Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I have read online ( not always always the best source ) that a liberal application of antifreeze to old tires ( off the car allowing several days ) gives them new life by allowing the glycol to make the surface matrix structure pores allowing the rubber to absorb the lubricating property of the antifreeze rejuvenating the tires. Preventing the surface of the tires to propagate cracking.
Sounds like maybe just does the same thing as any surface dressing application?

Have also read online that five to seven years is the max safe age to use a tire? Seems like maybe the Mfgr's pushing that to get us to buy lots of new tires.

Opinions?

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Wait til you've scattered a couple of 10-15 year old tires at 70+ mph. And, yes I have. It's all at once, and took out some of the body work around the wheel well. Both times.
Very dangerous- thank goodness I was going in a straight line.

I also ride motorcycles. Old tires get stiff, hard. Traction may become a problem.

A surface application of anything is not going to help the structural integrity of the casing.

Karl

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

an old tire that is cracking is at its end of its usable life, its not so much the rubber is cracking its the cord inside the rubber is also breaking up, never take a chance on an old tire, once rubber is dried out its dead, the inter net is wonderful, but not to trust worthy

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

5-7 years is usually the maximum for a tire. Normal car tires driven daily will wear out long before then. The 5-7 year time period usually shows up in RV's mostly and our cars as well. I have a set of radial white walls on my car that are about 10 years old now and are showing signs of cracking. I need to replace them and I'm planning to do that in the spring.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I've had more then one blowout with old tires. I change them every 7-8 years. They rot from the inside.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Some manufacturers (such as Continental) say 10 years on their websites. I wouldn't put much stock on what unknown websites say; often all you get is ignorant personal opinion and urban legends!
On using antifreeze on tires, does antifreeze have any "lubricating properties"? Just a small amount in your crankcase will kill your bearings in a hurry! Why even use antifreeze when there are products made for treating tires?

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Sweet antifreeze gets rid of coons

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

And, unfortunately, pet dogs. Be careful.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Anti freeze will soften the rubber to some extent but it is just the surface. The softened surface will wear away quickly.
Common bleach will work better. It will penetrate better but not enough to be effective for long.
Bleach was outlawed as a burnout medium at the drags many years ago. It was very effective for that.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I understand black shoe polish works as well.. Ever see the movie.. The Worlds Fastest Indian??

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Makes me think of somebody putting on alot of make-up.... Ya the outside looks good but, the inside is still ugly and dangerous..... MARK

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I've used old anti freeze as a tire lube when installing tires and it works ok for that. Can't comment on any other uses.
I tend to get a lot more years out of my tires than I see most do here. My vehicles spend all their time indoors when I'm not driving them so they don't get sun damage. It is rare to see cracks in a tire here. I just installed a set of well used (1997) Michelins on the back of my 52 Merc and they are fine for just getting around the back roads but I wouldn't drive too far or too fast on them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSfwls3nto4

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Good conversation, pretty much thought it was BS when I read it which seems to be the prevailing opinion.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I'm not much of a believer in "home remedies" especially for things like tires. I also believe that tire rubber compounds have changed a lot over the years. Something that may have worked decades ago may be useless today. Why risk it just to save a few bucks?

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

When we bought a 46 big truck it had 6 bald original tires, not much cracking in the sidewalls, went to the local tire place and the owner came out to look, one look at the tires and he said--nylon cord, you get full credit for the casings, someone else got 35 year old recapped tires

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Both compounds and construction have changed a lot. I've seen radials blow out bands bubble and warp just sitting in a garage. I know of two cases of brand new cars (a high-end Mustang and a Corvette) that had to get new tires because of cracks before delivery to the buyers.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

My old wife had a lot of wives tales but she didn't have a "wives tail". That would be gross.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

There was a resent post on NZ tyres .Before the moulds were sent to the US of A the vintage Firestone tyres were made here ,I run these tyres now 25 years ,still in good shape , ,Don't spay any silicone based products any were near your white walls ,they will crack .Every thing now has a built in obsolescent specialty Chinese stuff .Ted

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attach...p;d=1450387220
I fitted these 17" Firestone Tyres that were made in New Zealand back in 1979. Last year, I drove 500 miles sitting at 55 MPH. They still look like new, and don't show any signs of cracks etc. The only problems that I have had is with the Tubes, as they start leaking around the Valve. I have had to replace 3 Tubes. As for cleaning, I use a kitchen cleaner with a small Nail Brush.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

When I got my '93 it had old tires on it that were dry rotted, they still had plenty of tread though. The front passenger side tire blew out while just sitting under the carport. It split straight across the tread, from one side of the tire to the other. Old tires are fine on tractors and things sometimes but I wouldn't trust my life to one doing anything over 15 mph.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I shredded a right rear on my pickup last spring at 70 on an interstate, result = $1000.00 damage to RR bed side and four new tires. Yeah, the old tires still looked good with lots of tread, NO checking, bout 40K miles. In review, they were seven years old. Believe and don't trust AGED tires. jiml...

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I would say few tyre manufactures want a tyre on the road now more than 10 years old .As I say built in obsolescents ,When they can clearly make a tyre that will last for years as in the case of the NZ tyres ,(old tyre rubber Tec knowledgey ) Due to some tyre damage I had to replace one from the same moulds (fire stone moulds /dyes ) but imported ,that tyre seems to be checking and cracking ,its all about profit .Ted

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

The rubber breaks down due to a variety of things, UV rays, ozone, heat, loss of volatile compounds, etc. You can't rejuvenate rubber with a topical treatment. If anti-freeze preserved rubber, radiator hoses would last the life of the car. I have some 40 year old tires with good tread that I will not be using because I think the risk is not worth the reward, but that's my choice and others think differently.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

How about putting new tubes in cracked tires? I just want to move the car in and out of the garage and maybe a little on the streets around the house while I'm budgeting for new tires. I don't want to put a death wish on new tubes if they're gonna get damaged by cracking tires. I have 3 that are holding air.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

For preserving the pliability and surface of rubber based products (not tires) such as door weatherstripping, gasketing, etc, old-timers (and myself) use plain-old glycerin .... available in some drug and grocery stores etc. The lubricant used by tire shops for mounting tires usually contains it.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

i dissagree, the tire assembly used at the tire shops is vegitable oil based. thread drift here, but i am a model t &a guy, and the t guys really like the montgomery wards tires made in the 50's and 60's. they command a high dollar in the used market, and its not unusual to hear folks on a tour state that they bought them new 60 years ago!!! granted they 40 mph, and do not put on enough miles to wear them out. they are however high preasure clincher tires, 60psi. now back to reality, new tubes are junk, if you have any old ones that are good -use em. always use talcom powder so they stay good. sun light is the killer, but slight cracking on the sidewalls is not the sign of death. when the tire is flat, squeeze it and if you see cracks in the tread pattern its gonna go soon. years ago i ran all over the country hauling stuff in a one ton truck and the only tire i ever wore out is a michlen. never had one go bad, they are expencive, but you get every mile out of em. the others all break the radial wire before the tire is wore out, or when ever the warrenty is up

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Don't bother. Use your old tubes in the old tyres. Pottering about the driveway and local roads is fine on old tyres, as long as they appear sound. It is highway speeds that kill old tyres, along with underinflation.

You need to use your own judgement. Visually inspect your tyres, irrespective of age. Monitor the air press ure. If one keeps losing air, attend to it.

There is no catch all rule. There is a big difference between occasionally pottering into town and back and setting out on a 1000 mile trip at elevated highway apeeds. The demands on the tyres in both cases is very different.

Do some thinking and weigh it up for yourself.

Don't blindly follow, and expect to blame someone else if it goes wrong.

If your tyre is cracked and falling apart and is 6 years and 11 months old, you wouldn't set out on a big trip, would you? "They're good for 7 years, I've been told".

(Silly scenario, I know)

Use your own judgement.

I tend to run older tyres, but constantly inspect them and keep the pressures in check.

I do occasional longer journeys (150 miles one way) but even them stick to 55 mph.

I will occasionally run up to near 100mph, but in very short bursts. (On the beach at Pendine).

Low pressure and high speed for extended periods build heat and it's the heat that shreds a tyre.

I was driving along with my daughter one evening, and a car passed us on the motorway, with the left rear tyre low. I just started to say to her, "That's dangerous, that is, running a low tyre on the motorway". A I got half way through, the tyre burst and we drove through the flying pieces. I braked to allow the car to pull across in front of me and stop on the hard shoulder.

Like I said, Inspect your tyres, check the pressures and drive accordingly.

"Ford" and "Firestone" spring to mind. If the tyre pressures had been right, they would have been ok.

Mart.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Further to Mercman's post, I believe it is not so much tha age of the tyre, it is the amount of POTHOLES YOU DO NOT AVOID, that accelerate the blowout saga.

Superficial cracking on the outside is nothing.

Firestone white walls crack from 2 weeks old.

One pothole can kill them unseen from outside.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Several states including ours is kicking around the idea of adding the age of tires to the inspection process, any tire more than 10 yrs. old would fail. My spare is an original 76 year old Ford Script, I'd like to see them find a date code on that one lol.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

The problem is that I have only 3 old tire/tube combinations that hold air. Stems are bad on the other two. I'm not planning on trips to the corner store or anything until I get new tires, but primarily in and out of the garage and possibly within a quarter mile from home for test runs. The car is new to me and I need to wait to afford new tires in the budget.

I guess what my question is more of, do the tires bear any "weight" on the integrity of the tube? Could cracks in the tires cut into the tube? Or are tubes just for air and tires just for traction; as separate functions (that work together)? Does that make sense? I just want all 4 to be sitting on air!

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

As said many things effect a tire breaking down. While I've seen new tires start to crack & get rough looking in 7 to 10 yrs, I've also bought cars that have been sitting for 30 yrs in a heated garage never seeing hot to icy cold cycles that are still perfect as the NZ Goodyear tires running for over 20. I have a 442 i drive 1000 / yr in a heated garage on a shaded lot for over twenty yrs, Goodyear Raised white letter GT's still perfect.
I'm 67 & been a motor head for 50 yrs & I believe in several irrefutable rules.
1- if you live in an area w‪‬here the temp cycle varies from 80 to 100 f and 0 to 32 f and tires spend more than 10 % of the time outside or in an unconditioned garage 7 to 10 yrs
2- heated garage keeping rubber from freezing cold and UV bright sun adds 2 to 5yrs
3- add to the garage storage getting the tires off the ground with no weight on them probably will last indefinitely or till the tread is shot. I recently removed a set of 30 plus yr old firestone 4" whitewall 650 16's. Still in perfect condition as the afore mentioned NZ Goodyears. They just sucked cause they were biased.
I wouldn't trust anyone telling me about used tires and would assume none of the above. Also once tires are cracking Two things are true, you don't have a clue how deep the problem is so error on the side of safety.
2- no amount of any surface ointment will resolve any deeper than surface issues ( only a surface cosmetic remedy)

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

You might be worrying too much. Put a new tube in one. Inspect the inside of the old tyre before refitting it. If the inside of the old tyre is nice and smooth, it should not damage the new tube. When you do get your new tyres you should be able to reuse the one you already have.

You only need four.

Mart.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

IMO, based upon the contents of these statements...you should be fine.
However, just be aware that any tire can blow out due to a NUMBER of factors. Have your AAA card updated and/or explain to the significant other that you may be calling from close in the neighborhood...for help to get home :) ! There are so many variables/things to consider to give you a yes or no answer to your question. Since you may be being watched over by uncle MURPHY Law, I would not give you a yeah/no answer.

You are on the right track , concerning your own safety, by asking such a question...an that is good ;) !

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

i got my dads 1977 3/4 ton pickup. it still has the original spare,it was run a few times. pretty sure its a dunlop,and theres no cracks on it. i always thought back in the days they would be using real rubber. now a days new cheap chinese tires crack in 4 years. made with junk!

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

Thanks! Good info!

AnthonyG, when storing tires indoors that are mounted on a wheel, would you suggest removing the valve stems for better flexibility or keeping them inflated? Racked or stacked?

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I read they changed the composition of tire rubber a few years back and I believe it's true. I have 3 year old tires showing checking on the sidewalls.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I am running 600 x 16 inch New Zealand white wall tyres which I bought of Rod Welch 44 years ago on our 1947 V8 coupe they have only travelled 12000 miles and I drive the coupe mostly about 55 - 60 M.P.H they have no cracks showing on them I used to run nitrogen in them up to 28 lbs until a few months ago now I add air. I have found when I do not use the coupe for a while they tend to bump until one has travelled a short distance and they have always done that.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I believe it is better to keep them inflated for storage, in a dry place and in the dark if possible. Not sure whether having them stacked on top of each other (down flat) or side by side is significant.

Mart.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

13 years is too long for Diamondback radials.....ask me how I know. :)
I went and bought another set. Going for 12 years this time.

Re: Old wives tail about tires, true or not?
 

I'm running 19" Firestone's from the late 80's with late 80's air in them. Some sidewall checking but nothing deep enough to give me the "heebie-jeebies". Run 50 on the I/state.
Paul in CT