allanb Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 (Moderators: don't worry, this is not an ad.)I have a set of winter tyres on steel rims, bought when I lived in a place where there was snow and ice in the winter. I don't need them any more and I'm thinking of trying to sell them.They are undamaged and are no more than 50% worn, but they are about 10 years old. I've done some internet research on tyre life, and it seems there are different opinions on the extent to which tyres deteriorate with age. I think I would be morally obliged to mention the age of these tyres to a buyer, but my specific question is whether there is any law or regulation in France that limits the age at which tyres can be (a) used, or (b) offered for sale. Does anyone know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted July 5, 2008 Share Posted July 5, 2008 I don't know about legality but the condition of old tyres tyres will be very much down to how they have been used and stored.If they have had prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV then they will definately have deteriorated massively and will likely show it but if they have been in a cool dark place, a garage loft perhaps, then they will probably be fine.On a personal point the tyres on my MG for instance are now around some 8 years old and show no sign of deterioration whatsoever but then it has always been garaged when not actually being driven.I think you do have an obligation to disclose their age and let a potential buyer decide for themselves. How much is a set of half worn winter tyres likely to be worth anyway ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanb Posted July 5, 2008 Author Share Posted July 5, 2008 Not a lot, but a few quid in my wallet is better than four wheels taking up space in the garage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave21478 Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 This page...http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.htmltells you how to decode the date stamp on the tyres. In my last job, our tyre supplier said 6 years was the maximum usefull lifespan of a tyre. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracteurtom Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Depends what they are going to be used for ? I would say at 10 years, even if they have been in dark dry storage they are way past their best for serious road use. But as a shopping car or a tractor / 4x4 off roader or to put on a car to sell, they'll be fine. Stick them on ebay, buyer beware and all that I wouldn't mention the age not unless asked.Ernie, I'd look to change those 8 year olds also if you do anything more than local low speed trips. Even then old tyres are risky. I was told that if you are involved in an accident and that you are found to have defective tyres, the blame can very easily be yours. Any serious motorist looks after their tyres and changes them if in any doubt about their effectiveness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 8 years or not I have no doubts whatsoever about the quality and reliabilty of my tyres and have no plans to change them anytime soon. No way could or would they be considered 'defective' [:'(]If you had been in the Porsche following me a on a local club a month or so ago when we were going b*lls out down an 8km twisty mountain road at the end of which my brakes had totally boiled and gone (even with silicon fluid) I think you'd agree [;-)]The grin from that weekend is still etched on my face [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracteurtom Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 [quote user="ErnieY"]If you had been in the Porsche following me a on a local club a month or so ago when we were going b*lls out down an 8km twisty mountain road at the end of which my brakes had totally boiled and gone (even with silicon fluid) I think you'd agree[/quote]No not me I afraid, though would love it to have been [:D][:(] Know what you mean about a big smile after a hard drive [:D]Re silicion brake fluid, get it out of your brakes its not as good as a top spec mineral, no matter what it says on the bottle. Use it in the clutch, thats all its good for if you speak to those in the know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 [quote user="tracteurtom"][quote user="ErnieY"]If you had been in the Porsche following me a on a local club a month or so ago when we were going b*lls out down an 8km twisty mountain road at the end of which my brakes had totally boiled and gone (even with silicon fluid) I think you'd agree[/quote]No not me I afraid, though would love it to have been [:D][:(] Know what you mean about a big smile after a hard drive [:D][/quote]Tee hee.[:D]I did a ride out during Le Mans week for some of the guys who came over from the UK. Nothing like the site of the tiny red (Italian) dot in my rear view mirror as we pounded round the Sarthe. Nothing like knowing the roads either....[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracteurtom Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 I'm still trying to imagine Lewis Hamilton's smile after his spectacular drive today - he must be half way to the moon by now !Not seen a drive like that since Schumacher. All the others were just alsorans by comparison ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 All three drivers on the podium deserved to be there. I just reckon that F1 needs a bunch of guys with hosepipes to indiscriminately turn them on and off during all GPs and then the whole sport might get exciting again. Great race. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 [quote user="tracteurtom"]I'm still trying to imagine Lewis Hamilton's smile after his spectacular drive today - he must be half way to the moon by now !Not seen a drive like that since Schumacher. All the others were just alsorans by comparison ![/quote]No need to imagine : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/7492011.stm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracteurtom Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 [quote user="Russethouse"][No need to imagine : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/7492011.stm[/quote]No RH, his real smile, the one inside his head, those are just boring press pics - the one of DC with LH says it all (I dont want to do this anymore ..... Boring old arse !). and that Jenson Button needs a kick were it hurts as well, that or get rid [:(]Yes F1 has become a bore, the hosepipe thing is a good idea !. I call it Formula round and round, shame really I use to be a big big fan. I think since the death of the great Arton Senna, F1 as been in self destruct. However young Lewis is worth watching, he has the knack I think, but like Schumacher, nobody on the circuit comes close so the race more often than not becomes boring. Now Mansell vs Senna vs Prost in turbo cars ................. WOW [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 My personal theory is that every attempt to make the formula more exciting has resulted in the reverse happening. I was entertained by Sterling Moss's comment before the race : "We only had one set of tyres. They probably thought we weren't inteligent enough to chose."All this tyre changing and re-fuelling mid-race just takes the onus off the driver, and puts it on to the strategists and the pit crews, thus we have no idea who's really the fastest - unless one person stands out at Lewis did today (and boy can Heidfeld overtake? He can't have leant that in F1).Anyway, racing just isn't racing unless it goes on all day and all night.[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanb Posted July 6, 2008 Author Share Posted July 6, 2008 So are you all saying that I should offer my old winter tyres to Lewis Hamilton? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proxima Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Tyres over 6 years old are deadly.The rubber dries out and cracks and the tread can completely seperate from the tyre itself.There have been numerous tests of this situation and some of the most experienced and skilfull testers have not been able to keep control of the vehicle when this seperation occurs.Please follow this link http://www.belowtopsecret.com/forum/thread367303/pg1%27 and see what's being said about it there too.This is all relatively new info that the general public are slowly becoming aware of.A 'brand new tyre in a car spares shop/showroom that is over 6 years old is highly dangerous and shouldn't be sold for normal road use.Until they make a law to combat these dangerous tyres, more people will suffer.You can also find videos on youtube showing exactly what happens in controlled tests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulT Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I once bought a car and did not like the grip of the tyres. Took it for a new set of tyres and the fitter asked if I was changing them because of their age. I told him it was because of lack of grip. He then pointed out all the small virtually invisible cracks in the side walls.From then on I could see why old tyres are lethal.Some caravans cover very little mileage each year but the recommendation is to change the tyres on a regular basis - I think the Caravan Club recommends every 4 years.Selling old tyres so that they are then used could mean the death of an innocent motorist or pedestrian and, in my book, is totally irresponsible - you know the risks otherwise you would not have posted here or, if not, you now know!Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Wiggy Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 I would certainly throw these tyres away, as has been said regarding the deterioration factor alone would render them completely unsafe.Yes generally F1 is boring, not so yesterday, I would certainly recommend Moto GP for the excitement factor but then I'm bias being an ex road racer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanb Posted July 7, 2008 Author Share Posted July 7, 2008 [quote user="P2"]Selling old tyres so that they are then used could mean the death of an innocent motorist or pedestrian and, in my book, is totally irresponsible - you know the risks otherwise you would not have posted here or, if not, you now know![/quote]Well, the majority view seems to be that tyres do deteriorate with age, but how old is "old"? At what point, in your opinion, does it become "totally irresponsible" to use or sell tyres - when they are 4 years old, or 6, or 10, or what?I don't think there can be a precise answer. My question was whether there is a legally defined answer. It seems that there isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gosub Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 If you had a 10 year old one owner low mileage car, with good tyres would you replace them because of age? I doubt it. unless they showed signs of wall fatigue/cracking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anton Redman Posted July 7, 2008 Share Posted July 7, 2008 Probably I would. A school friend of mine whose parent's collection included a pre war Alvis and a Studebaker Avanti spun their Van Den Plas 1100 then first time he drove it. it had ben left parked for six months after his mother's death. Anybody who has driven a BMC 1100 or 1300 in anger will tell you that provided you ignore the little pedal in the middle they can be quite quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday Driver Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 Here's what Michelin says about Service Life for Passenger Car and Light Truck Tyres:The following recommendation applies to passenger car tyres and light truck tyres with C or LT marking.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). The date when a tyre was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tyre. Consumers should locate the code on the tyre which begins with the letters DOT and ends with the week and year of manufacture. For example a DOT code ending in "2204" indicates a tyre made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracteurtom Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 [quote user="gosub"]......... unless they showed signs of wall fatigue/cracking.[/quote]and they will if you look close enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tracteurtom Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 [quote user="Sunday Driver"] 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. [/quote]and where does one find one of those that doesn't have an interest in selling you a new set !!!![:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gosub Posted July 8, 2008 Share Posted July 8, 2008 user="tracteurtom"quote user="gosub"......... unless they showed signs of wall fatigue/cracking.and they will if you look close enough. That's the idea, check them out ! "unless they showed signs of wall fatigue/cracking."Then you would want to replace them wouldn't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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