Are my Winter tires safe?

Search this thread

Last Updated:
Dec 14th, 2019 9:49 pm

Tags:

winter tires

SCORE
+2
2
0

Reply to ThreadReply

Search this thread

Dec 11th, 2019 12:40 am

MK6100 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 10, 2019; 7 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 12:40 am

Are my Winter tires safe?

Hello all,

So a few days ago I installed my trusty winter tires for the upcoming weather. I was in the process of getting them installed on my vehicle when I noticed several small cracks running along the vertical tread line, along with a single line running across the sidewall. I addressed these concerns to my installer/mechanic who assured me that they were simply "weather wear' and that I could easily get two more seasons out of them. Leaving the shop, I wasn't completely satisfied with my installer's answer, so I stopped by another shop to get a second opinion. They also suggested that I was safe to drive on them. To give more context, I have had them for a few years now and was expecting to maybe get one more winter out of them, but after noticing the cracks forming on the tire, they have really worried me to the point where I have placed an order for a new set of tires which will arrive in a week or so. My only question is whether or not I am safe to drive on them for a few more days? I have already started taking precautions such as taking roads with a lower speed limit rather than the normal commute to work I take using the highway. I have attached pictures to this post for you to get a better idea of my situation. (205/65r15)

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Images

15 replies

Dec 11th, 2019 10:20 am

booblehead: Deal Expert; Jul 30, 2007; 28572 posts; 13972 upvotes; Toronto

Dec 11th, 2019 10:20 am

they seem to look decent to be used as "all season".

+1

Dec 11th, 2019 10:42 am

Webhead: Deal Fanatic; Sep 7, 2004; 5846 posts; 2215 upvotes; GTEH!

Dec 11th, 2019 10:42 am

They look OK, from the pictures. Is the rubber compound still soft where the tread is? Over time the rubber compound starts to harden up and isn't as soft as when they were when they were new.
I would use them for this winter and get NEW Winter tires next winter. IMO.

Dec 11th, 2019 11:10 am

MK6100 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 10, 2019; 7 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 11:10 am

I may be misinterpreting your answer, but they were not used throughout the year, only in winter. I suspect the method I was using to store them may have been incorrect, as the tire tread is quite deep and still measures about 8/32, but the rubber may have deteriorated due to the storage environment.

Dec 11th, 2019 11:17 am

MK6100 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 10, 2019; 7 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 11:17 am

How soft should the rubber feel? I can't give any real context as I have never used this method, but pushing down with my finger does make a small indentation.

Dec 11th, 2019 12:32 pm

woofster: Member; Jan 13, 2007; 490 posts; 373 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Dec 11th, 2019 12:32 pm

The tread depth looks good and if you say they still feel 'soft', then I would be inclined to say they will be perfectly fine.

It's not a bad idea to double-check the tire manufacture date code on the sidewall of the tire, just so you know how old they are.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech ... ?techid=11

+1

Dec 11th, 2019 12:46 pm

MK6100 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 10, 2019; 7 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 12:46 pm

woofster wrote: ↑ The tread depth looks good and if you say they still feel 'soft', then I would be inclined to say they will be perfectly fine.

It's not a bad idea to double-check the tire manufacture date code on the sidewall of the tire, just so you know how old they are.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech ... ?techid=11

They were manufactured back in 2012, which makes them about 7-years-old. I continued using them past the 5-year mark as there was no evident cracking, and because I only put about 5000km on them every winter. The cracks in-between the treads dont worry me as much as the ones running along the sidewall.

Dec 11th, 2019 6:12 pm

Gutty96: Deal Fanatic; Jun 24, 2006; 9163 posts; 3417 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 6:12 pm

If this is the last winter for the vehicle, they will be okay. If you plan to keep the vehicle for several more winters, it wouldn't be a bad time to get a new set.

+4

Dec 11th, 2019 7:02 pm

rubikas001: Banned; Dec 14, 2017; 719 posts; 1759 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 7:02 pm

The amount of you worrying while driving is going to be more dangerous than the tires themselves

+1

Dec 11th, 2019 8:33 pm

macnut: Deal Fanatic; Oct 26, 2008; 6361 posts; 2009 upvotes; BC

Dec 11th, 2019 8:33 pm

Was the 2nd shop you stopped at a dedicated tire store?

If so, they should have known enough to tell you that it's quite common for some models of Michelin to exhibit noticeable weather checking (dry rot) around the 5 year mark.

Two opinions from pros that they are safe should be good enough for you.

Depends what you have in mind when you say "safe". Safe from blowing out? Or safe in that they will perform well on slick roads?

It does look like the first set of wear bars are close to the tread surface now, so no harm in replacing them next winter for better performance, cracks regardless.

+1

Dec 11th, 2019 10:42 pm

MK6100 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 10, 2019; 7 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 10:42 pm

rubikas001 wrote: ↑ The amount of you worrying while driving is going to be more dangerous than the tires themselves

Haha. I hope not...

Last edited by MK6100 on Dec 11th, 2019 11:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Dec 11th, 2019 10:52 pm

MK6100 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 10, 2019; 7 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 11th, 2019 10:52 pm

macnut wrote: ↑ Was the 2nd shop you stopped at a dedicated tire store?

If so, they should have known enough to tell you that it's quite common for some models of Michelin to exhibit noticeable weather checking (dry rot) around the 5 year mark.

Two opinions from pros that they are safe should be good enough for you.

Depends what you have in mind when you say "safe". Safe from blowing out? Or safe in that they will perform well on slick roads?

It does look like the first set of wear bars are close to the tread surface now, so no harm in replacing them next winter for better performance, cracks regardless.

My main concern was the tire blowing out at a high rate of speed, which is why I avoided taking the highway on my morning commute to work. I wouldn't be too worried about them if they were just a few years old, but a tire which was manufactured back in 2012 definitely concerns me. Anyway, just to be on the safe side, I have ordered a new set of tires which should be here in a day or two.

Thank you for your feedback!

Dec 12th, 2019 2:39 am

derass: Deal Addict; Sep 8, 2017; 4022 posts; 4155 upvotes; GTA

Dec 12th, 2019 2:39 am

They're just starting to crack between the treads. Could be much worse. The sidewall is still fine. I wouldn't worry at all about driving on them for the next few days. Good on you for getting a new set.

+2

Dec 12th, 2019 3:51 pm

sickcars: Deal Guru; Mar 13, 2004; 11152 posts; 2912 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Dec 12th, 2019 3:51 pm

The line on the side wall suggests that it may have been driven on with low air pressure which caused that crack. The cracking around the thread also is from normal wear and tear and the rubber being old. My opinion is if you were to just drive locally on city streets you would likely be ok for another winter. However if you ever go on the highway or longer stretches of road I would not use them.

Either way you bought new winters tires which is great and these will be good until you replace them next week.

0_o
<_<
>_>

+2

Dec 14th, 2019 9:48 pm

MK6100 [OP]: Newbie; Dec 10, 2019; 7 posts; 4 upvotes

Dec 14th, 2019 9:48 pm

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this thread with their own personal opinions. To give an update, my new winter tires arrived yesterday and I had them installed just in time for the messy weather we experienced this afternoon : )

+2

Dec 14th, 2019 9:49 pm

Cheapo-Findo: Deal Guru; Mar 9, 2007; 13777 posts; 8820 upvotes; Think of the Childre…

Dec 14th, 2019 9:49 pm

Whatcha get?

MK6100 wrote: ↑ Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this thread with their own personal opinions. To give an update, my new winter tires arrived yesterday and I had them installed just in time for the messy weather we experienced this afternoon : )

WOULD SOMEBODY THINK OF THE CHILDREN!!!

Reply to Thread

Top