Seeking Auto-Advice (Old Cracked Tires)

[AssKissinger]

Hey, the little lady and I are planning a long drive in a few days. More than 1,000 kms through beautiful J-land. But our tires are about seven years old and near the wheel they have small spiderweb type cracks that are about half an inch wide and form a circle around the wheel. This is the last hoorah for this car so I hate to buy new tires now but I also I don't want a dangerous blow out on the freeway. I don't know shit about cars. Should we buy new tires or just say to Hell with it? How likely are the tires to give in that condition? Is it a real danger?

Here's an illustration, in case my description has failed.

[Greji]

I don't know shit about cars

With that qualifier to work with, I'd like to be your tire salesman

However, since you will be traveling on freeways and putting on a lot of klicks, you probably need tires. Some of the newer tire type super markets like "Tayakan" can give some pretty decent prices for a lower level of tire. You definately don't need the top of the line if you are going to shitcan this car anyway.

A thing not to overlook is that if you have a regular gas stand that you use (one that does maintenance, not just a gas pump island), you might want to check with the people there. They may have used tires, they have taken off cars that are still roadworthy. They can also get tires from junk yards for you at reduced rates that would also be roadworthy. You can check with junk yards directly, but you might be at the mercy of the guy there once he sees you don't know about cars. Most are not like that, but it still might be simpler and less hassle to have your gas stand guy do it for you.

But, just remember whether you buy a new one, a used one, or use the tires already on the ride, after you take off on your trip, it'll probably blow out anyway and it will be somewhere where it will be impossible to change it with out calling the Big Yen Charging Road Help.

Cheers

[FG Lurker]

I'd change 'em.

Generally I would say that tires over 5 years old are suspect. If they are over 5 years old and showing signs of problems such as cracks, uneven tread wear, bulges etc, then I would definitely change them.

I don't claim to be an expert on cars, but I'm not a noob either. So that's my two yens' worth of advice.

[amdg]

But, just remember whether you buy a new one, a used one, or use the tires already on the ride, after you take off on your trip, it'll probably blow out anyway and it will be somewhere where it will be impossible to change it with out calling the Big Yen Charging Road Help.

Cheers

What?? That makes no sense. You're saying that even if he buys new tires they'll blow out?

[AssKissinger]

But, just remember whether you buy a new one, a used one, or use the tires already on the ride, after you take off on your trip, it'll probably blow out anyway and it will be somewhere where it will be impossible to change it with out calling the Big Yen Charging Road Help.

Cheers

What?? That makes no sense. You're saying that even if he buys new tires they'll blow out?

What is your funny bone broken or something?

[Greji]

it'll probably blow out anyway

It's known as Murphy's Law and applies to all FGs in the land of wa!

I still try your regular gas stand guy first!

[amdg]

it'll probably blow out anyway

It's known as Murphy's Law and applies to all FGs in the land of wa!

I still try your regular gas stand guy first!

Yeah, got it. sorry.

[Mike Oxlong]

Ah, everybody's favorite topic...

Rubber continues to cure it's entire life, getting drier & more brittle with age. Expose to weather hastens the process. Even tires that are wrapped and stored in a warehouse will become unusable after 4-5 years, and are often sold at discounts before they reach that point (one thing to look for when your local Yellow Hat/Autobacs has a sale).

Seven (7) years?! If you do any extended highway driving, go for a change of tires. Used tires can be bought, as mentioned earlier, through many sources. Or get a really cheap set at a bargin auto store. But as many have advised, a change will do you good!

[AssKissinger]

Ah, everybody's favorite topic...

Since this thread was such a banger I thought I'd provide the long awaited follow-up, long story short: We bought new tires and made the trip safely.

I got a new question. I bought motor oil 10W-40 type and it turns out my car takes 10W-30 type. Should I use it anyway?

[Taro Toporific]

I got a new question. I bought motor oil 10W-40 type and it turns out my car takes 10W-30 type. Should I use it anyway?

Is it a brand-new car? If so, using the heavier 10W-40 motor oil is not a good idea---especially during the winter since cold temps thicken the oil.

If it's an older car, 10W-40 motor oil will be ok especially in warmer climates and in the summer. However, 10W-40 will make starting your car harder because the oil is thicker than the specified 10W-30 oil and cold weather will thicken the oil even more.

Bottom Lines:
If your car has fewer than 35,000 miles on it and you park it outside in the cold with 10W-40 oil in it----You're f'ed.
If your car with 10W-40 oil in it has more than 70,000 miles on it, you park it in a garage, it's fine.
If your car is real old and is being to use oil (it always seems to be a 1/2 quart down syndrome), using 10W-40 oil is a good idea!

[Charles]

And just to confirm, you did the right thing getting the new tires. The same thing happened to me. My 1995 Camry has only 35k miles on it, that's considered the average mileage most people drive in ONE YEAR, but I did that over 10 years, I hardly ever drive anywhere. After the first 5 years, my tires started to leak and go flat all the time despite no major signs of damage, just a little cracking. I had to replace them, they rotted away with age. And I just replaced them again, last year. Tires will rot after about 5 years even if you don't drive on them at all, it's a reaction with the ozone in the air, and the sun. So if your tires were 7 years old, they really REALLY needed to be replaced, I'm surprised they held air at all.

[Big Booger]

And just to confirm, you did the right thing getting the new tires. The same thing happened to me. My 1995 Camry has only 35k miles on it, that's considered the average mileage most people drive in ONE YEAR, but I did that over 10 years, I hardly ever drive anywhere. After the first 5 years, my tires started to leak and go flat all the time despite no major signs of damage, just a little cracking. I had to replace them, they rotted away with age. And I just replaced them again, last year. Tires will rot after about 5 years even if you don't drive on them at all, it's a reaction with the ozone in the air, and the sun. So if your tires were 7 years old, they really REALLY needed to be replaced, I'm surprised they held air at all.

I bought a set of Bridgestone tires in 1996, and until my brother wrecked my Camaro last year, they were still peachy.

All thanks to:


Remember to do both the inner wall as well, *rears are a whore*, you just gotta do the back boogey. Fronts you do while turning the wheel.

[Greji]

I bought a set of Bridgestone tires in 1996, and until my brother wrecked my Camaro last year, they were still peachy.

All thanks to:


Remember to do both the inner wall as well, *rears are a whore*, you just gotta do the back boogey. Fronts you do while turning the wheel.

Hmmmm, do you suppose if I spray that on my johnson, it would improve my mileage?

[Big Booger]

I bought a set of Bridgestone tires in 1996, and until my brother wrecked my Camaro last year, they were still peachy.

All thanks to:


Remember to do both the inner wall as well, *rears are a whore*, you just gotta do the back boogey. Fronts you do while turning the wheel.

Hmmmm, do you suppose if I spray that on my johnson, it would improve my mileage?

For that you'll need turtle wax.

[AssKissinger]

Thanks Taro. I sprang for the new oil.

[Charles]

I bought a set of Bridgestone tires in 1996, and until my brother wrecked my Camaro last year, they were still peachy.

What caused the wreck? A blowout? Loss of control due to tire underinflation?

[Greji]

For that you'll need turtle wax.

Hmmm, never had a turtle!

[Big Booger]

I bought a set of Bridgestone tires in 1996, and until my brother wrecked my Camaro last year, they were still peachy.

What caused the wreck? A blowout? Loss of control due to tire underinflation?

Marijuana and alcohol going around a sharp curve smashed head-on into a tree.

[Greji]

I bought a set of Bridgestone tires in 1996, and until my brother wrecked my Camaro last year, they were still peachy.

What caused the wreck? A blowout? Loss of control due to tire underinflation?

Marijuana and alcohol going around a sharp curve smashed head-on into a tree. ]

Damn trees never watch where they're going. They shouldn't be so protected! Chainsaws and toothpicks for everyone!

[cliffy]

I bought a set of Bridgestone tires in 1996, and until my brother wrecked my Camaro last year, they were still peachy.

What caused the wreck? A blowout? Loss of control due to tire underinflation?

Marijuana and alcohol going around a sharp curve smashed head-on into a tree. ]

Damn trees never watch where they're going. They shouldn't be so protected! Chainsaws and toothpicks for everyone!

In the early 80's in Victoria, Australia the police once clocked a tree moving at 120KPH with an early radar gun. It was at a press meeting to show the new Tech equipment, finished quick after that. So the buggers may move fast to get in the way.