Do I need a new tire?

[Turk]

Noticed this crack in the tire today. Tire is 1 year old...

Click to read more...

 

[chris101]

What is the MFGR date code of the tire? If it is more than 4 years old, technically it is past its useful life. Do you do a lot of highway driving? If it was me, I'd swap that to the back on my FWD or make it the emergency spare and swap it out just for cheap piece of mind.

 

[Turk]

The tire was ordered and put on the car just 1 year ago, not sure when it was manufactured. Currently it sits on the rear wheel of my Audi S4, so AWD. They are low profile tires on a 19" wheel.

 

[chris101]

The manufacturer date code is on one side of each tire in a 4 digit code.

It will say something like 2410 (which translates to 24th month of 2010 in my example)

The Manufacture code is typically within 1 year of actual sale date but that can vary greatly and I believe even tirerack keeps tires up to 3 years and then sells them at closeout pricing.

You can always just keep an eye on it if you like. Up to you but I don't see it getting better with freezing temps approaching

 

[Turk]

I actually plan on getting rid of the car within the next month.

 

[chris101]

okay, hopefully not at a carmax cause they will see that

 

[Flyn]

Would you want loved ones riding in a car with a tire like that? If the answer is no, replace it.

You may still have some warranty left on the tire.

 

[Turk]

Would you want loved ones riding in a car with a tire like that? If the answer is no, replace it.

You may still have some warranty left on the tire.

Well that's why I was asking, I'm not sure if a crack like that is actually dangerous. To me, it looks superficial, but I'm not a tire expert.

 

[chris101]

google is your friend

Are Dry Rotted Tires Dangerous? | eHow.com


or

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/how-old-and-dangerous-are-your-tires.html

 

[Burtonrider10022]

i know damn well that Audi has a full size spare. swap it out and sell the fucker

 

[chris101]

^ what I would do!

 

[Turk]

Manufacture date code is 2611, so less than 1.5 years old....

 

[Turbocharged400sbc]

thats carcass damage from a hard edge. think of it as the tire saved yer rim from certain damage

 

[Turk]

i know damn well that Audi has a full size spare. swap it out and sell the fucker

Car has aftermarket wheels, so that won't work. When I went out there to find the code on the tire, I couldn't even find the crack again.

 

[chris101]

Manufacture date code is 2611, so less than 1.5 years old....

Now I've added another brand not to buy to my list.

I've seen Michelin tires dry rot crack after being 1 or 2 years old as well many times so I won't fork out the money for those either..

 

[Turk]

The thing I love about low profile tires is how they cost more than the fucking wheel they go on.

 

[chris101]

tell me about it..

even for our track car (a spec miata) the wheels are $100 each and the tires are $166 each!

 

[Flyn]

If the tire does blow on you, flip on your flashers (if you can do so easily), let the car coast down in speed and gradually pull off the road. No sudden braking or swerving and you will be fine.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

I have never gotten a flat tire in any car other than the Audi. From blowouts to nails to a blown sidewall from a huge pothole in Robbins. And those 18" rims with thin ass Z rated tires weren't cheap, so I feel your pain.

As for the aftermarket aspect, that sucks. Put some Gorrilla Glue in the crack and hit it with a heat gun to visually close it up and sell the fucker.

 

[Turk]

Part of the reason I'm looking to get into a real daily driver like a civic. Cheaper every thing, like payments and gas.

 

[Flyn]

I have had tires blow every year or two on my trucks, usually on hot days at highway speeds. I had a front tire blow on my Cobra when my son and I were doing 100+ on Harlem. In all cases, staying calm, keeping the steering wheel steady, letting the car/truck coast down in speed and gradually braking and steering off the road got me/us stopped with no drama.

 

[Turk]

I have had tires blow every year or two on my trucks, usually on hot days at highway speeds. I had a front tire blow on my Cobra when my son and I were doing 100+ on Harlem. In all cases, staying calm, keeping the steering wheel steady, letting the car/truck coast down in speed and gradually braking and steering off the road got me/us stopped with no drama.

I feel like these newer tires with the strong sidewalls don't blow out with the kind of drama the older tires used to.

 

[chris101]

Part of the reason I'm looking to get into a real daily driver like a civic. Cheaper every thing, like payments and gas.

BORING.. I can't bring myself to be that boring and drive around in an appliance but gluck with that.



Ironic we never had issues with our Audi Quattro's but we kept the wheels stock too

 

[Turk]

BORING.. I can't bring myself to be that boring and drive around in an appliance but gluck with that.

It's daily driver duty, that's all. And it's meant for me to be able to save for an awesome fun car. I drive my S4 daily now, it's not like I beat on it on the way to work anyway.

 

[chris101]

My winter car last season was a 1998 Audi A4 Quattro.. loved that for a winter car.. and I'd do that again in a heartbeat long before I consider something like a Civic.. lol


Keep in mind gas is always a lot cheaper in winter... I just tanked up for $3.70 a gallon for premium and a month ago it was $4.19 at the same station!