|
|
Post by millard1399 on Dec 14, 2009 16:26:07 GMT 10
G'day All, Over on the Vintage forum, a thread has been posted about the hazards of using aged tyres. I thought it would be of interest on this forum as well, so I've copied the relevant bits over here. The first link will take you to a feature story done in America by their ABC News TV channel. It is a video (wait for it to come up) that runs for about 9 minutes. If you are on a dial-up internet connection, it may take some time to load on your computer fully. The link is: abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897There is also a website that will explain the various markings that can be found on both walls of a tyre. This website explains in simple language what all the various numbers and letters mean. The website link is: www.lets-getaway.com/tyre-markings.htmIf you have trouble accessing either or both of the links above, here is a summary of the information... Car manufacturers recommend that tyres be replaced six years after manufacture, whether the tyre is still in "good condition", or not. This is because the rubber deteriorates over time - it dries out and becomes brittle. There is a greater potential for the tyre to fall apart (explode?) at speed, when the tyre gets older than 6 years. But how do you tell when a tyre was manufactured? On one side of the tyre there is a set of letters and numbers that start with the letters DOT. At the end of this string of letters/numbers, there will be either 3 or 4 numbers. This is the date code. If 3 numbers, the first two are the week number, and the last is the year number. Only tyres made before the year 2000 will have 3 numbers. So for an example, a number code of 308 means the tyre was made in the 30th week of 1998. Starting from the year 2000, the number code was increased to 4 numbers, with the first two numbers being the week number, and the last two numbers being the year number. For example, a number code of 3008 means the tyre was made in the 30th week of 2008. The American TV show went undercover to various tyre outlets, and there were examples found where a "brand new/unused" tyre was being sold that had been made 6, 10, 12, or in one case 14, years before. cheers, Al. |
|
|
|
Post by millard1399 on Dec 14, 2009 16:36:47 GMT 10
Following the information presented above, I went and checked the tyres on the Millard. They are light truck tyres, and at first glance you would think they were "almost brand new"...  Plenty of tread showing...  But have a look at the date of manufacture!...  Made in the 16th week of 2004. Which means that in April/May next year (2010), these tyres will be 6 years old. Which means that according to the industry recommendation, I should be seriously looking at replacing them sometime next year. And I haven't even taken the Millard out for a spin yet!  cheers, Al. |
|
|
|
Post by kiwijim on Dec 14, 2009 21:22:54 GMT 10
Howdy Al, That;s very interesting about The age of tires, I am just wondering if the Manufacturers are taking into consideration the difference between a tire stored under cover and one that has been in direct sunlight with the full weight of a car on it for most of it's life. I do recall having to change tires in the past that look brand new,as far as the tread goes, but the walls were completely shot being cracked all the way around. The same caravan had perfectly good tires on the opposite side because they were protected from the sun by an annexe. Cheers kiwijim  |
|
|
|
Post by mike on Dec 17, 2009 12:36:49 GMT 10
Seasons Greetings Al, ;D ;D ;D
This thread is very enlightening. How many breakdowns, let alone accidents, are happening due to this factor!!
In another thread, I mentioned how we had 'tread separation' from the tyre casing on the LHS wheel on the way up the 'Centre', and had to go back to Alice Springs to get replacements including the old spare which was terminally damaged when placed on the van at the roadside. Those damaged tyres had good tread but still failed.
The re-placement tyres were 8ply rated G Yr Radials, and were bought in July,2001.
I haven't rushed out to check the date of manufacture of the replacement tyres.
They are probably about 50% worn on the tread, and in about 50,000km of holidays since, have been one of the best set of tyres we've had. Only recently, we travelled through mid-swestern NSW, then up to the Gold Coast, then down to Narooma: 3 short breaks over 8 weeks: about 4000km.
On inspection, at home, I noticed just yesterday, a tyre side-wall stress crack about 11cm long and about 2mm deep running around the side-wall just 1cm below the edge of the wheel.
They've been on the van since July, 2001 (just before 9/11), which means we've had them 8 years. Our van has always been exposed to the weather.
Guess how many tyres I will be buying for the van in the next few weeks!!
Cheers
Mike ;D ;D ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by mike on Jan 10, 2010 0:56:00 GMT 10
Greetings Al, ;D Premature tyre failure is common for us. They get to about half worn out and the tread comes off the casing, or in today's case, the tyre wall fractures.  These are 8ply rated steel radials (Good Year brand [not your cheap Chinese]). Note the fracture starting at the lower wheel balance weight.   This was discovered when I went to check on the age of the van tyres: they've been on the van since July 2001, and were made in 2000. Two things: I would not have seen this fracture 1. if Al hadn't put this item on the forum.... a big thanks to you, Al!  2. if the fracture had been on the inside of the tyre!!   I'm going to keep the one good used tyre as a spare: the current spare is brand new (made in 2006), so it will go on the road with the one new one.... when I get round to it. Cheers mike ;D ;D ;D |
|
|
|
Post by bobt on Jan 13, 2010 20:37:02 GMT 10
Hey Mike Gladded you looked. We are luck we have this site to prompt us to check some of the things we take for granted. I had a bit of scare a couple of years ago. I had a good brand tyre on my van that showed it had plenty of tread. Had the van professionally serviced by caravan people then took it away. While out on the road a tyre developed a bulge on the inside. A kind motorist told us. I swapped it for the spare. About an hour later it "Popped" If it was on the van while I cruising at 100k it would certainly have got my ticker pumping. Sat back a thought about it that night and came to the conclusion the tyres on the caravan were 9 years old. We got home a couple of days later and I replaced all of the tyres. Since then I have done two trailers with one left to go... I have not looked to see how old some of these tyres are but I suspect one set was old enough to qualify for the pension. Gotta watch these things carefully... |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2010 22:44:01 GMT 10
Gday all Back in late 70's I worked for Goodyear at Granville NSW where tyre were made and we would buy a tyre when you could afford it ( on staff discount) and put in shed for 12mth. It would double their life as they were sold green (under cured or softer) to encourage wear. However a Friend who is still in the tyre game advised me this is no longer the case as they Go OFF even in the shed due to todays manufacturing process. thanks for bring this subject up as for all of us love this site cheers Bazz |
|
|
|
Post by mike on Feb 19, 2010 15:33:41 GMT 10
G'day everyone.. ;D ;D ;D This is just an update... I took the van in for ONE new tyre to replace the 'fractured' off-side one in the photo above. I planned to try to match the new one with the spare which had never been on the road. The near-side used one was going to be the spare.  Result: Firstly, they couldn't match the spare tread, so decided to leave it as the 'spare'. Secondly, I bought two new tyres for the road. Thirdly, I was going to keep the used near-side tyre (as a 2nd 'spare' as I had a spare rim for the new tyre.) I DITCHED this near-side tyre because it was TEN TIMES WORSE for multiple fractures around the INSIDE of the tyre similar to the One found on the off-side tyre in the photo. Like bobt above, I was absolutely amazed it still held air.  Either tyre could have blown at any time, despite the very good and deep tread on each, 9yrs old. (And didn't Atog blow a "new" tyre on his recent trip to the Gold Coast??)  Anyhow, I have decided to make some new safety rules for tyres, for ourselves... At 6yrs, I will inspect both outside AND inside walls of the tyres: replace if suspect. At 7yrs, I will do it again. At 8yrs (if not already replaced) the tyres will be replaced, even if I don't see anything 'bad' with them. ;D ;D ;D It really is a great change for me to be saying that I will throw out tyres that LOOK ok, ... BUT I now look at it this way: The two new tyres cost $212 for the two ($106x2). If they last me 6yrs, that's about $35 for tyres each year; 7yrs is $30 pa and 8yrs is $26.50 pa These are good 8ply rated steel radial light truck tyres, and for the peace of mind of having good tyres under the van and not taking too greater risk.... ;D ;D ;D ;D Even 7 yrs at $30 a year, is looking good! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Anyway, that's our plan.  Cheers ;D ;D ;D mike |
|
|
|
Post by boblor on Feb 19, 2010 16:10:04 GMT 10
Hi All
My two bobs worth. I plan to throw them away at the 5-6 year mark, plenty of tread or not, because beyond this period there is a risk. As stated $200 or so will save a possible accident and most of all damage to the underside of your van, -- how much repair can you do for $200 and the inconvience.
I too had heard what I have stated and considered I look after my tyres, so I thought I would test this out. I had three 8ply LT new together and on a trip at about the 6th year they all faulted with 75% tread,-- two blistered and the other de-laminated,-- lucky no accident or damage to the van.
So my advice is tryres are cheap at 5-6 years wear, compared with the possible alternative.
Cheers boblor
|
|
|
|
Post by mike on Feb 20, 2010 15:21:20 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Feb 20, 2010 17:06:38 GMT 10
Hi Ladies and Gents
Here's my experience on new tyres
When traveling to the Sunshine coast in January I had a blowout
Or more rightly a flat
The tyre just went flat no bang no pop.... just phttttt
When at the tyre place they couldn't find a fault with the tyre..... except it was flat and now ruined.
I said I'd take the near new tyre back to Cairns and >>>> it up>>>> of the place I'd bought it
you get the idea
The reply was that I had driven it flat and they would not do anything about it and neither would we...... sorry
So I didn't take it with me.
OK so I had driven it about 300 metres to a safe place to pull over. That was the only thing that I could do.
Moral to this story is that even new tyres will let you down at times (no pun intended)
It's a gamble .... you pays you money and takes you chances
Admittedly I didn't have a spare because of not being able to get a rim that suited.....
Lesson learnt
Now have a spare tyre and rim thanks to other members of the forum.
Always have a spare..... I've found out the hard way.
Cheers
Atog
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2010 21:55:41 GMT 10
Mike,
you've hit the nail on the head, tyre makers only want one thing, PROFIT, that's why they make tyres as they do. So we mugs just have to keep paying out and hopefully keep ourselves safe.
I am sceptical about the supposed 6 year life on tyres but will keep my own council in this regard . I am trained to inspect Aviation tyres and certify their fitness for flight so my interpretation of minor defects is different from the general publics. I will say no more but I do lament the passing of well made Aussie tyres that lasted to the end of tread life. something we don't see now.
Frankidownunder.
|
|
|
|
Post by lisa on Mar 22, 2010 21:55:34 GMT 10
Wish I'd read this before I towed my girl up the range! Could have been a disaster waiting to happen... I towed my van home under permit, then about a wek later I noticed she sprung a flat so I took the wheel off and into Tyre power - as the tread was all good (van hadn't been anywhere for a LOOOOONG time!) I asked if they could repair it. The guy took one look at the tyre and said "where the hell did that come from?" I said "a caravan, why?" He says "mate they haven't even made those kinds of tyres for about thirty years! "So can you fix it?" I ask  (if they had a smiley for batting eyelids I'd have put that one in!) Needless to say I was sold a brand new tyre and told to bring in the other wheel STAT. Cha-ching $200 - and let the fun and games of restoring an old van begin! To be honest it's gonna end up being the least of my expenses with this van - but with a solid chassis, wheels and drawbar and an aerolite frame I'm prepared to spend the dollars on the stuff that makes her safe. If only the car didn't need two new tryres in the same week.... |
|
