Tyre Life?

umnama

Full Member
Sep 12, 2006
57
0
Evening all,

Just wondering what the general consensus is on the life of tyres. I have been informed by a local garage that tyres should not be kept on a car longer than 3 years, due to safety issues and that regadless of the tyre tread should be replaced.

All opinions welcomed

Thanks

Umar
 
Oct 17, 2006
2,141
0
Mid Wales
That sounds fairly sensible - we just had to have all the tyres replaced on the works minibus because the tyre walls had started to split - plenty of tread on the tyres but the thing doesn't get used enough and the tyres must have been around 3 years old.
 

CupraUK

Pushing on
Aug 15, 2005
1,350
0
Bedfordshire
My missus has got a 106 on an R plate (98 I think) and original tyres. Should I change them then, it went through the MOT fine?
 

Triple D

Guest
:roflmao: mine lasted 6k miles tops and that was after chaging them front to back at 3k miles............................... torque and power eats tyres matey ;)
 

dmmsta

Sold car - bought bike
Feb 10, 2007
787
0
Maidstone - Kent
My missus has got a 106 on an R plate (98 I think) and original tyres. Should I change them then, it went through the MOT fine?

Might be an idea...after that long you stand a much higher chance of blow-outs!

I doubt they'll break the bank on the Pug 106 tho!
 

Triple D

Guest
Flaming nora, 6k! What tyres do you use?

I used to use Toyo Proxies T1s's or T1r's. Dont get me wrong they were gripy, but just too soft a compound, and a 200 bhp diesel engine running 310lbft of torque and the fact that i had a heavy right foot most the time = no tires left :lol:
 
3 years sounds right at tops - none of mine have ever lasted more than two. 5 years is said to be absolute maximum due to effects of sunlight and ozone in breaking down the compounds and weakening the walls = nasty unexpected blowout. As has often been said, the tyres are the only bit between you and the road so don't mess or take chances. Just becaue the tyres look ok doesn't mean they won't shred when you least expect them to... :blink:
 

Jonny

slightly insane monkey
Jul 5, 2005
769
0
South Wales
The tyre trade can sell tyres up to two years old as new. Check the DOT code for week & year of manufacture, i.e. a 4 digit number e.g. '2605' means your tyre was made in week 26, year 2005.

The only check or recommendation I could find relating to "old" tyres is:

"Any tyre showing clear signs of wear or ageing ("cracking" or "grazing") must be examined by a tyre professional, even if it's un-run or little used, for example, spare tyre, tyres fitted to trailers, motor homes or caravans."

I think your tyre fitter is just trying to make a few quid. Most tyres will last a lot longer than 3 years and will not crack or graze if they're properly looked after.
 
After umpteen years on m/bikes and cars (and towing trailers) I've always kept to the regime of changing the tyres between 3 - 5 years after they were fitted. Maybe I've been lucky but I've never had a blow out - maybe that's just coincidence over 35 years of driving? My old dad (bless him) always drilled it into me that your tyres are the only thing keeping you on the road and connecting you to the road, so for how much they cost (relatively speaking) don't mess with them, inspect them regularly and change them regularly. Ozone and sunlight (UV) damage is not clearly evident - it can be very difficult to spot.

But do you want to risk a blow-out (with yourself or partner / wife / g/f) behind the wheel at speed / on a bend because of the cost of a pair of tyres? :shrug:

Just my opinion, of course. I'll stick to my regime for my car, my partners car and our :redface: caravan... :whistle:
You pays yer money and you takes yer choice! :)
 

LeedsLeon

Full Member
May 18, 2006
129
0
Leeds
I've always found it depend on the tyre make. The worst I ever had were pirelli p9000's. Not on my Leon though. They only lasted a few months of spirited driving. Whereas both Continental and Michelin have lasted me lot better.

I've never had more than 7k out of the set on the driven wheels though!
 

CupraUK

Pushing on
Aug 15, 2005
1,350
0
Bedfordshire
Have to say that the Michelin's on the back of mine have lasted really well. About 40k in 3 years. Been through about 3 sets of fronts in that time.
 
SWANSWAY CUPRA Dealership