How old are your tyres? (1 Viewer)

[pappajohn]

The vehicle manufacturers servicing schedule sets an age limit for cambelts and other components. But they don't put an age limit on the tyres.

The only organisations I have seen who put an age limit on the tyres are the tyre sellers. Oh and the Caravan Club who also think a motorhome is not fit for purpose if it does not have windows in the back. So you know how I value their opinion

i agree...i was using the CC recommendation in my post:thumb:

 

[pappajohn]

just emailed michelin to see if they recommend a time limit...

did find this on their website but it is a general guide for tyres in everyday use.

After 5 years or more in service, your tyres should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year and if the need arises follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer in regards of replacing the original equipment tyres.

As a precaution, if your tyres have not been replaced after 10 years of service life from the date of manufacture*, it is recommended that you replace your tyres with new ones if the tyres have not already reached their legal limit of wear.

 

[Peter James]

there is no guarantee of a competely safe tyre (even new).

Exactly.

I spent most of my working life driving heavy goods vehicles, daily pushing tyres to their limits. In that time I had well over 50 tyre blow outs. Including a front tyre blow out with a 32 ton artic doing 60mph in the centre lane of the M1.Not one resulted in loss of control of the vehicle, or injury to anybody. So I am surprised to see the car going out of control in the video. I guess it must have been going so fast that there was no safety margin when it lost some grip on the road.

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[Braunston]

Hi,

I must agree that i usually have a healthy scepticism of "Experts" but in this particular case, why would we be prepared to accept the tyre manufacturers recommendations on type and size and pressure for our vehicles and then when they say, as most of them do, that their tyres OK for 10 years subject to the obvious conditions as "pappajohn" has posted, we just ignore it in favour of the non-experts that seem to be the fonts of all knowledge about everything.

I can't quiet see where the manufacturers are benefiting from suggesting longer periods for their tyres, can someone please explain

Quote" but from people you would expect to be able to trust." The only people I trust when it comes to tyres is the manufacturer especially when they are NOT trying to extract money from me, e.g. not telling me to replace their tyres earlier than THEY think is necessary, as i just can't see whats in it for them ?

Braunston

Thanks Braunston
I would love to trust the experts but I believe that your trust in them is dangerous.
There are two problems with that.
1. Many experts have a vested interest.
2. They disagree
For example I have received wise words from experts ranging from:
"Don't worry in the slightest about your (nearly nine year old) tyres"
to
"Change them as soon as possible, 5 years is the absolute maximum age"
Plus every shade in between.
Lets me reiterate. These weren't off the cuff remarks from the bloke down the pub, but from people you would expect to be able to trust.
Judging from the American report, I'm not sure that the work on tyre age has even been done or at least published, but I would like to see it. Relevant to this is the one piece of advice that all the experts have agreed on is that if they pass the required visual inspection (MOT) they are safe.
I have doubts about the validity of this. As you say there is no guarantee of a competely safe tyre (even new). The best we can hope for is rigorous statistical based testing which can provide a low probabilty of failure. Please don't think that I am totally negative about the thread. I would find a European Law limiting tyres to 10 years of age quite reassuring, hence the question.
K

 

[pappajohn]

just emailed michelin to see if they recommend a time limit...

.

and their reply...not exactly 100% helpful but.....

Dear Sir/Madam
Thank you for your recent e-mail.
Tyres are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tyre itself. These component properties evolve over time. For each tyre, this evolution depends upon many elements such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance, etc.) to which the tyre is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tyre in advance is not possible.

That it is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure maintenance by consumers, it is recommended to have passenger car and light truck tyres, including spare tyres, inspected regularly by a qualified tyre specialist, such as a tyre dealer, who will assess the tyre's suitability for continued service. Tyres which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tyres' visual condition and inflation pressure but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be an indication that the tyres need to be removed from service to prevent tyre failure.
It is impossible to predict when tyres should be replaced based on their calendar age alone. However, the older a tyre the greater the chance that it will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.
While most tyres will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tyres in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tyres, be replaced with new tyres as a simple precaution even if such tyres appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.
For tyres that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tyre replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).

Therefore our recommendations for Motorhomes are for a service life of 5-6 years (depending on condition), with the tyres being fully inspected annually, by a tyre specialist (MOT tester, tyre fitter/technician etc)..
Statement from the BTMA (British Tyre Manufacturing Association)
BTMA members strongly recommend that unused tyres should not be put into service if they are over 6 years old and that all tyres should be replaced 10 years from the date of their manufacture.
Most tyre manufacturers in the UK are members of the BTMA.
We have allocated your message the reference number indicated above. If you need to contact us again regarding your message, we would be grateful if you could include the reference number.

Once again thank you for your interest in Michelin.


Yours sincerely
Michelin Tyre Public Limited Company

 

[Braunston]

Hi, pappajohn

Thanks for posting the reply, do you read it the same as me in that motorhome tyres only have a service life of 5/6 years rather than the up to 10 as suggested for non-motorhome tyres ?

Braunston

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