Tire replacement due to age

Are they cracked or dry-rotted, how often do you use the car?

 

I replace tires on each vehicle I own when they have 50% tread left or after 5 years. It's the only thing between me and ground so I figure that's pretty cheap insurance.

I'm no engineer and I may in fact be pissing money away by doing so, but I "feel" safer with that replacement schedule.

 

based on your use of the car , and the appearance of the tires, I am not sure it makes sense to replace them at this point, however this is just my opinion.

 

I totally agree here. It is the ONLY thing touching the ground and a little larger than a post card at that.

I say change 'em.....

 

Does anyone know? Is there such a thing as getting them shaved down? I have heard this a few times for tires starting to dry rott is this true or a myth and who does it?

 

A couple of the auto manufacturers (I know Chrysler for sure) and I think some of the tire companies now say "6 years regardless of mileage". This is due in large part to oxidation from the pressurized Oxygen in the tire seeping through the rubber and oxidizing the belts and breaking down the bonds between the various components in tire construction. From here we start getting into the whole Nitrogen in tires debate... But I've read the internal report at my employer as well as the publicly available documentation about such oxidation and I assure you, it happens.
That being said, the tires on the front of my car are 5 or 6 years old this year, but I have no plans to replace them. Just because it's degrading doesn't mean it's going to fall off the car, none have yet and I've used some really old tires in my day!
As for shaving, it can be done, but I've only seen it done in racing context to new tires; I wanted to find someone to shave a set of street tires that had some uneven wear but couldn't find anyone that had any clue about such a thing. Not even Sears (see lawsuit several years ago). Shaving wouldn't be of any use to help with dry rot as I've only ever seen it at the base of the tread.

 

They will be hard. My stored NSX has 12k miles and original tires. Last time I drove it (ABS disconnected) locked up the tires under Moderate breaking. Smoked Em. This while slowing down for a police car stationed near the exit to a car show I visited. He shook his head as to say "dumb a$$".
Looking for new tires now.

 

If you have "real" drives, then it may be best to replace them. I have Pierelli P-Zero's all around on my old Ford showcar and they are 8 years old and look brand new. Hardly worn at all. I drive the car once a month if im lucky. But......I only cruise that car around town, never try to push it around corners(its a tank anyways) and never take it out of town into the 100km/ speed limit. So I am happy to leave them on there as long as possible. But the 348, as I actually drive the car hard sometimes, would always replace the tyres as soon as I have doubts about them. The inner edges of the rear tyres are just about worn, so Ill look into some new tyres now. Was even looking at new mag wheels also. See what happens.

 

I would not drive a performance car or any car for that matter with very old tires. They may be just fine, but then again they may be suffering from internal degradation that is not visible on the exterior of the tire. Here is a link which discusses the accumulation of examples of people who have suffered sometimes fatal consequences for driving on old tires. The first article specifically notes that Gregory Wilkenson was driving a vintage 1978 Ferrari in Wyoming on Aug. 21, 2003 when a tire tread separated, leading to a rollover. Wilkenson had purchased the car nine days before the crash, and he was driving on tires that appeared to be new. The failed tire's manufacturing code revealed it was eight years old. http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0505/20/A01-188098.htm

The following article presents both sides position, including the argument of the tire manufacturers in response to litigation filed against them for failing to warn consumers of the potential dangers of driving on old tires. http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1103138414522

 

I replace tires after four years notwithstanding its condition. The rubber hardens on older tires.

 

"Should I replace them because of age?"

Well, how old are you?

 

Absolutely. Tires, like batteries, only last 4-6 years, no matter how well they've been stored. The rubber gradually gets hard and compromises the tire's structural integrity.

Especially with something high-performance like a Ferrari, I'd highly recommend changing the tires out, including the spare (assuming one's present). With the Pirelli and Bridgestone high-performance tires, the compounds are designed to be soft for better road grip. If those tires go hard, you won't have anywhere near the traction you should.

Replacing the tires will definitely give you piece of mind.

 

Better yet, get some z rated tires and drive the car enough that the tires only last about a year anyway. ***Warning, Ferrari speculators scared to rack up the odometer, please look away now!!*** If you don't stick about 12k miles on that thing a year you are probably not driving it enough (though I would excuse people who live where there is an actual winter with salted roads etc for a significant part of the year; even I wouldn't drive an Fcar in those conditions). Works for me--despite the cost it is always exciting to get the new tires as the car always feels and sounds dramatically different than when it rolls on worn down tires.

 

The main reason you change tires on "time" schedule is becuase they will degrade (rot) from the inside out. Inspecting exterior tread and walls is not an indicator that the tire is safe.