15" fronts. frown

5.0ltr

2,803 posts

206 months

Monday 28th August 2023
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My Toyos were 7? years old and I ordered new ones, before I had them fitted you could light the rears up in the damp easily, they were getting hard.
The new soft rubber sorted this. Personally I wouldn’t risk older tyres being the only thing after gravity keeping it on the road.

LLantrisant

1,002 posts

166 months

Wednesday 30th August 2023
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Replace them!!! however you have stored them, the rubber has lost its flexibility and its grip.

latest when you drive in rain you will notice it the hard way.