Railroadman

This actually pertains to a '66 Chevy truck but the topic in general has been kicked around here before. And the answer will apply to Vette tires as well.

What exactly deteriorates or dies as tires age? I have two brand-new tires for the truck, never mounted, been in the garage out of sunlight ever since I bought them - about 1990! I've seen several posts saying don't trust old tires etc. Does the fact they've been kept in the dark help any, or have they become unsafe just by existing so long? I have a tire durometer from when my son used to race, would that tell me anything?

Frizlefrak

Don....a number of environmental factors come into play, even when kept out of sunlight. The chemicals that give rubber its elasticity eventually "evaporate" (for lack of a better term) and the rubber begins to get hard. Once that happens it begins to crack....often internally....and weaken.

Keeping them out of sunlight certainly helps....but it won't stop the inevitable. I keep them covered on my fifth wheel when it's not in use....but even then, at about 7 years they're starting to show signs of age. And once they harden up, braking and steering are compromised and the risk of a blowout exponentiates.

1963SS

Way to go Friz....got me thinking this morn.

Exponentiates
I had to look that up. Where did you Texicans learn such big words and what the heck is a third person singular simple present indicative?? Wow, I'm impressed.

Railroadman

Thanks Friz - I kind of figured it was a chemical issue. They LOOK great but it's not worth risking my neck on. Good thing I've had them so long, I've forgotten how much they cost so I don't know how much I'm throwing away! Suppose I should saw them so some other person does not pick them up and use them - with my luck it would be me they'd hit when one blew!

Railroadman

And you thought all they learned at Doggie School was "Heel!" and "Sit!"

96 Vette CE

That's why tires are dated. Keeping them out of the elements certainly helps, but eventually the chemicals in the rubber compound will break down.

Frizlefrak

Or sue you for the damages.