Tire life

Do not think in terms of time - Inspect the tire area between the treads. If you see cracks get rid of them. Obviously if you see side wall cracks you won't have to look between the treads.

 

Tire manufacturers say 5-7 years is tops for tire life, on or off the car. There are a bunch of threads on that topic already.

If the question is, "How long can I store them?" then that's the absolute answer I guess.

From personal experience I've stored snow tires 2-3 years, bagged, on their side in a dry relativeley even temp environment without any problems, I have not gone longer than that so don't have any experiental data to support it further.

The tires themselves were a year old when I stored them, on rims, inflated originally about 10lbs over the running pressure but still within the tire's specs. WHen I checked them for the car, they had only lost a few lbs. Actually had to let air out of them to get to the proper pressure.

DM

 

Agreed. Storing them in bags, away from light, at good temp like you did also helps. This is what i have done for years with snow tires and track tires.

 

Yep, 6 years is the rule here, and rightly so. I am about to replace a hardly-worn set of P Zero Nero because they are coming up on 6 years old. I really need to get out more. Maybe I'll go up to Jebel Hafeet and try to use them up....

http://ahsoon.net/2006/09/12/the-world-greatest-driving-road/

 

Scott, I can't think of a better place to use up your tires I did the Jebel Hafeet run soon after the road was built--it was a real hoot!

 

Michelin recommends dealers return tires after six years. Ford and Daimler Chrysler issued statements staying on-vehicle tires should be changed at ten years. So, if only 2-3 years old and stored in doors you should be fine.