Ford's new tire recommendation

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stevie - 31 May 2005 18:55 GMT

I have noticed that Ford is recommending that tires be replaced after six
years, regardless of the remaining tread. Apparently, they have determined
that the tire's internal components are subject to failure after 6 years and
the tires are no longer safe. Ford also says to discard the spare, even if
it has never been used.

This article was in the Wall Street Journal, 5/31/05.

Chrysler has apparently had this recommendation for some time; European
autos also carry this. GM is not recommending a tire change after a
specified period at this time.

My Michelin XC LT4 tires have some very small sidewall cracks. The tires
are about 5 years old now. The tire date code on the sidewall says 12001,
meaning it was made the 12th week of 2001.

Just wondering if I should change them now, or wait awhile. I still have
some tread after 48000 miles. Summers are hot in Texas.

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Ashton Crusher - 01 Jun 2005 07:36 GMT

>I have noticed that Ford is recommending that tires be replaced after six
>years, regardless of the remaining tread. Apparently, they have determined
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>Just wondering if I should change them now, or wait awhile. I still have
>some tread after 48000 miles. Summers are hot in Texas.

What do you think happens to those 5 year old tires that are "unsafe"?
They are bought by used tire dealers and re-sold and used for the
remainder of their tread life. I'm sure at some point tires are "too
old" but I'm not at all convinced it happens anywhere near the 5 year
mark, probably more like 10 years.

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Big Shoe - 01 Jun 2005 12:54 GMT

No doubt rubber and synthetics deteriorate with time. The polyester
tire cord contains heat stabilizers that help it retain strength, but
the cord gradually loses strength. At some point, the tire is no
longer good, at least at speed. Only real question is when that point
is reached.

>>I have noticed that Ford is recommending that tires be replaced after six
>>years, regardless of the remaining tread. Apparently, they have determined
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>old" but I'm not at all convinced it happens anywhere near the 5 year
>mark, probably more like 10 years.

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Hairy - 01 Jun 2005 13:08 GMT

> I have noticed that Ford is recommending that tires be replaced after six
> years, regardless of the remaining tread. Apparently, they have determined
> that the tire's internal components are subject to failure after 6 years and
> the tires are no longer safe. Ford also says to discard the spare, even if
> it has never been used.

It looks like there is a bit of a.s covering going on here, at the expense
of the consumer, especially in regard to the spare tire. I don't really
blame them though, in light of their last tire debacle.
H

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C. E. White - 01 Jun 2005 15:40 GMT

I have some tires on farm equipment that are more than 20
years old. Heck, I have some truck tires on a home made farm
trailer that are more than 50 years old. They look bad and I
would not use them on a road vehicle, but they are still
holding air.

There is one difference in modern tires. In a lot of cases
the compounds have change to reduce rolling resistance. This
may have a detrimental on resistance to aging due to
exposure to sunlight.

Regards,

Ed White

Steve wrote:

> I have noticed that Ford is recommending that tires be replaced after six
> years, regardless of the remaining tread. Apparently, they have determined
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> Just wondering if I should change them now, or wait awhile. I still have
> some tread after 48000 miles. Summers are hot in Texas.

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