Should i replace or roll the dice

[pnora]

Poster must have doubts about them. Tire wipes out a quarter or fender you can hardly buy the materials for what the tires cost.

 

[SlingLow]

I have been frugal all through my life (a necessity when you're poor) but have changed my thinking on certain things in my 60s. I ran tires until they burst (not what happened with the trailer tire posted above) because I wanted every last mile from them. Now, I consider replacing old, not worn out tires a fairly cheap insurance policy. Last year I replaced a full set of 15 year old tires with 11-12k miles on them. The car was from Texas and Oklahoma, and while there was no exterior checking, I thought I might see some heat related decay inside of them. They looked perfect when I inspected them, but the exterior was extremely hard and felt like plastic. What I noticed after replacing them was a much smoother ride - and peace of mind when hitting triple digits. A blowout at speed can be catastrophic!

 

[Darter6]

What I noticed after replacing them was a much smoother ride -

Agree. I waited 12 years to replace the tires on my old 88 Ram. I drive it less than 1000 miles a year.Mostly local hauling.
Tread was like new but cracks were starting everywhere. Dang things were hard as rocks and tough to get off the rims.
$800 later and the 1 ton rode like a late model car. Quiet too !

 

[mountain33]

Man what a response. I love the hole shot burnout route but dont do it anymore. For the cost and peace of mind will replace. Thanks everyone

 

[dan juhasz]

I would run them and pay close attention to any shake or vibration. You will feel a shifted steel belt long before it fails.

 

[SlingLow]

I love the hole shot burnout route but dont do it anymore.

Couldn't you make just one exception?

 

[1967coronet]

My 10 year old bfgs are coming off the 67 it's just not worth the gamble.
I have been going to do this since last year. Hell they may last another 3 years or 9,000 miles.
Or only another month.

 

[33 IMP]

I would not trust old bfg's. Old cooper's might be a different matter. If you're worried, buy some new.
I've got a 2012 that is still wearing the oem pirrelli's. They look perfect, and I'm not planning on replacing them for a while. They have 14k on em.
The 33's are sitting on 30 year old Lester's, without a crack. But I know I need new for them .
The trick is coming up with $5000 for twelve tires, tubes and liners. (Wire wheels)

 

[moparedtn]

Sure, I like spending other peoples' money....
Buy new tires, dammit!

 

[Kern Dog]

I have a set of tires currently on my car. Cooper Cobras. 3000 miles on them 10 years old. They still look like new, only issue is. When I was checking the tire pressure I noticed hairline cracks in the tread. Sidewalls are fine. Only small cracks on the tread. Ive read that the tread could separate. True? I barley use car anymore and when I do 50mph is the fastest I go and I usually limit my driving to shows within an hour ride. Is this something to be concerned about or am i just worrying for no reason? Not a big deal to replace them but why spend money needlessly. Got a feeling you all are going to say replace. Thanks in advance for responses.

This happened to a friend of mine:



I shot the video. I'm not sure of the age of the tires but they started wobbling so he pulled over and ended up having it towed. This was on a 2 post lift near his home. He was driving 70-75 and the car started feeling weird to him. He had it towed to a shop near his house and drove it the rest of the way home.

 

[Kern Dog]

Tire damage can happen many ways.....

Here is a classic failure....

Ernie McCracken dealt with a similar blowout...

 

[kiwigtx]

I only had that happen once - on my Charger. Had an egg develop on one rear tyre at speed. Pretty scary stuff when it happens.

I don't compromise on two things now - brakes and tyres.

 

[Kern Dog]

I must be charmed.
I've had numerous flats in my pickups but never lost a tire in a nice car. I had tires go flat in these though....

One of these events:

.....resulted in this:

 

[moparedtn]

This happened to a friend of mine:



I shot the video. I'm not sure of the age of the tires but they started wobbling so he pulled over and ended up having it towed. This was on a 2 post lift near his home. He was driving 70-75 and the car started feeling weird to him. He had it towed to a shop near his house and drove it the rest of the way home.

What brand?

 

[moparedtn]

Ed Mini-Story Time:
I've only had one tire to go south on me whilst driving in my entire life...and it shouldn't have.
Of course, I was in the midst of doing something I shouldn't have been doing also...but I digress.
I'm sure y'all remember the Goodyear Gatorback tires with the directional tread back in the 80s-90s,
right? They debuted on the Corvette, then usage spread to other new cars - like my '89 5.0.

They were bad for not lasting more than 20k miles and were expensive to boot - and as I found out
that day, their V speed rating did not necessarily preclude one of 'em going flat, in a damn HURRY,
at a speed we'll just call "north of 100"....in a damn MUSTANG - king of the swap-ends handling.
Fortunately, this happened during my days of SCCA racing, so I was pretty well versed in the cars'
behavior when out of shape and with a whole lot of thrashing and wrangling, I talked it into submission...
sideways in the middle of a back road.

I don't know if I picked up a nail or what, but that sucker went flat RIGHT NOW when it left me.
I never bought anymore Gatorbacks. Probably saved my arse in doing so, too.

 

[33 IMP]

I had a pepboys tire do the "classic failure" on my dually, outside tire. Took out the dually fender at 65 mph.

 

[danf_fl]

I'd replace them if it was mine. Tires cost less than body work and paint.

 

[roadrunnerh]

Buy new tires...

 

[Kern Dog]

What brand?

Those are BF Goodrich.

 

[RemCharger]

Don't drive on a flat for 200 miles like this guy.