Forum:
Anyone know what Daihatsu's recommendation is for the maximum age of tyres, if any?
I've checked available tyre industry and manufacturer statements (my tyres are Bridgestones) and they seem to recommend 10 years, though they defer to the vehicle manufacturers recommendation in the handbook.
My handbook is in Chinese, but since its 25 years old I'd bet it doesn't say anything.
Ford and Chrysler apparently say 6 years
Tyre life
Look at thread
http://www.daihatsu-drivers.co.uk/node/15985
YRV Tony
Tyre life
Thanks. That's of some interest, but its mostly a discussion of winter tyres.
7 years is mentioned as being over the "shelf life" by one poster, but the source for the shelf life isn't.I assume its the 6 years I've heard mentioned.
I'm inclined to go for the tyre industry recommendation of 10 years. Ford et al's figure of 6 years is a blanket recommendation that has to cover some pretty heavy and high performance vehicles (which my sub-litre car is not) ,and I think much of the impetus for it came from Germany, where high-speed driving is legal.
Incidentally, though I'm not absolutely certain, I would bet the price of a set of new tyres that running tyres older than 5 years is NOT illegal (as stated by one poster), even in the UK. I'm very sure it isn't illegal here or in the US.
I believe Mytyres.co.uk
I believe Mytyres.co.uk website (delticom) state that new unused tyres stored correctly can still be classed as "brand new" for up to 3 years.
Once put into service about a further 3-4 years.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/RD-FAQs.pl?cart_id=64231521.110.26824&dsco=110&Category1=Questions+about+our+products&Category2=Tyres&Category3=Questions+about+tyre+age
But then they are in the buisness of selling tyres!
I think common sense here is best option, you can inspect if a tyre is crack free sidewalls and at the bottoms of the tread where it sometimes cracks. If the tyre is looking good with no visible effects of Ultra Violet ageing, the inside will be fine.
I've have used 10 year old tyres without concern, others have look perished after 3 years.
A regular inspection of both inner and outer sidewalls and checking the pressure is really all that's needed, if you see anything not happy with, change it.
Problem
I can't imagine that vehicle manufacturers can seriously suggest a tyre life, as reported by Ed.
The tyre manufacturers can do better, as they know the characteristics of the tyre materials which differ from tyre to tyre and manufacturer to manufacturer.
On the other hand neither car nor tyre manufacturer can predict the full conditions of service.
You can use a tyre for many many years, but one of the problems is that the tyres harden with age and the treads will slowly lose their ability to grip the road surface. The driver will only find out in an emergency how much grip their tyres have lost.
Thus recommended tyre life has to be on the conservative side. I have been told 5 years by several tyre companies and that seems eminently sensible.
YRV Tony
GRIP tyre softener! Look it
GRIP tyre softener!
Look it up, I have used it for a quite a few years on various tyres of all ages.
Brilliant.