Re: tires - how old is too old? (plus needed tire advice)

[liarsdice]

Hey all,

 

Rarely post here so hopefully this is in the correct place. I have a 2011 Ford Edge Sport AWD and it has low miles (27,000). The tread on the tires is fine, however, the date on the tire shows they're almost 5 years old (May 2010). They're the original Pirelli's.

 

We still aren't doing much driving and we also live in a warm climate (doesn't snow here, and we don't visit the snow that often either). I've read various pieces on when to replace a tire and it depends on many factors besides age. The car was garaged for the first 1.5 years if that makes any difference.

 

I'd prefer not to get new tires unless it's really necessary. I know it's a subjective thing, so I'm not looking for concrete answers. At the same time, I'm not looking to jeopardize me or our family (wife and our 9 month old). But again, it's not driven much as it is, since I'm working from home.

 

I found a deal on some tires from directtires on ebay (their ebay store). If I do buy new tires, which would you suggest of the 265/40-22 options:

 

• Falken Ziex S/TZ-05 $155/ea
• Nitto NT555 EXT $176/ea
• Yokohama Parada Spec X $205/ea
• Hankook Ventus ST RH06 $151/ea
• Pirelli Scorpion Zero Asimmetrico $244/ea

Those are the out the door price for the tires only. I'd need to either price match them to the local Discount Tire or just have them installed and pay extra elsewhere.

 

Looking forward to any thoughts on what my next move should be. Thanks guys (and gals).

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2015 by liarsdice

[chipworkz]

The rule I have always heard is 7 years from the date on the tire. Cracks in sidewalls or other defects should be considered of course but even if they look brand new, 7 years is the limit.

 

Here is a write up on the subject which shows the age limit is between 6 and 10 years.

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

[liarsdice]

Yeah, I read that the way the tires are used and the weight of the vehicle also are factors. The tires have always been on pavement (never off road) and it's just been the family car. No towing or anything crazy.

 

One of the tires did have a nail get stuck in it about a year ago. Was fixed and hasn't leaked since. I'm just stuck on the fence as to what I should do. I think I'm going to hold off for another year but it also depends on what input I get here since everyone here owns an Edge and can give me more valuable input than random articles and places online.

 

What tires do you currently have and what's your opinion on them?

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

If you post some good-sized pics of your tires (sidewalls/tread), we can know better if these tires are in need of replacing right now. From your description, it sounds like the Edge either has a lot of short distance driving or it sits a lot? If it sits a lot (multiple days without being driven), that can cause tires to go out of round. If you have had them regularly rotated, that will keep them in shape also.

[macbwt]

I am going to state the obvious. Since you are asking and thinking about tires. You are obviously concerned as you have a family you wish to be safe while driving the vehicle. In my observation I believe you know it is time to replace the tires so the real question is what brand/price is best for your driving habits. I choose hancook because they are a good relieable company and you do not seem to be the race car driving type of person. The expensive one will rot at the same rate as the less expensive tires.

[specialk4523]

Make sure you get the proper speed rated tires too.. The OEM tires are W.. I got Toyo Proxies which are V rated n are very good for about $215 each... Im hearing those yokohamas are pretty good 2...

Edited March 5, 2015 by specialk4523

[akirby]

Personally I wouldn't worry about them for another couple of years provided there is no visible cracking or other deterioration. I don't think I've had a set of tires on any vehicle that lasted more than 3 years so I've never had to worry about it. If it bothers you then it's probably better to replace them.

[liarsdice]

If you post some good-sized pics of your tires (sidewalls/tread), we can know better if these tires are in need of replacing right now. From your description, it sounds like the Edge either has a lot of short distance driving or it sits a lot? If it sits a lot (multiple days without being driven), that can cause tires to go out of round. If you have had them regularly rotated, that will keep them in shape also.

 

 

Here's some pictures of the tires. The past year it's not been driven a lot, but prior to that it was a short 5 miles to work every day.

 

I've had the works oil package done at the dealership since day 1, and I've had them rotated a number of times so yes they're regularly rotated.

[liarsdice]

I am going to state the obvious. Since you are asking and thinking about tires. You are obviously concerned as you have a family you wish to be safe while driving the vehicle. In my observation I believe you know it is time to replace the tires so the real question is what brand/price is best for your driving habits. I choose hancook because they are a good relieable company and you do not seem to be the race car driving type of person. The expensive one will rot at the same rate as the less expensive tires.

I was only concerned after stumbling upon an article about aging tires. I otherwise wouldn't have noticed. I of course am concerned about the safety of our family, but I also don't like to waste money or tires unless necessary.

 

I was personally thinking if I do buy tires, I'd go for either the Yokohama, Falken or Hankook. I read some good things about the Yokohama on another thread but as you said I'm not sure it's worth the extra money.

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Tires look in pretty good shape overall, so I wouldn't worry about them for a year or two. Just don't forget about them I would dress them regularly though with water-based product to keep 'em looking good.

http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/codys-corner/just-say-no-to-tire-cracking

 

And don't get into any deep snow drifts, that's one thing to definitely avoid if tread depth is under say 6/32" or so.

Edited March 6, 2015 by WWWPerfA_ZN0W

[omar302]

From the Owners Manual:

 

WARNING: Age
Tires degrade over time depending on many factors such as
weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed,
inflation pressure, etc.) the tires experience throughout their lives.
In general, tires should be replaced after six years regardless of tread
wear. However, heat caused by hot climates or frequent high loading
conditions can accelerate the aging process and may require tires to be
replaced more frequently.
You should replace your spare tire when you replace the road tires or
after six years due to aging even if it has not been used.

 

Edited March 6, 2015 by omar302

[liarsdice]

From the Owners Manual:

 

Appreciate that info. I looked in the owners manual but didn't see that. Maybe it wasn't listed in my year's manual, who knows. I'm feeling like I have one more year left in them (they'll be 5 years old in May). It's been a relatively babied car. Snow for one week of it's life, most days in the summer never hit 100, all pavement, no towing, was in a garage 1-1.5 yrs. If I were driving the car a lot between now and then I'd buy new ones right now.

 

It's a great deal on tires though. Spend $400 get $100 off via discounttires ebay store. No tax to most states and your local Discount Tire may even price match it. I did notice they ran this special about half a year ago though, so odds are I'll see it again next spring or fall.

[Smitty181]

Rubbers association of america mandates 10 years, if the sidewalls are cracked start looking into new ones, I have the Bridgestone dueler Hl Alenzas on my 2010, well worth the money for a quality tire, u can ruin a nice ride with shit tires

[WWWPerfA_ZN0W]

Speaking of DTD:

http://www.fordedgeforum.com/topic/15195-yokohama-yk580s-on-crazy-sale/

[J0J0]

I was looking at your pictures. The second thumbnail shows cracking on the shoulder tread. If I was in your shoes, I would replace them.

[rwf78155]

Yokohama Parada Spec X are amazing tires Great handling in wet or dry and a lot quieter than the Pirelli's

[PrinzII]

The tradeoff would be longevity. Some tires that are W Rated, as the Paradas are, have a fairly low treadlife partially due to the softer compound for high speed driving.

[BergerKing]

I'm looking at a set of Nexen N'fera RU5s for my next set of tires. I've been hearing a lot of good things about them, and $500 for a set of 65K warranted tires ain't bad. They are a V rated tire, rating shows 104H for my stock 18"s. Car came with a set of Wild Spirit CXVs, not too bad, for Chinese brand, but only 40K tires. Nexens are S. Korean, so if I get them, I'll be sure to post my experience.

[fishx65]

2011 SEL 54,000 miles. My 11 sits outside in Michigan 24/7. I was just cleaning and rotating mine and noticed that the original Michelins are really starting to crack along the shoulder and rim. They were not cracking last year cuz I would have noticed it when applying 303. Still a decent amount of tread left but I'll be replacing them just before the snow flies with a set of Yoko YK580's that I have sitting in the basement.

[PrinzII]

In AZ, I have to really be concerned with weather and even dry rotting issues (I do see a LOT of cars with blowouts during the summer months). However, I have been on H rated tires for both Edges and no problems.