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bluebottle



Member Since: 08 May 2015
Location: Not in my Landy enough!
Posts: 705

United Kingdom 
The tired tyre question...
(Firstly, I know there's a search function but it's throwing up too much material and I can't seem to narrow it properly)

Having read a couple of tyre topics and bearing in mind I've just had to renew all four on the wife's daily drive (BM with runflats - open wallet surgery Big Cry ) it's got me thinking.

So, I checked the 110 and it seems I'm running 2 General Grabber TR (front) and 2 Continetntal CrossContact (rear), the driver's side front is date stamped (on the inside only, tyre wrong way round?) 0805 which I understand makes it over 12.5 years old and likely to be the spare that came fitted as I have an 05 plate car. The other three are within the 6 year bracket cited by some manufactures to make you buy more tyres keep you safe.

Two questions for your combined wisdom:

1. As long as the tyres on an axle are the same, does it matter that those on the other axle are a different pair?
2. Should I be considering ditching an apparently serviceable tyre just because of age - there is loads of tread left and no signs of cracking, perishing or flaking etc.?

Many thanks in advance.
Post #649401 10th Sep 2017 6:05pm
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Ads90



Member Since: 16 Jun 2008
Location: Cots-on-the-Wolds
Posts: 800

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 CSW Keswick Green
Re age, this from the AA:
Quote:
There are no hard and fast rules on age.
Check for signs of cracking on the sidewalls of tyres four or five years old if your car is parked outside and get them replaced if cracking is severe.
Any tyre specialist will be able to give you advice if you're not sure.


On a previous Defender I chose to replace 4 BFG ATs at 10 years old even though there was much tread left. There were signs of cracking in places.
The replacements were the same (but KO2 v. KO I think) made the ride slightly but noticeably more supple, and grip increased a little too. Not surprising really, as the rubber will harden with age.
I would do the same again now - 10 years seems plenty.
Post #649560 11th Sep 2017 11:23am
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oneten110



Member Since: 02 Jul 2011
Location: Wish I was still in France
Posts: 741

United Kingdom 
from Rospa
Rubber compounds used in tyres contain anti-oxidising chemicals that help to slow down the natural ageing
process of untreated rubber. However, tyres do deteriorate with age, which increases the risk of tyre failure.
There will also be a deterioration of the ride quality caused by vibrations through the tyre, which may signify
the tyre's performance has been affected by age and should be investigated as soon as possible.
There is no law governing the maximum age at which tyres may be used on the roads for cars. Tyre
manufacturers do not seem to have a consistent recommendation because the roadworthiness of a tyre
depends on many factors, including the condition in which they are stored, the use to which they are put, road
conditions, how well they are maintained and the driver’s driving style.
RoSPA’s recommendation to motorists is to ask their tyre manufacturer for the age at which they recommend
tyres should be changed, and to regularly check their tyres for age-related defects, such as
 Cracking/crazing on the side wall of the tyre, caused by its flexing
 Distortion of tyre tread
 Deformation of the carcass of the tyre
Tyres that display these signs of ageing should be removed and not put to further use.
Vehicles which are stored for significant periods (motorhomes, caravans, ice cream vans, classic cars, etc) are
more likely to need to replace their tyres at a younger age even though the tread may well have hardly been
touched. This is because tyres have agents in their compound which are squeezed through the rubber when in
use to inhibit the ageing process; if unused for some time, these agents do not work, thus increasing the speed
of the ageing process. Tyres fitted as spare wheels or used on caravans and trailers may age prematurely.
If tyres on caravans or trailers are not in regular use, they should be inspected before each journey. Tyres used
predominantly in coastal areas will age at a greater rate due to the saline conditions, and several cleaning
products may also harm the chemicals in the rubber.
In most circumstances tread depth can be used as a suitable indication of when tyres should be replaced, as
tyre treads generally wear out before their age effects their performance. However, the age of a tyre will
affect its safety and increase the risk of failure, and so tyres should be inspected for the signs of ageing
regularly.

Personally I have had BF Goodrich AT tyres start to break up at a shade over 2 years old and I will never use their products again. I had the same set of tyres lose grip and slide going round a curve on a motorway, in the dry, at less than 70 MPH. No other vehicle was similarly affected.
Post #649601 11th Sep 2017 3:53pm
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