Dry chirped tires, should I replace?

[AbsolutEnduser]

I've never seen tires like this. They have cracks in the grooves along the circumference and pieces are missing from the thread/meat of the tire. This may be also called chipping or 'chunking'...

Does this typically happen to tires from vehicles that have been in Nevada and SoCal? They simply dry out?

Or are they simply.. Italian. Which they are. The Pirelli.

.. so.. is it time to replace?

 

[Removed 3]

You think that pieces of the tire is chipping off?

You've got Costco membership. Go to the tire dept and have it checked out, no charge.


A few years ago, I had to have my tires replaced, while the tires were still under warranty. The problem was caught during some maintenance work being done. The cost of the new tire was prorated because the old tires were still under warranty (I didn't have to pay full price)

 

[stangmx13]

looks like normal dry rot. the tire is less safe because of it, so u should replace soon. but ive def seen people drive tires like that for a long time.

(I worked at DiscountTireCo for 5 years about a decade ago)

 

[mototireguy]

.. so.. is it time to replace?

Date code on the tires?

Dry rot cracking tires + cold/wet winter driving soon.

 

[Climber]

What is the date on the side of the tire?

Also, were they run at high speed in high temperatures?

From indications, you'd be best off to replace those tires before we get into rainy season, especially if you have them on the drive axle of the car.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

What is..

Date code on the tires?

so u should replace soon. but ive def seen people drive tires like that for a long time.

so sad because (I think) the date codes say "16", meaning they are from year 2016. I'll check again at the end of the day.. or sooner, will try

confirmed! At least one of the tires is 0416

I've definitely looked at the date code AND been disappointed that they are "slightly less than 3" years old...

as for the high speed-- NO IDEA--previous owner in LA or Nevada. But possibly I guess.

You think that pieces of the tire is chipping off?

Costco membership. Go to the tire dept and have it checked out, no charge.

Does it not show on the picture? There's at least one 1/4"x1/4" pitting . Look in the upper right corner.
.....
Costco did hit my friend's car in the parking lot (or wherever) . this is not a "oil changer story" hearsay, this just happened the other "month" on his last tire change. They did not tell him. Granted his car is actually older than the "350k standard of the Bay Area"--the 8 y/o Prius.

(He complained. Twice. Because they ALSO installed him older tires off the rack, they were like past "the limit" maybe >6 y/o and the advisor even try to brush him off before my guy standing there and saying "but look at the date code".
So that was great use of his time. :rolleyes .. They did give him thousands for the bumper repair at the end... Positive? :dunno )

 

[Cycle61]

I think that means they're from 2004. Week 16.

Edit: Nope, I had it wrong.

 

[mototireguy]

confirmed! At least one of the tires is 0416

Any chance they're 416, aka 41st week of 1996.

Before 2000 they used 3 digit date codes.

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

No, but I will check every single tire again later *

Also, only the front ones have pittings/chipping (FWD), the rear ones are only "dry-cracked" with the same cracks so far. I suppose the reason is simply the rear ones are not under power.. therefore they do not have many chip-s.

Here is the one code I have right now. [ 0416 ] towards the right

* who knows we might uncover date-code cheating by the Mfr?!?!? :laughing

 

[Removed 3]

so sad because (I think) the date codes say "16", meaning they are from year 2016. I'll check again at the end of the day.. or sooner, will try

confirmed! At least one of the tires is 0416

I've definitely looked at the date code AND been disappointed that they are "slightly less than 3" years old...

as for the high speed-- NO IDEA--previous owner in LA or Nevada. But possibly I guess.



Does it not show on the picture? There's at least one 1/4"x1/4" pitting . Look in the upper right corner.
.....
Costco did hit my friend's car in the parking lot (or wherever) . this is not a "oil changer story" hearsay, this just happened the other "month" on his last tire change. They did not tell him. Granted his car is actually older than the "350k standard of the Bay Area"--the 8 y/o Prius.

(He complained. Twice. Because they ALSO installed him older tires off the rack, they were like past "the limit" maybe >6 y/o and the advisor even try to brush him off before my guy standing there and saying "but look at the date code".
So that was great use of his time. :rolleyes .. They did give him thousands for the bumper repair at the end... Positive? :dunno )

So I guess you judge Costco's honesty based on your friend's experience?

My original recommendation was nudging you to go see some tire expert and see what they say. You don't need to buy tires from them but if you are sure you don't, ask them for an estimate for a new set of tires to make it look like you are shopping and not just asking for free advice

Whoever you're buying new tires from, see if you can take advantage of the warranty if your old tires are still under warranty

 

[Climber]

OP, did you buy the car or buy the tires from the original owner?

If tires, is it possible that they either ran them on low pressure in hot weather for a couple years?

Is it possible that they were out in the sun for a long period of time?

These are definitely prematurely aged, from all signs. Heat and sun are two things I know that can age them faster.

At the end of the day, I would definitely replace them before the rainy season gets here.

 

[mototireguy]

If tires, is it possible that they either ran them on low pressure in hot weather for a couple years?

+1

The date code looks like a 2016 date.

New tires run in hot climates at under inflated pressures can get super duper hot. No bueno for the rubber.

Even with the recent manufacture date if I saw those micro cracks in my tires I would be suspicious and inclined to replace them.

 

[Eldritch]

The default answer to this question is pretty much always YES, replace questionable tires.

The realistic view has to do more with what type of driving you are doing and how much value do you want to get out of them?

If you have those on a 6th Gen Mustang that you are regularly hauling at 120+ on the Freeway, you are going to die. If those are on your old Honda Civic that you only drive around the City at 35mph or less, they could probably run just fine for years, and I have seen it done and have done it in the days of my youth.

Putting on some kind of non-aerosol tire protector like this can help keep it from getting worse:

https://www.meguiarsdirect.com/meguiars-endurance-tire-gel-16oz.html

 

[AbsolutEnduser]

+1

The date code looks like a 2016 date.

New tires run in hot climates at under inflated pressures can get super duper hot. No bueno for the rubber.

Even with the recent manufacture date if I saw those micro cracks in my tires I would be suspicious and inclined to replace them.

OK maybe it's the hot weather of the previous 2.5 years of the car + the owner might have kept them underinflated.. (or something..???)

checked all four tires
- they are all code ( 0416 ) ... I guess from the factory, slightly less than four years old.

-> what I might do.. maybe replace only the front ones very soon... and NOT rotate the wheels! That way I'll get a few more months of use of the rear ones.. if you see in picture Rear2, the wear bar is barely visible in the middle of the picture in the closest groove--meaning there's some thread depth left! Also the rear ones don't have much chipping at all, only cracks.

Here are the pictures,
Front Left (visible chips), Front R,
Rear 1 + 2

 

[madsen203]

I learned recently to always put new tires in rear—especially when considering rain. If the rear end hydroplanes, you’ll loose much more control than the front hydroplaning. If you think you need the better traction in the front, replace all 4.

If you outrun the rear in wet weather, you could put yourself into a spin. Unlikely, but possible.

This is counter to what I’ve always thought and do e but several tests prove this point.

 

[stangmx13]

I’ve never seen tread dry rot fail. But I’ve def seen sidewall dry rot fail.

You prob won’t be able to find a reputable shop that will touch the ones with sidewall cracking. No rotations, no repairs.

 

[msethhunter]

If the side wall isn't cracking, I'd run'em. If the side wall is cracking, replace them. I've seen quite a few Michelin tires doing this lately. They just don't seem to last.

 

[littlebeast]

tires expire due to wear, age and exposure to elements. regardless of the cause, good paws / claws are absolutely essential. when in doubt - replace.

 

[Climber]

If the side wall isn't cracking, I'd run'em. If the side wall is cracking, replace them. I've seen quite a few Michelin tires doing this lately. They just don't seem to last.

As greasy as the roads get around the Bay area due to sitting traffic over long months of no rain, I wouldn't keep those tires on my vehicle going into the rainy season if I was a spirited driver, and I am.