Automotive

When is it really time to retire tires?

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  • May 25th, 2005 7:40 am
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Deal Addict
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Jul 15, 2003
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When is it really time to retire tires?

A few months ago I bought new tires for my 2001 Corolla because one had a slow leak, i was at 100,000Km, and I got a good deal on new ones. After reading a few forums and websites it seems that getting 100,000km on the OEM tires is unusual. They're michelin MX4 175/65/r14. But the treadwear indicators show that i still have about 2mm before it hits them. So I have a couple of questions. The tires are 4 years old, have 100,000km on them, show no signs of cracking or anything on the sides.

Does having 2mm left before hitting the treadwear indicator mean I could have kept driving without worry or were they already past when you 'should' replace them and the treadwear indicator is more of a 'HAVE' to replace them indicator?

Are OEM tires like mine supposed to last 100,000km? Judging by the prices of tires and how long their warranties are it doesn't seem so.

I guess i'm wondering if these tires are worth driving on again (either temporarily or if anyone else could use them) or can i use them for tire swings :-).
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Jul 15, 2003
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And here's a separate question.

I could use a few more useless tires for a landscaping project. Do tire stores ever give away they're completely used up used tires for free?
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Jan 2, 2004
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2/32nds of an inch is the legal limit
that's how tire tread depth gauges are measured, in 32nds of an inch
anything below that is not exactly legal, even DOT approved compounds should be above 2/32nds of an inch when driven on the street. nobody really takes it into consideration but if popo stops you and wants to be an A-hole and measure your tread depth, he can deep your car unsafe for the road and tow it off
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Oct 22, 2002
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'sauga
Tread depth is only one measure of the ability of a tire to be driven on. Over time, temperature and normal driving conditions stress the tire in ways that aren't always visible.

But the true test of a tire is how it feels when driven. Are the sidewalls getting soft? Do they stop within an adequate distance? Any unusual road noise, bulges or rythmic thumps that might indicate a slipped or broken belt? Do they handle adequately in wet weather? Cold weather?
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Dec 10, 2004
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Getting 100K on oem tires (or any tire) is good. Ones rated for 120K or something close to that is an overstatement just like your gas milage as given by EnerGuide. If you got that much out of it, you got your money's worth. You really aren't saving much by driving a bit longer on tires that are almost down to the legal limit, just replace them (as I think you did).
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Oct 12, 2001
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Tires have wear bars - they look like black stripes across the face of the tire - you see those, get new ones, quick.
What the H E double hockey sticks have I done now?
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Jul 26, 2004
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If you have to ask, you should probably be replacing them soon. Why play games with the only thing holding you to the road?
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Sep 7, 2004
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Michelin MX4 were great tires because I had a set.
Too bad Michelin doesn't manufacture them anymore. They were replaced by the Harmony.
100K is very good, but you're pushing your luck because as mentioned, over time the rubber compound hardens and the grip just isn't as good. I was in the same situation and it was hard to let go of the MX4's, but better safe than dead.
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Nov 12, 2003
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Webhead wrote:Michelin MX4 were great tires because I had a set.
Too bad Michelin doesn't manufacture them anymore. They were replaced by the Harmony.
Are you implying that Harmony are not so good? The tire place I went to is suggesting a Michelin off-brand (Cavalier Primera?) which they claim is as good as the Harmony.
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Mar 21, 2003
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The tread mark guide is not telling you that you should NOW change your tires, it's saying you should have already changed them.

As others have said, if you are questioning it, just replace them.. you got 4 years and a ton of km on this set.. they are done! Just because you haven't hit the legal minimum tread doesn't mean the tire won't hit a nice piece of debris on the 401 and completely disintegrate.

Would you rather replace them today at your convenience or replace them next week when one tire is destroyed while enroute to work?
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Mar 31, 2003
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On the car we use just around town I let them ride pretty much to the wear bar. The one that gets serious highway usage has tires replaced where yours are now.

If you think about it, there is probably about $10 worth of wear left on a tire that has 2mm compared to buying a new one today.
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Jul 15, 2003
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Did only a few people read my first sentence where I said that I just bought new tires? Seems like it :-)

Thanks for all the information though. I won't bother trying to keep these old ones and will use them for that landscaping thing I wanted to do.
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Jul 26, 2004
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Kevinck wrote:Did only a few people read my first sentence where I said that I just bought new tires? Seems like it :-)

Thanks for all the information though. I won't bother trying to keep these old ones and will use them for that landscaping thing I wanted to do.
I think everyone read it. I'm sure most of us are just saying what should be done in general, and for next time.

Tires and landscaping....that's so 1989. I just dug those out of my backyard in '95 :lol:
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Aug 6, 2001
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Stuck in a Box
you throw them away when you drift at every corner turn!
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Gevaltech wrote:Are you implying that Harmony are not so good? The tire place I went to is suggesting a Michelin off-brand (Cavalier Primera?) which they claim is as good as the Harmony.
Imply?? No way. if you reread my post, IMO the MX4 were great tires. Excellent traction on dry/wet roads.
Michelin replaced these tires with the Harmony, which I have never bought or used so I don't know how good the Harmony's are.
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Sep 4, 2003
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I have a similar question but it relates to truck tires.

I've still got my OEM tires on my Toy Taco 4x4, there's still lots of tread left..these tires are beasts, but considering the truck just turned 10 years old but with only 90,000 km's on her.... are the tires done just based on 'length of use'. I know when I bought the truck new, the dealer had told me they see lots of trade ins come in 10+ years old with OEM tires still on them in good shape...but I'm thinking even big truck tires would have a 'time rating' on them wouldn't they.

The sidewalls look fine, there are some cracks along the dread but nothing that seems too deep.

Any truck guys out there??
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Aug 5, 2003
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rc51 wrote: I've still got my OEM tires on my Toy Taco 4x4, there's still lots of tread left..these tires are beasts, but considering the truck just turned 10 years old but with only 90,000 km's on her.... are the tires done just based on 'length of use'.

The sidewalls look fine, there are some cracks along the dread but nothing that seems too deep.

Any truck guys out there??
Cracking in the tread or sidewall indicates the tires are done and should be replaced if you concerned about yours or others safety.

10 years is a long time for a set of tires, I have read that you should replace tires every 4-5 years because the rubber will degrade over time, and won't stick as well to the road, something very valuable when trying to avoid an accident.
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Jan 11, 2004
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you should replace your tires, all it takes is a puddle on the highway and you hit it and hydroplane and crash. you can skimp on a lot of things on a car but definitely not tires. you can even get away with skimping on some maintance, but tires are your most important safety equipment on your car.
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Mar 21, 2003
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Kevinck wrote:Did only a few people read my first sentence where I said that I just bought new tires? Seems like it :-)
I read that you bought new tires, tho didn't read it good enough to notice you had them installed too.

I thought you were just waiting to get them put on... and asking as in when you should put them on.
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Sep 6, 2002
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gilboman wrote:you should replace your tires, all it takes is a puddle on the highway and you hit it and hydroplane and crash. you can skimp on a lot of things on a car but definitely not tires. you can even get away with skimping on some maintance, but tires are your most important safety equipment on your car.
good advice. I kept telling my buddy to get winter tires instead of his crappy worn out all seaons. 4 months ago he wrote off his car when he smashed into a parked car. :cry:

get new tires, you'll enjoy the extra grip
Autocorrect sucks

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