Would You Replace These Tyres?

thisusernameistaken on 18/11/2023 - 14:40
Last edited 20/11/2023 - 17:53

Let's say you have a 14 year old car with low kms for the age (e.g 70,000 km). Two of the tyres are original (run flats), the other two were replaced. One tyre replaced 8 years ago and the other within the last year.

Given that the 50% off All Pirelli Tyres deal is coming up, would you replace any of the tyres (and which ones) even though they are still fine?

Are Pirelli tyres considered good tyres?

Edit: Checked the tyres and unless I've misread the manufacture year, the actual age is different. Two tyres are 8 years old, another 12 years old and the last less than a year old. I will be replacing the tyres

Automotive Tyre

Comments

  • ssfps on 18/11/2023 - 14:47
    +64

    even though they are still fine?

    lol

    • HeWhoKnows on 19/11/2023 - 07:32
      +17

      To elaborate further….

      Tyres are made of rubber and rubber degrades over time and loses its "elastic" properties HENCE GRIP!
      Other than losing grip, the tyres start to crack as well.

      Hence its recommended that tyres are replaced after 10 years regardless of how much tread is left on them.

      • Viper8 on 19/11/2023 - 14:26
        +7

        Tyre manufactures recommend 5 years.
        The compound deteriorates from oxidisation and UV exposure. Even when you can't see any tiny cracks, the rubber is still getting harder, translating to less grip.

        • HeWhoKnows on 19/11/2023 - 20:05
          +9

          I think tyre manufactuers have a vested interest in making this recommendation.

          Regardless there is a use-by date for tyres that is not widely publicized.

          strangely this is not part of the annual registration safety inspection.
          Only how much tread remains on a tyre.

          • Viper8 on 19/11/2023 - 20:58
            +1

            @HeWhoKnows: Annual registration safety inspection? I thought that was a Euro/ UK/ Japan thing? What states do that in Aus?

            • thewooz on 19/11/2023 - 22:12
              -1

              @Viper8: NSW unfortunately - all cars 6 years or older…i feel like its the car manufacturing lobby + the mechanic lobby getting their way

              • Viper8 on 20/11/2023 - 00:13
                +7

                @thewooz: Not a bad thing tbh. The amount of cars with all brake lights out, bald tyres, dripping oil, and god knows what condition brakes I see on the road all the time.

              • HeWhoKnows on 20/11/2023 - 08:02

                @thewooz: I thought it was over 3 years old????

                • aekt on 20/11/2023 - 08:32

                  @HeWhoKnows: It's required for the 6th year renewal onwards.

                  • seraphim2017 on 20/11/2023 - 10:47
                    +4

                    @aekt: Partners car new in 2018 required roadworthy for renewal this year so 5 years?

                    OP:Tyres are your only point of contact with the road, 10 years of Australian weather on rubber = replace them all and rotate/balance as needed. Tyre life isn't just depth of tread, although that's all that is looked at for the roadworthy.

              • lonewolf on 20/11/2023 - 16:20

                @thewooz: WAIT WHAT!, IS it only NSW that has this? I thought this was Australia wide…and possibly most countries world wide. Are you saying there arent other states where annually mechanics get to keep telling you to change tyres and brakes , filters even when they dont need them?

              • Dsiee on 21/11/2023 - 21:56

                @thewooz: I disagree, I think it is a great thing. We don't need dangerous shit boxes putting people in hospital and taxing the health system unnecessarily.

      • thesilverstarman on 20/11/2023 - 13:35
        -2

        Tyres haven't been made from rubber for decades. They are made from rubber compounds and synthetics to give a product that does not behave or wear the same.

      • CalmLemons on 20/11/2023 - 20:16

        It's 5 years. They lose grip and dry out.

    • 2esc on 19/11/2023 - 10:08
      +1

      They potentially may still need replacement even though the tread look goods have a closer look at the sidewalls with the age of the tyres its possible very small cracks have appeared.

      People usually look at tread and forget the sidewalls.

  • Gunnar on 18/11/2023 - 14:50
    +19

    Have a read of this and make your mind up on what’s right for you
    https://autoexpert.com.au/owning-a-car/2009/12/26/tyres-and-…

    Personally the things I don’t skimp on with cars are brakes, tyres and oil changes

    Yes replace them. Generally Pirelli are good tyres. Personally I just get Michelins as far as possible

    • thisusernameistaken on 19/11/2023 - 22:08
      +1

      Appreciate your thoughts. I had the tyre age wrong though, check the updated post.

      I read the article and I do agree so I will be getting them changed regardless.

      Although my question may have been perceived as stupid to many others, I was genuinely asking as a good friend who sold the car told me the tyres were fine. The car had been stored away from sunlight and driven occasionally throughout each year.

      • Boioioioi on 20/11/2023 - 10:46
        +2

        rubber ages man, tyres should be changed at 10 years MAX, personally I would change after 5, even if the read is good. What good is $800 if you have an accident and get injured? Its cheap insurance

        • thesilverstarman on 20/11/2023 - 13:37
          -2

          if you are buying rubber tyres then they must be 50 years old. Tyres are now made from rubber compounds and synthetics that do not age the same as rubber.

  • c64 on 18/11/2023 - 14:59
    +17

    even though they are still fine?

    no problemo. i wouldn't waste money on new tyres until the steel belts start showing, otherwise you'd just be throwing away perfectly good rubber

    • Assburg on 20/11/2023 - 10:36
      -2

      Yep 100%.

      You literally only need great tread if you're one of those drivers that speed up to red lights, cut in front of people, and think that torrential rain and puddles of water on the road doesn't warrant slowing down.

      Better to just drive like an old person, save money on petrol, tyres, other car wear, and use some of the money you save on a dash cam.

      • ThadtheChad on 21/11/2023 - 16:38
        +1

        Found the camry driver with bald tyres who drives 20km/h below the limit in the middle lane.

        • Assburg on 21/11/2023 - 16:46
          -1

          I generally just slow down so that lights can change to green and I can coast through an intersection, or if there's clearly something up ahead.

          Clearly downvoted by people who drive as if they're supposed be right behind the vehicle in front/don't drive to conditions/leave home late to everything. Sort your lives out lol, this is a forum for adults.

  • angywoo on 18/11/2023 - 15:03

    I thought tyres had a use by date. Doesn't the rubber go brittle?

    • Protractor on 18/11/2023 - 15:35
      -6

      Depends on where & when they were made. Ask a farmer what they would do (if the new tyres were NOT tax deductable) . New tyres or not?. There's your answer

      • life is suffering on 18/11/2023 - 16:37
        +8

        Different applications no ? Tractors don’t got 100 km/hr

        • MS Paint on 18/11/2023 - 16:48
          +7

          And getting a flat tyre in the back paddock at 7km/h is not going to cause mayhem.

          • Protractor on 18/11/2023 - 17:29
            -4

            @MS Paint: Gee, had no idea farmers did not drive road cars. Must use the father and son RAM combo for dragging the field bins around at 7KMH.

            • OZKap on 19/11/2023 - 07:41
              +9

              @Protractor: Are farmers particularly knowledgeable about rubber embrittlement on road car tyres?

              • Protractor on 19/11/2023 - 09:41
                -5

                @OZKap: Nope. just how to milk cows and tax payer handouts

                • OZKap on 19/11/2023 - 13:24
                  +3

                  @Protractor: I fail to see the relevance.

                  • CurlCurl on 19/11/2023 - 15:33
                    +2

                    @OZKap:

                    I fail to see the relevance.

                    I think most here know Protractor is a bit twisted.

      • DingoBilly on 19/11/2023 - 09:59
        +8

        Yes I always make sure to ask my local farmer the important questions. Great guy, helped me pick out a house and helps me with my taxes.

    • Hackney on 19/11/2023 - 06:52
      +1

      @angywooYes, correct.

  • FocusRider on 18/11/2023 - 15:13
    +4

    https://amp.9news.com.au/article/7975f548-6c04-41cc-93d1-f9c…

    Don’t be this guy.. tyres were 17 years old!

  • Cave Fire on 18/11/2023 - 15:21

    First thing is your thread depth. Especially for "roadworthy" or legal reasons. It's 1.5mm or easy way is to look at your thread wear indicators (blocks in tire groove). If the thread is level to the indicator time to replace. At below 3mm you will notice worse stopping, so people will replace around that based on what they want. link to using a 20c coin to check (https://leeuwintyres.com.au/top-10-best-tyre-tips-2019/

    Next is the age of the tyres. At eight years they would be pretty smashed. I got cheap new tyres for my fronts and a big difference. Less wear on your transmission as well. Have seen cars with bald tyres and the transmission goes…. You can get tyres for $30 at the wreckers and $15 for fitting.

    • brendanm on 18/11/2023 - 19:46
      +2

      Less wear on your transmission as well. Have seen cars with bald tyres and the transmission goes

      Haha?

      • Gunnar on 18/11/2023 - 21:08
        +2

        I think this like when you look up Heath related info online and everything leads to cancer ;-)

        … although if you had a DSG-equipped car where the transmission failed, guarantee you the dealership will blame it on tyres and not a crappy box

      • Cave Fire on 19/11/2023 - 20:11

        cheap drift car though…

      • thesilverstarman on 20/11/2023 - 13:38

        AWD vehicles need 4 matched tyres. Using unmatched tyres will cause wear on the transmission.

        • brendanm on 20/11/2023 - 14:38

          No it won't. Transfer case, possibly, transmission, no.

  • watwatwat on 18/11/2023 - 15:49
    +1

    It is a no-brainer to replace tyres that are worn to improve your safety. Check indicator to see how worn they are.

  • Baysew on 18/11/2023 - 15:54
    +1

    Yes, replace all four tyres and yes, Pirelli are considered good tyres. Would also fit ordinary tyres not run flat.

  • MS Paint on 18/11/2023 - 16:00
    +33

    Remember, we share the road with people like this. Stay safe out there everyone.

      • MS Paint on 18/11/2023 - 16:13
        +5

        Tell that to Paul Walker whose CGT had the original 9 year old tyres on the car. Dang. They certainly didn't help.

        • Jackson on 21/11/2023 - 23:24

          If only they made more of tyres in the Fast and the Furious movies.

          For everyone else though who doesn't drive like a hoon, it's probably not a huge deal

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 18/11/2023 - 16:10
    +1

    Keep 'em on, give them a sweet 16, then they get the flick.
    Mandatory /s

    • resisting the urge on 18/11/2023 - 18:17
      +2

      Too right. The older they are, the longer they last, as they get harder and harder, resisting wear.

      First time you notice it is in the rain, the car slips out much easier. With any luck you adjust and drive slower. The trouble is that others don't, so when you need to stop, steer, or both, you can't…

      • bbinc on 19/11/2023 - 09:45
        +1

        6 yr old Conti’s with heaps of tread started wheel spinning in the dry on the stop line paint (FWD). Swapped for new Michelin and it was like new suspension. Five years later the Michies were already becoming hard.

        • resisting the urge on 21/11/2023 - 16:18
          +2

          Well said.

          I've one ongoing investment with Kumhos that are now 6 years old. Like rocks, they are: The force is strong with them. Regular sliding seemingly makes no difference- the tread just won't wear down. Still predictable, but horrid for A-B travel. Even when warm and at minimum pressure, they're like wooden clogs on a greyhound.

          Sure you can say they are fun to drive (like a racing car), but loud, and this is at relatively slow speed with the car nowhere near its limits.

          • knasty on 21/11/2023 - 18:18
            +2

            @resisting the urge: My kumhos were like clogs when new. The swap to michelins transformed the experience.

  • Benoffie on 18/11/2023 - 16:41
    +3

    You had me at 2 run flats…

  • CurlCurl on 18/11/2023 - 16:50
    +1

    There is a word for people that run 14 and 8 year old tyres on their vehicle. Unfortunately I can't use it here, but it rhymes with numb.

    I'm assuming your car doesn't have a spare or a space saver as it has run flat tyres, so you will need run flat tyres.

  • AustriaBargain on 18/11/2023 - 17:48
    +4

    Tyres are the only thing that connect your car to the road. If they are 14 years old you should probably get new ones.

  • greencomet on 18/11/2023 - 17:56
    +9

    Imagine this bloke losing traction on the road and killing your family… but hey "the tyres were still fine!"

    • Protractor on 18/11/2023 - 18:41

      So if the post scenario is actually 'real' and hypothetically your scenario occurred, would 'plod' attribute blame to the tyres?
      Curious as to how often, or if, tyre age is questioned in traffic accidents and insurance claims.Does plod ever check this or do roadworthy certifiers expect certain aged tyres on vehicles?.

      • educalifa on 18/11/2023 - 19:47
        +3

        Age of tires do come into question. I know someone who got hit at a roundabout by a truck that had 18yo tires and it was determined the reason the driver failed to stop was the age of tires combined with speed. The tires had more than enough thread, just old stock I guess.

  • coffeeinmyveins on 18/11/2023 - 18:09
    +6

    Let's say you have a 14 year old car with low kms for the age (e.g 70,000 km). Two of the tyres are original (run flats),

    It's amazing that natural selection hasn't taken its course with you yet

    • holdenmg on 18/11/2023 - 18:25

      I didn't realise Darwin covered this scenario. lol

      Anything could happen between now and driving to the Tyre dealer.

    • Gunnar on 19/11/2023 - 08:14

      Imagine being the person who buys a car off this guy. I’d hate to think of what else gets neglected in general servicing

  • Malik Nasser on 18/11/2023 - 18:55
    -5

    If you only do low speed driving, and they still perform fine (wet & dry), then I would just stick with them and drive them into the ground.
    If you do any high speed (highway) driving, then I would change them. Could blow out at any moment (maybe they do, maybe they don't, but why take the chance?).

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 18/11/2023 - 19:20
      +16

      Wow, thought I was at the in-laws christmas dinner for a second there.

      • MonkeyMagic1977 on 18/11/2023 - 19:47
        +1

        Nup, you still have that to look forward to

    • MS Paint on 18/11/2023 - 19:25

      😴

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 18/11/2023 - 21:18

        Feeling tyred tired yet?

        • MS Paint on 18/11/2023 - 21:21
          +1

          Why change it to American spelling 😉?

          • Protractor on 18/11/2023 - 22:24

            @MS Paint: I think I get it.
            This 'tread' is full of people calling 'tread', 'thread' and "tyre", tire.

    • Protractor on 18/11/2023 - 19:45
      -1

      Is that you Dr Karl?

      Seriously I found diddly in NSW roadworthy about tyre age, just condition. Further more anyone here who bought a second hand car with good tyres and reckon they replaced full or near full tread tyres, in good overall visual condition, is 'avin a laugh'.

    • CurlCurl on 18/11/2023 - 19:47
      +3

      Had to comment here due to the stupid comments.

      So you added another 1,000 more words of stupid comment

      The main reason why tyres deteriorate with age is due to the oxidation process. As rubber is exposed to oxygen, it dries out and starts to crack. Most of this occurs in the inner layers of the tyre, and this can eventually lead to the inner layers delaminating from the steel belts rather than flexing as they are designed to do.

      Factors that affect tyre ageing

      There are four main factors that can determine the tyre life in years or how quickly a tyre will age:

      The inner liner – is designed to keep the air inside the tyre. Naturally, some air will always escape, but a higher quality tyre will have a higher quality liner, which minimises air leakage and reduces oxidation.

Driving – when tyres are driven, the internal oils circulate throughout the tyre and lubricate the inner layers. For this reason, when tyres are used less they are actually more prone to ageing.

Pressure – when a tyre is filled with air, the pressure will result in more oxidation than would occur if it was just being stored without air.
Heat – the greater the temperature, the more reactive oxygen becomes, allowing it to permeate through the inner liner and react with the internal rubber.
      • thesilverstarman on 20/11/2023 - 13:31

        Rubber yes. Not the rubber compunds and syntetic rubbers.
        Internal oils - there are no internal oils. The rubber compounds are solid.
        You keep talking about rubber. Tyres are not made from rubber anymore. They are made from rubber and compounds and synthetics which do not behave the same ways.

    • educalifa on 18/11/2023 - 19:56
      +1

      That's not entirely accurate… and to be honest it's quite deceiving to say 'the tyres are shaved down and remoulded and used for high speed'. There's a LOT more to it than just that. A lot! Which is why the price of those tyres are not as low as you'd think they would be.

      Tyres that can be rethreaded multiple times are tyres made specifically for commercial vehicle use, i.e. trucks/buses/etc. You won't find any passenger car/motorcycle tyre that can withstand that process multiple times. None. The construction of those tires are completely different. Even then, remoulded car tires go through a LOT before they can be put back on the road. In fact, the reason they get 'shaved' is to get rid of the OLD RUBBER! So to say to someone they will be fine driving around in 14yo tires is borderline criminal.

      I'm not gonna spend my Saturday night educating everyone here but I have worked in the industry before and there's nothing safe about driving around on old tires. They might 'look' good but that doesn't mean much as the rubber will degrade over time just like any other rubber you see in your daily life. Old tires tend to start to show 'cracks' and/or lose some of the ability to adhere to ground. This is especially true in the wet.

      • Protractor on 18/11/2023 - 20:27
        -1

        So can you still buy passenger car retreads, or not? Are they legal up to a certain speed or just illegal?

        https://tyreright.com.au/expert-tips/what-is-tyre-retreading…

        • educalifa on 19/11/2023 - 11:04

          Did you even read the post? At no point I said or even implied retreated tires are illegal.

          You probably also did even read the link you posted yourself as they're quite clear about "stripping it back to its casing‚ and then cementing on a new layer of the tread to replace the old worn-out layer".

          And you case you missed that too, that only happens on tires that have been inspected as the carcass might no longer be able to safely be used because, like I said, car tyres can't take MULTIPLE retreats as your previous post mentioned. It's also because they need to get rid of the OLD rubber since it's not longer safe to use.

          Hopefully you'll read this one… not holding my breath.

          • Protractor on 19/11/2023 - 11:16

            @educalifa: Did you read mine> I asked if they were, and did not say YOU said they were illegal.
            Is retreated your definition of retreaded tYres ?

            Did I say tyres can be retreaded multiple times? Nope, but I didn't write what was at the linked article.either

            If a passenger tyre can be retreaded after wearing out the tread, and inspected as safe, logically older tyres with ample tread, can be inspected as safe or not.

            Not 'all' older passenger car tyres are dangerous.There are so many variables for it to be a black & white answer. A 'recommendation is not a mandate.

            • educalifa on 19/11/2023 - 13:41
              +3

              @Protractor: Here's the thing, I also never said they were illegal… I said recommending ppl use 14yo tyres is borderline criminal. Again, you're not reading stuff or choosing not to understand.

              Also, the retreaded tires are not necessarily worn out. In fact, most of them were never truly worn out as that would damage the carcass and they wouldn't pass inspection. Retreated tires are almost always an old tire that had the old rubber removed, carcass inspected, new rubber laid on top. So no, they ARE NOT the same as using old tires. Not even close.

              Please stop spinning this bs before you get someone hurt

              • Protractor on 19/11/2023 - 14:11

                @educalifa: Yep, 14 years is stretching the reliability of the tyres , but there are tyre manufacturers who claim their tyres will last ten years .They would NOT be saying that if the opposite was true. They SELL tyres

                I can't hack the deliberate misspelling any longer. If 14 YO TYRES were borderline criminal there'd be a LAW.
                Risky,dumb and possibly selfish,perhaps.
                I'm just not accepting any of the versions of 'RETREADING processes any longer.It's not your knowledge base, nor mine, but I know enough to remember trading in tyres for retreads, and you got one shot.(no exchange on already retreaded tyres) Nobody, but nobody exchanged tyres that were still replete with decent TREAD, when retreads were more common.This was in the 1980's in Straya.
                You could get various patterns. B/stone Supercat was pretty popular.

                Readers, listen to the facts from tyre experts.Danger is down to the condition of a tyre.It's quality,compounds,usage,treatment,etc. Age is a part of the decision making process.

                Given this tHread at this point is hypothetical, so are the catastrophes associated with responses

                • freefall101 on 20/11/2023 - 12:59
                  +1

                  @Protractor: I've never seen someone double down so hard on arguing against common sense.

                  14 year old tyres that have done 70,000km are probably screwed, even you seem to accept that. But then you called everyone stupid for pointing that out.

                  No one is denying that OPs tyres might be the greatest tyres ever made and therefore ok to drive, but that they're asking for tyre advice on ozbargain doesn't suggest they have a whole lot of knowledge of tyres to begin with. And even if they were fine, at 14 years they should be replaced either way.

          • thesilverstarman on 20/11/2023 - 13:34

            @educalifa: Nothing to do with removing the old rubber, because firstly it's not rubber, but rubber compounds and synthetics. It is shaved down to give a flat and level surface to increase the surface area for the adhesives.

            • educalifa on 20/11/2023 - 15:16
              +1

              @thesilverstarman: just drive whatever you guys want, I'm done… dude gonna get pedantic on semantics now to try and get some sort of point across to justify being a massive cheapskate whilst risking everyone's safety. Good job!

    • blitz on 18/11/2023 - 21:27
      +3

      Wow, utterly wrong in every way. Plenty - plenty - of research showing tyre age affects friction, force and displacement. I can't believe you typed out that whole comment and not once bothered to check if any of it is correct.

  • freefall101 on 18/11/2023 - 21:17
    +2

    There is no use-by date and no length of time when they should be replaced. There have been plenty of studies and government enquiries done worldwide and no laws have ever been passed

    No laws have been passed on when you should throw out old underwear either, but if it's 14 years old it's probably about time. The skid marks left behind only add to the argument, it doesn't mean you can just ignore the age and kms done.

    Besides, the reason there's no use-by date is because people would just scrub it off and keep going because they're totally sure the tyres still have plenty of life in it yet.

    • colaman on 20/11/2023 - 12:50

      Wow, I need a lot of underwear thrown out then.

  • Brick Tamland on 18/11/2023 - 21:27
    +2

    You're scaring me.

    • mapax on 18/11/2023 - 21:44
      +2

      Have you considered hardening up? Just like OPs tyres will have by now…

  • Wiadro on 18/11/2023 - 22:27
    +3

    70k km on original tyres, wtf

    • Protractor on 18/11/2023 - 22:34

      OP never said any of this was real.
      And speedo clusters easily swap out (generally) . And ppl who own cars (they intend to sell) tell porkies.

  • Bilby s on 19/11/2023 - 09:03

    I’d just change they esp at 50% off so there’s no need to worry for the next few years. Pirelli p7 is a good tyre and go with normal not run flats.

    • Brick Tamland on 19/11/2023 - 13:25

      Get another 17 years from them at least

  • DazMon on 19/11/2023 - 09:15

    You mention that 2 of the tyres were replaced at different times, you're meant to replace them in pairs.

  • bobwokeup on 19/11/2023 - 12:06
    +3

    What I don’t understand is why you’d replace 1 tyre and not 2 at that time? That’s way the wear would be fairly even. I’ve got one tyre that needs replacing due to wear and the other side is okay but I’m still replacing both. Obviously I need a wheel alignment too as one side wore faster than the other.
    *edit: yes Pirelli tyres are good.

  • gentlekoala5906 on 19/11/2023 - 12:07

    Michelin Pilot Sport 5 👌👌👌

  • skillet on 19/11/2023 - 13:22
    +1

    Tyres should come with a use by date. This will stop questions like these.

    • Protractor on 19/11/2023 - 14:11
      -2

      Wrong. Date of Manufacture. Whole other animal

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