2018 Date Coded KO2s - Time to Replace? (Pics Inside)

I have a set of (4) KO2s that I run on my truck as a three season tire (I have dedicated snows). They're date coded early 2018 and by my notes I have just under 35,000 miles on them.

They still measure an even 10/32 tread across all four tires and are properly stored in the winter.

I'm struggling with whether I should replace them this season or get another season out of them. I know BFG's warranty is 6 years, which would have expired early last year and their final drop dead date is 10 years, which I would never push.

Obviously the 'net is full of "experts" in both directions and it's not uncommon for KO2s to develop cracking similar to this under normal operation, but the question becomes how much is too much. The sidewalls look excellent in my non-expert opinion. I'm not adverse to replacement and was planning on doing all (5) as I know my spare is from my 2013 and well past life expectancy.

My gut says to err on the side of caution and swap them given I've gotten six full seasons, but I'm curious what other think.

 

I live at 7000’ and almost all auto tires do that. Run em.

 

I'd run em another year unless you're dealing with extreme conditions.

 

Hindsight is 20/20. I'd replace them.

 

I’d go to 10 years if you have enough tread, which you probably won’t

But another year or two? Sure

 

Borderline

 

Send it for another year

 

I got 31 years out of a set of Bridgestones [OEM tires] before I replaced them but they had zero cracking on sidewalls or in the tread area. However, they used far more carbon black in the rubber because they didn't have ''best by'' dates.Best by dates didn't do the driving public the favor they think it did, it just allowed the tire manufacturers a way to cheap [way] out when making them.

Tires are all about heat and UV when it comes to them lasting. [other then driving like a hoon] Carbon Black is crucial for the previous sentence. It's also expensive as heck.

And no, the Bridgestones were not on a Taco. I also changed them out simply because they were getting to the point where the tread was getting to the wear blocks on the front [37K miles] . I won't even get 1/3 the life out of the replacements even though they are a decent brand.

 

Tire stores say 6 years. 8-10 years most definitely I would get new. I just replaced mine at 6 years