old tire safety

[Highbanked Hauler]

  Has anyone had any vintage tires(blow out) while driving not just loosing air but exploding or coming apart ? The 275-60-15 Goodyear white letter eagles  on my 500 are almost 20 years old and are getting splits in the side walls and I don't see them as safe at any speed and Goodyear isn't making white letter tires anymore. What are you using?

[A383Wing]

yea..cracks lead to sidewalls failing.

I'm running "Grand AM Radial GT's" outlined white letter tires on the Daytona

[Fred]

Sounds like they've passed their use by date. Splits is an indication that you need to get new tyres. I wouldn't risk driving with splits.

[ws23rt]

I have a set of B F Goodrich radials on my Coronet. They are now 30 years old at least. I can't find a date on them.
There is no indication of cracking anywhere. Always inside and less than 100 miles on them.
I have always wondered about the safe lifespan of these and would hate to have to toss them.
If I asked a tire shop I am sure they would tell me I need new ones.

What is the real answer to a tires life span?  I know what it is for me.

[A383Wing]

I had a set of tires on the black 66 years ago...the cracks in the sidewall were up to 1/4" wide....had to toss the tires. They did not have many miles on them....they still had the little tits on the tire tread. Problem was the car sat outside all the time and the sunshine caused the cracks

[green69rt]

I'm going to throw out a few thoughts.  Two things happen to tires.

First they get damage and wear.  I think most of us would recognize a worn out or damaged tire so not an issue.

Second is age.  Tire rubber goes thru an aging process that is slow but it does happen.  Tire rubber is Butadiene and it tends to polymerize with time.  This cause the rubber to become hard and may becomes less flexible and crack.  All tires do this, good bad and ugly.   Ozone promotes this, so does heat.  The cracks form when the rubber gets hard and then you drive around and the rubber flexes.  Cracks appear.  Buy new tires and put them on your car and never drive it for 20 years and they will look great.  Drive for a few thousand miles and the cracks show up.  

Bottom line.  Old tires are a hazard.  Some of the old tires are hard to come by and some want their cars to look correct but.... think about the price of the tires and the bucks you have in your car.  It's the same argument that goes on about good brakes vs vintage brakes.  How much risk are you willing to put up with to get the correct look??

Just some food for thought, personally, Once my tires get more than about 6-8 years old, I start thinking about replacement, no matter the milage.  How old are the spares in you trunk, ever think about them (talking about new cars.)

Ramble, ramble, ramble.....

[Fred]

I have a set of B F Goodrich radials on my Coronet. They are now 30 years old at least. I can't find a date on them.
There is no indication of cracking anywhere. Always inside and less than 100 miles on them.
I have always wondered about the safe lifespan of these and would hate to have to toss them.
If I asked a tire shop I am sure they would tell me I need new ones.

What is the real answer to a tires life span?  I know what it is for me.

I've got Goodrich on my Pontiac too. I've had them for 11 years and have done around 12000 miles and they're as good as new. (I can't find a date on them either). But as has been said, it's not hard to work out if a tyre needs to be replaced.

[A383Wing]

the date of tire is coded into the tires serial number...first 3 digits maybe?

heard that somewhere

[myk]

20 years?  Those tires died 15 years ago.  Please get new ones.  Even if they aren't "correct" at least you'll be alive...

[tan top]

yeah , there was a big thing on this a while ago , its not just the cracking / weather checking , something actually happens to the rubber , 

[Highbanked Hauler]

yeah , there was a big thing on this a while ago , its not just the cracking / weather checking , something actually happens to the rubber , 

   Thats what I am wondering. These tires have about 18K on them and the car is stored inside. I have a set of "stock" Coker Redlines the same age and they have always been in a cool place and the rubber is still soft. Last year I had the outside 8 year old dual explode on the Cummins  and wiped out the bolt on fender so I am thinking the same thing could happen to the 500 if a tire lets go.

[tan top]

yeah , there was a big thing on this a while ago , its not just the cracking / weather checking , something actually happens to the rubber ,  

  Thats what I am wondering. These tires have about 18K on them and the car is stored inside. I have a set of "stock" Coker Redlines the same age and they have always been in a cool place and the rubber is still soft. Last year I had the outside 8 year old dual explode on the Cummins  and wiped out the bolt on fender so I am thinking the same thing could happen to the 500 if a tire lets go.

 yeah exactly ,  ok for pottering round a show field , at any kind of speed out on the road , IMO would not risk it     especially on our chargers .

some reading here 

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4813029&page=1

http://www.tiredefectslawyer.com/aged-tires.php

[HPP]

  Has anyone had any vintage tires(blow out) while driving not just loosing air but exploding or coming apart ?

Yup. Two on one trip, both on my trailer. They came apart with enough force to severly dent the fenders on my trailer. Trailer fenders are easily 2x as thick as automotive sheetmetal. One bent the trailing edge of the fender around 180*. No bending this one back.

[1BAD68]

I have Indy 500's on mine that came with the car when I bought it back in '04.
They no longer leave the nice dark black lines or a ton of smoke when doing a burnout, I think the rubber gets hard and they don't grip like when new so I'm going to get new ones next season even though they show no signs of weather checking, cracking, etc.
Maybe test your tires by doing a burnout 

[JB400]

I wouldn't try doing a burnout with old, cracked tires.  It might wipe out a quarter panel if the tire comes apart.

[1BAD68]

Ok I guess I'll be a little clearer.
Try a burnout only if your tires show no signs of cracks, weather checking, etc.

[Highbanked Hauler]

Ok I guess I'll be a little clearer.
Try a burnout only if your tires show no signs of cracks, weather checking, etc.

  Which the Goodyears do. Small cracks near the rim and larger ones in the sidewall The Coker redlines will be just that ,for show/meets. Its one of those things the plans got changed on me with the wreck in 98.