TheSamba.com :: View topic - Tire date code... What's acceptable when you buy "new" tires?

Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:03 pm

I just purchased new tires. The date code on them is "1715" and "1815". That makes them manufactured almost exactly 2 years ago. Is that ok or are they starting to get too old to be sold as "new"? I've always been under the impression that tires should be replaced within 5 years of the date of manufacture regardless of how much tread is left.

Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:11 pm

That sounds pretty old for tires that are of a popular size.

Sometimes when you order a size that is uncommon you have to expect those sort of dates as manufacturers may only make them in a batch and then cease production until demand again catches up with supply.

5 years is fairly conservative. It is a personal choice but I usually count on 7 and may get closer to ten depending on the 'story' (e.g. exposure to UV, etc). Never more than 10.

So far as I know there is no reliable way to assess the condition of an old tire by simply looking at it -- unless it is visibly failing. IOW, even if it looks good you still have to assume that they age out.

Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:15 pm

Ahwahnee wrote: That sounds pretty old for tires that are of a popular size.

Sometimes when you order a size that is uncommon you have to expect those sort of dates as manufacturers may only make them in a batch and then cease production until demand again catches up with supply.

These are 205/70/15 size tires.

The last time I ordered new tires (215/65/15) they were within 1 year of the date of manufacture.

Both sets are Nokians.

Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:19 pm

That sounds like it should be a popular tire size. In fact, I think I have that on one of my cars.

Here's an online opinion: http://tinyurl.com/kk4b3fm

I think you have a beef with the supplier.

Tue Apr 25, 2017 7:46 pm

it'll be fine.
Nokian tires aren't a fly out of the store kinda of brand to the normal consumer
also Nokians don't ship from overseas on a weekly basis either..
but yours may have been poorly rotated, and from the bottom of a stack.

Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:16 pm

I think I've read 6-7 years.

So, if we assume 7 years, that leaves 5 years.
And then, to me at least, the question becomes "Will I wear out these tires in 5 years ?"

My last pair of nokians I wore out in about 3-4 years, so I'd be okay with that.

But if you figure it's going to take 7 years ( or more) to accumulate enough miles to wear them out, then you're being shorted.

Tue Apr 25, 2017 8:43 pm

Those seem like old tires to me. Based on my experience, I wouldn't run Nokians past 6 years. Nokian doesnt support tires more than 6 years old and below are pics of my 7 year old Nokian that failed last year. If you're putting 10k - 15k miles a year on these tires you should be fine. If not, I'd ask for newer tires. Last year, when I replaced the WRG3 tires they were all less than 6 months old when purchased.

Wed Apr 26, 2017 2:40 am

I have two cars running 10 year old tires , granted around town only. These cars are used weekly and that's good for tire life. Those are Coopers..not a top shelf brand but decent.

We run our boat trailers from 5-10 years depending on percent of load rating. Since they don't generally move from NOV to APR.

Next year the tire industry will discover a higher risk of valve cap delamination at 3 years and start a new internet myth that you can put an eye out.

As always , monthly,.....inspect tread for abnormal wear, dry walls for dry rot, monitor pressures , and roll then to 2/32 or your parameter.

Use the date code for two things

Chisel down the price based on the 5 year rule
Combine them and play Lotto...I've won twice, just sayin......

Wed Apr 26, 2017 7:58 am

Abscate wrote: I have two cars running 10 year old tires , granted around town only...

Our miles are almost all at highway speed and my wife will be driving half the time.

I was the passenger when she safely brought the van to a halt after the RR tire exploded - but I'd prefer not to repeat that.

Like many failures -- that tire was just fine, right up to the moment that it wasn't anymore.

Wed Apr 26, 2017 8:26 am

ThankYouJerry wrote: I just purchased new tires. The date code on them is "1715" and "1815"...
I'd be in touch with that tire shop & get crabby about a partial refund.
I'd start by asking for 33% off, but settle for 20 or 25% if you're nice... :wink:

That, or swap for newer stock which is what you expect for full price... :roll:

- Dave

Wed Apr 26, 2017 9:43 am

I believe the Tire and Rim Association says to not install tires that are more than 6 years old. That gives you about four years to run them if you want them off by ten years old. I think a lot of how long a tire last depends on where you live. The PNW is probably good, while the LA basin and the deserts of the SW are probably bad. Putting extra air into your tires before you let them sit for months is probably a very good thing to do but few ever think to do so. A tire that has sat flat for very long should probably be junked.

Wed Apr 26, 2017 1:08 pm

jimf909 wrote: Those seem like old tires to me. Based on my experience, I wouldn't run Nokians past 6 years. Nokian doesnt support tires more than 6 years old and below are pics of my 7 year old Nokian that failed last year. If you're putting 10k - 15k miles a year on these tires you should be fine. If not, I'd ask for newer tires. Last year, when I replaced the WRG3 tires they were all less than 6 months old when purchased.

^Read and Heed

6 years max. on any tire of any brand no matter how much tread is left

Tell the Seller you do not want old tires. I got ripped off by GW when I bought their tire & wheel package and the tires were a year plus past the date code. I asked them for a partial refund and they lied.

I now avoid GoWesty and warn others to proceed at their own risk.

VC gives you cookies and is a stand-up company

Wed Apr 26, 2017 1:12 pm

re "where you live"

The rubber in tires will continue to cross-link via disulphide bonding whether it is exposed to oxygen, sunlight or what have you.

The above makes me wonder if where you live will affect longevity.

I certainly would not try to shortcut safety recommendations. Save money on brake bling or that groovey solar panel you want but will be obsolete in 2 years, or something else.

Wed Apr 26, 2017 1:34 pm

Heat, ozone , and UV are the enemies

In cool cloudy rural upstate NY, tires last a long time, a lot longer than 5 years

We were all trained to handle blowouts in the 60s, and road hazards are still prevalent-tires are better now than ever before.

Wed Apr 26, 2017 1:37 pm

From Tire-easy:

Proper Storage Increases the Life of the Tire

Properly stored tires that are protected from the elements and not mounted on a wheel age very slowly. There are strict industry standards for tire storage that apply to tire manufacturers, distributors and tire retailers. Tires must protect the tires from UV rays or excessively high temperatures. While these are the main contributors to excessive tire aging, it would still take years of exposure in the hottest and driest climates for the first signs of tire aging to appear. Whitening of the rubber, and shallow hairline cracks in the upper or lower sidewall may be an indication of UV and heat damage, but not something you would commonly see in new tires.
Sidewall cracking in a tire caused by heat and UV rays

Sidewall cracking due to heat and UV rays

Tires on most vehicles that are used regularly are likely going to be removed from service due to tread wear out before any conditions associated with tire age. While it is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on tire age alone, the structural components of your tires simply don’t degrade quickly when used regularly and maintained at the correct air pressure. The tread rubber however, is used up with every mile travelled. Even tires on low mileage vehicles driven daily in cold climates will likely run out of tread before any signs of age related conditions appear on the rest of the tire.
How Old is Too Old?

A general guideline and consensus from the various tire industry associations around the world is that tires have a useful service life of 6 to 10 years. If you consider that the tread on even the longest lasting tires will be fully worn after 5 or 6 years of typical usage, you would still have some time before there is an elevated risk of age related degradation of the materials given proper care and handling.

No matter how old the tires are when you buy them, the most important aspect of tire safety is regular maintenance and inspection. According to The Rubber Manufacturer’s Association of America: Since service and storage conditions vary widely, accurately predicting the service life of any specific tire based on calendar age is not possible. For this reason, there is no specific limitation on the age of the tire when it is sold, based on its DOT Date Code.

If you have any questions about your tire’s DOT Date Code or tire age in general please be sure to call us and let us help you! We are always happy to help our customers!

Wed Apr 26, 2017 1:39 pm

Also information from the Tire Safety Group, note that they say that tires deteriorate faster in hotter parts of the country:

http://www.tiresafetygroup.com/tires-expire-in-six-years/

Wed Apr 26, 2017 8:47 pm

I think it depends on what you paid for them. If you paid full market price no discount, you might be able to get some type of refund.

I recently purchased BFG KO2s on line from Simple Tire for $140 each. I wasn't clear on why they were so discounted, but when they arrived the manufacture date was 1 YO. It made sense.

Plenty fine for me for the price. I think you're good.

Wed Apr 26, 2017 8:59 pm

Thanks everyone for the input, I appreciate all of it.

FWIW...

1. I paid full price.
2. I'd be fine with full price if the tires were within 1 year of DOM.
3. The retailer seems to be willing to work with me and we are in the process of figuring out options (discount, replacement, or return).

Next time I buy tires I'll ask the vendor what the DOM is before I commit.

Mon May 01, 2017 9:53 pm

This is late ,but are those tires rated for a vanagon

Mon May 01, 2017 10:29 pm

vwoldbug wrote: This is late ,but are those tires rated for a vanagon

Yes.

The set currently on my van are Nokian WRG2 215/65/15.

The new replacement set in question (regarding the date code) are Nokian WRC3 205/70/15.