Are my tires dry rotted? Can I still use them?

[ryu]

Can I still use these tires? The guy at the tire shop said I couldn't use them but the guy barely even looked at the tires. They do seem to have some cracking in on them. I'm not sure if the pics big enough so let me know if you need more pics.

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[99gst_racer]

He may have checked the date on the sidewall. If they are older than 6 years old, then it's very possible that he's refusing them on those grounds alone.

 

[->PrOjEcTGS<-]

Well, what's the history behind the tires? Have they been sitting for quite some time. Did you use them on a different car and know how long they've been in service? Does the rubber feel hard and are they still pliable with out them cracking. How do the sidewalls look?

If you feel good about them tell the guy to mount them and be done with it.

Remember, tire salesmen are in the business of selling tires. They want you to buy new ones instead of using your old ones.

 

[ryu]

No, he didn't check the side. He didn't get closer than 3 feet. He just glanced at them. How do I check the date of manufacture? I looked at them but didn't see a date.

Well, what's the history behind the tires? Have they been sitting for quite some time. Did you use them on a different car and know how long they've been in service? Does the rubber feel hard and are they still pliable with out them cracking. How do the sidewalls look?

If you feel good about them tell the guy to mount them and be done with it.

Remember, tire salesmen are in the business of selling tires. They want you to buy new ones instead of using your old ones.

Yeah I'm thinking he just just wanted me to buy new ones.

They have been off the car for two years. They were sitting in my shed. When you say how are the side walls, what do you mean? Like the wear on the corners? Or actual side wall wear?

I'm not sure how hard its supposed to be but... Maybe it will help if I take a bunch more pictues and post them up.

Thanks for helping

 

[habitatguy187]

I'd use them but I'm not exactly the safest person on the forums. Just check the tire pressure often until you can buy new ones, and if you do end up using these make sure you put the worst out of the four on the back. (Less weight on them = Less likely to do bad things)

 

[ryu]

I'd use them but I'm not exactly the safest person on the forums. Just check the tire pressure often until you can buy new ones, and if you do end up using these make sure you put the worst out of the four on the back. (Less weight on them = Less likely to do bad things)

I'll check the tire pressure on them also, thats a good idea thanks.

 

[TunaTalon]

The age of your tires is in code on the sidewall. See warning how old are your new tires? how to read da - Spero Forum - Baptist, Protestant, and Catholic Discussion

But those tires have obvious cracking in the rubber. If my liability insurance would be affected by your accident I would not have anything to do with mounting them on your car.

There is a long thread on this site on the topic but it eludes my search.

 

[99gst_racer]

There is a long thread on this site on the topic but it eludes my search.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/hangout/300876-pretty-freaky-check-your-tires.html

 

[TunaTalon]

That's it, thanks. Turns out that the key words I searched for were only in the link.

 

[MrBoxx]

Your tires have what is called "channel cracking." It's not terribly bad. If you were to measure the cracks, you'd probably find that they don't even extend all the way through the tread layer into the ply layers. I've seen much worse cracking, on much heavier vehicles. My BFG Traction T/A's have cracking worse than that. If you had some deep cracks on the sidewalls, that would be a different story. What I'd be more worried about is a separated ply. Were the tires stored mounted on rims and inflated or loose?

 

[ryu]

Thanks for the help guys.

I went to get a second opinion and it turns out that two out of four tires were bad. But not because of the cracking. One had a flat stop and other was bubbling on the side when air was put in it. The guy fixed my bent rim and air/balance two tires for free! So I just bought two tires and had them install it. It was a pretty professional business. I think they were helping out the young kid with no money.

 

[truwarrior]

Your useing two different tire types on a AWD? Or are they the same?

 

[ryu]

Your useing two different tire types on a AWD? Or are they the same?

They are different brands same size. Is that bad?

 

[Spyderman7]

I was going to message you on ebay that it looked like some of the tires in your pictures look dry rotted.I work in Chevy Chase and Northwest D.C.I'd like to come by and take a look.Can you message me with an address or phone#. Thanks Don

 

[asexton6969]

On awd cars all of your tires are suppose to be within 2/32 of eachother.