Have My Winter Tires Expired ?

Hakka r2 SUV. Manufactured 2015

tread depth is great. I only put like 3k per winter

I’m reading 6 seasons for winters before rubber degrades to a point where it won’t soften properly.

stored outside. Me Bad. Not covered. Under a shady tree so very little UV

NEW Hakka R5 SUV me want but wondering if I am throwing away perfectly good tires.

 

Wondering if I should list them for sale and what is value of good tread expired tires ?

depreciation anyone ?

 

Post pics?

 

If there is no dry cracking, put them on and see how they feel in winter conditions. If they feel like they're not performing like they used to, replace them.

 

Most tire stores won't touch a tire over 10 years old. It is sunlight that does the most damage and a tire in Arizona may be toast in only 5-6 years whereas a tire in Michigan might be fine at 10 years.

You're at 8 years and if you live somewhere that you need winter snow tires you probably don't see much sunlight on the tires. Without seeing/feeling them it is hard to say, but I'd bet you can get one more year out of them.

 

General consensus is that most tires should be replaced at 6 years and possibly up to 10 years max. Your tires are 7 going on 8 years old. Since yours has been used only part of the year each year and have been stored away from UV light , they are maybe ok for another year. Inspect them carefully for any cracks on the sidewalls. If there is cracking and/or any bulges get rid of them.
Me personally I would dump them. Your life and your passengers lives depend on your tires. Why take chances with lives.
Finally, Hell no, don’t sell them. You want to jeopardize other people’s lives on tires you are not comfortable or safe driving on? What the hell? Just dump them and get new tires.

 

Sounds like I have an excuse to get the R5’s.

No cracks. Good tread depth. Seems a shame.

 

Was it 100% shade coverage all year long? They look fine to me, but as you pointed out winter tires typically have a very soft compound that aids with traction and that also matters.

 

Very little UV. Under a massive Maple.

I know I was impressed with the traction 7 yrs ago after switching from Blizzaks. Hard for me to tell if performance has deteriorated or if I’ve been adjusting my expectations as they incrementally deteriorate.

I will leave it to the Gods. The R5’s arrive here Dec 1 and there will be short supply. If I can get my preferred size I will get them. If not wait.

 

I have brand new tires never mounted from 20 years ago. They came out of my tire dealers warehouse .

If you were close I would buy those tires at a fair price.

 

Well I carefully inspected all 4 tires and zero cracks. All look like pic. Tread is great. Over 1/2 usable.

but as I understand it, the fact that they are winter tires means that regardless of condition, the rubber will no longer soften properly because of exposure to oxygen and fluctuations in temps

wonder if new ones are kept inside in a vacuum seal bag if I could avoid this next time.

 

Tire rubber contains "anti-ozonants" which help them fight off oxidation during their expected lifetime (5-7 years?). If you've ever seen a new tire with a brown chalky surface, that is blooming from the anti-ozonants.

Also keep in mind that cracks on the outside of a tire do not always translate to cracks on the inner carcass of the tire. When most tires are manufactured, the outer tread/sidewall piece is heat bonded to the inner carcass which has the belting and the bead.

 

So stored inside in a vacuum seal bag for storage should give me several more years next time.


You think?

 

I just looked at the pic above of the tread on my desktop instead of my phone and there are a lot of imperfections between the tread blocks.

 

I’d run them!
They are all mounted try them if you aren’t happy get different ones.

 

Good plan but with supply shortages I either jump on them when shipment comes in or I’m on the old ones another year

 

My rule is 5 years and I sell em, we need really soft here.

What I do with customers vehicles is simply educate them that they will have deteriorating performance as they get older beyond 5 years. 10 years cap with winters.

 

Soft is why I buy winters. I had no idea this ability degraded over time until I happened on the info online

 

Do you have a source for that general consensus on 6 years? Seems too aggressive as a general statement.

I'd run 'em. Those look to be in fine condition for this season. Revaluate each year.

 

They don't look terrible to me