http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897
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http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897
Thanks Gerd - that's good stuff. Car and Driver magazine (October, 2009) did an article on "How to Read a Tire Sidewall". They covered the manufacturing date, but did not mention any dangers involved in tire "aging".
Ozone is one natural enemy of all tires. And sitting outside in the sun won't do your sidewall any good - look for tiny cracks in the sidewalls.
As someone who keeps his cars and trucks around 20 years, I've worn out lots of tires, had too many "tread separations", and even a few blowouts, especially on trucks. Despite having paid religious attention to tire pressure.
Blowout advice - DO NOT USE THE BRAKES! Just let it coast to slow down - it won't take long with a flat tire! As the speed reduces, "play" with the steering just a litle and see how it responds. The last time this happened, my wife was driving about 70 and she just drove it down and pulled off the freeway, no real drama at all, eXcept for me hollering, "DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKES"!.
Ozone is one natural enemy of all tires. And sitting outside in the sun won't do your sidewall any good - look for tiny cracks in the sidewalls.
As someone who keeps his cars and trucks around 20 years, I've worn out lots of tires, had too many "tread separations", and even a few blowouts, especially on trucks. Despite having paid religious attention to tire pressure.
Blowout advice - DO NOT USE THE BRAKES! Just let it coast to slow down - it won't take long with a flat tire! As the speed reduces, "play" with the steering just a litle and see how it responds. The last time this happened, my wife was driving about 70 and she just drove it down and pulled off the freeway, no real drama at all, eXcept for me hollering, "DON'T TOUCH THE BRAKES"!.
1 year old... :)
Mine are unused but about 20 years old.
I would really like to use them when I finish my Speedster. The size, 175/70, doesn't seem to be available now.
I would really like to use them when I finish my Speedster. The size, 175/70, doesn't seem to be available now.
Have a right front steer tire blow out while going down a 5 mile 7% grade and into a sweeping left curve on a big truck at 75mph in the mountains of West Virginia......Now that is a an eye opener.
Wouldn't use 'em Mike. They are history. I saw the above video in the spring of '08. Checked Blackie's tires and they were 10 yrs. old!
I put on new Kumhos and an alignment right before Carlisle. What a difference that made!
~WB
I put on new Kumhos and an alignment right before Carlisle. What a difference that made!
~WB
Alan - do they have 'Runaway truck ramps' in Virginia? They have these along some of the long grades here in CA. Its a side ramp leading to a long bed of deep gravel (couple hundred yards).
I've got a set of "brand new" Goodyears on my current kit that were bought in 1988......
Can anyone spell "dry rot"?
;>)
Can anyone spell "dry rot"?
;>)
I have a friend who is a retired Tire engineer. He said that at 5 years, it's time to change tires. By then, all the moisture has left the tire and they will dry rot and be prone to a blow out.
Well Larry - Five year tires? You just made a real good case for buying the thinnest, stickiest, "max performance" tires for a low-annual-mileage speedster that I can think of!