Replacing Tires: Plenty of Tread but Weather Checked?

[PastTense]

Any philosophies about replacing tires which have plenty of tread but which are weather-checked?

 

[offroad]

Do you know how old the tires are? You have too much dependent on these tires working perfectly. If five years old or over 60,000 miles get them replaced. When you buy a vehicle try to remember to consider that.

 

[Reducto]

It's a judgment call for sure, but when in doubt I'd go ahead and replace. This is especially true if I'm going to be riding them hard - highways in hot weather, gravel roads far from town, etc. Minor surface cracking I'm ok with, if it looks in any way deeper I'll take it in.

I don't go by age because harsh weather can age them faster.

 

[sephson]

I really only have two pieces of advice on tires.

First, if you can't afford to replace all the tires, replace them in pairs rather than one at a time. Even wear is important with tires.

My second piece of advice doesn't really relate to your question but I'm going to give it anyway. When buying a used vehicle, beware of vehicles with new tires. The way the tires have worn can tell you a lot about vehicle. New tires can mask a few mechanical issues.

 

[Kevin H]

Do you know how old the tires are? You have too much dependent on these tires working perfectly. If five years old or over 60,000 miles get them replaced. When you buy a vehicle try to remember to consider that.

This is a frequent topic on some other RV related forums. RVs are typically quite a bit heavier than vans. The prevalent thought there is to replace at 7 years no matter what. I think 5 years is too early.

Just my opinion and experience.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

I'll go along with the "when in doubt, replace" theory if you're going on the road. In a local situation you can get by with them for a while, most likely.
I've had a couple blowouts, once on front. Ain't no fun cleaning out your pants afterwards :s

 

[offroad]

No one wants to spend $500 on new tires. But they truly are cheap insurance. And check that those rim edges are perfect. Southern shoreline high salt and humidity causes my wheels to leak air. Had to reseal mine a few times. Also check the factory recommended sizes. Many will have the wrong size tire.

 

[caseyc]

My last set of tires had all these small cracks or creases all over the sides of the tires. I think it was caused by the sun and heat. The tires had plenty of tread left, but the small cracks and creases were cause for concern. A WheelWorks mechanic told me to replace the tires because it was bad news. Even though it may have been simple sales talk, I went ahead and got new tires. I got a different brand, and got the light truck tires instead of regular ones. Haven't had a problem since.

 

[MrNoodly]

You can replace them now, or one at a time on the side of the highway. That "good tread" can go flying as the sidewalls fall apart. And hope it's not a front that blows, setting up a shimmy that might have you swerving into danger.

"Did you see that van go off the cliff?"

"You mean the one with good tread?"

 

[highdesertranger]

unfortunately most tire shops(like most shops these days) are going to tell you whatever to make money. cracking is a sign the tires are drying out. how bad I do not know with out seeing the tires. this is normal and nothing to worry about if they are just beginning. do you check your tires regularly? did this just start or have they been cracking for years? heads up on that c**p that some detailers put on tires to make them "look new" some dry out tires and cause cracking. this whole subject is a judgment call and it's hard to make that call over the internet. one thing that is for sure if you buy new tires you will not have to worry that cracking, if there is reason to worry. highdesertranger

 

[MrNoodly]

one thing that is for sure if you buy new tires you will not have to worry that cracking, if there is reason to worry. highdesertranger

Also, when you get new tires you can usually get some kind of warranty for them. The $35 extra I paid for the road hazard warranty at Discount Tire totally replaced a tire when I got a big puncture from, of all things, a wheel weight.

 

[Lucky mike]

drive E'm til they blow!!!!.....then head to the scrap yard & pick up another 10.00 cracked & dried and move on!!!............

 

[Zil]

Lucky mike, don't even say that as a joke. you may meet them coming at you.

 

[caseyc]

I get the feeling that's how Lucky Mike rolls, haha.

 

[GotSmart]

There is a reason they call him "Lucky"

 

[SternWake]

My previous set of tires had plenty of tread left, but were horribly cracked at 8 years old.

I was not trusting them for long hot highway drives those last three years.

I believe they cracked so badly due to dollar store tire shine in combination with rally car type driving in Baja with aired down tires. Any tire shine containing petroleum distillates will eat the rubber. A huge percentage of tire protection products actually contain petroleum distillates.

Those Michelins held up well to a lot of abuse.

I now use Aerospace 303 on my New tires to help prevent cracking. Makes them nice and black without being too Shiny. These will likely have lots of tread left at the 5 year mark too.

 

[Lucky mike]

LOL......they call me lucky because within 2 years I beat 5 major medical events and lived through them......

diabetes.......comma 10 days!!!!
Pancreatic Failure.......again comma 1 month
Spinal stenos-is Paraplegia 3 levels......lost arm & leg use but still going strong
Quad plus Bypass with 2 inoperable aneurisms....
national News....Exeter Serial infector.....Gave me a bad dose of HIV & HCV and I made it thru one year of chemical therapy with all of the above still on my back!!!!

Im only 54.......and dam "Lucky" to be alive!!!!!!!

 

[caseyc]

Dang, Lucky Mike! Ever heard of Super Lotto?? You should start playing!

 

[Bdog1]

Going back a bit.... There is a DOT number stamped into the sidewall of every tire, probably on the inside, the last four digits are the week and the year made. Useful information if your not sure of your tires age, and if your shopping tires! Make sure "new" tires are fresh and used tires with a little less tread but decent dates might be cheaper than older tires that haven't been run much.

 

[Zil]

Car manufactures generally recommend replace tires at six years unless tread-worn sooner.
Tire manufactures state replace tires if 10 years old, no matter how they look.
Here is some info about tires, interesting read.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=138
http://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle+Shoppers/Tires/Tires+Rating/Tire+Aging