dale
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Joined: 22 Aug 1999 Posts: 3087 Location: Seattle, WA USA
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Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 6:28 pm Post subject: Old Tires |
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I just came across this 20/20 video done in 2008 talking about the hazards of driving on old tires. I suspect that most of us here don't drive on tires older then 5 years old, for the most part. But what about other cars in the family?
If you're interested, or want something to send your cheap brother-in-law who doesn't believe in buying new tires until the old ones are bald, send them this info:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/aged-tires-driving-hazard-4826897
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In the report they mentioned the UK tire association(?) was calling for a 6 year expiration date on tires.
I think that would be the simplest solution, in addition to putting a manuf date on them, put a clear expiration date.
When you take the car in for brakes, obvious, noisy issue, the tech can point out, "your tires are close to expiration".
I can see getting in an accident, if you had expired tires on, that may help Troopers point to "mechanical defect, expired tires, lack of maint." instead of the generic "too fast for conditions".
One reason I think the tire companies are not in a rush to put these dates on, is it may open up a big door for lawsuits on previous tire sales.
Found some more info on this subject:
http://www.aa1car.com/library/tire_expire.htm
Ford has called for a 6 year expiration date:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB111749893211146635.html
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24390155/
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/car-part-longevity/tire-sell-by-date.htm
I believe it is mainly UV sunlight that kills rubber, so in the not-so-sunny NW, our tires are likely stickier longer, but tires are so important, I don't think it's worth taking the risk.
My wife's VW Beetle TDI, made in 2004, only had 30k miles on it, the tires looked fine, but it didn't handle the wet roads very well at all. I'm sure the tires were factory original before I replaced them in 2009 with some Conti Contact tires, and it has transformed the wet weather performance.
Dale _________________ http://www.unofficialbmw.com
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dale@unofficialbmw.com
sold in 2016
87 325 5spd eta |
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