I need some knowledgeable opinions.

I have P225-70 R14 BF Goodrich TA radials on my 67 GTX that are at least 12 years old (code 11002). Here in Phoenix Arizona the mainstream tire companies will not touch them except to remove and replace them after 10 years I assume do to liability issues.

The tires show no sign of checking or dry rot. The car has been garaged (unheated or cooled) for the entire time. I drive it about 20 miles each way about every 3 weeks to the car show at 70-75 MPH on the freeway.

I know that the conservative default would be to replace them due to their age, but they still look really good so I am asking some opinions from folks more knowledgeable on the subject than I am.

Thoughts please

I would run them. Keep an eye on them though.

If they are not cracked and in good shape run them. I have a set of BFG 50`series tires on my gtx that are 15 years old and they work. They were installed new, balanced well, and have always been inside at night.

I am in a similar situation and am still running mine. I have Radial T/A on my '70 Swinger 340. I don't know the date code but I bought them in 2000, so they are at least 14 years old. My car is also garaged. The tires still look good so I will keep them on until I see some problems. As already mentioned though, I check them often.

i run tires older than that..but you must be careful even on highways..they could go and cause damage..thats a gamble if you want to take....my fronts went bad a few blocks from home coming back from a show..the steel belts let go and the tires wobbled badly..almost blew out on me..garage car all its life..so you never know

I've had belts come off on three BFG Radial All-Terrains with decent tread but a dozen years old. That was at 70mph. They banged up the fenders pretty bad. Had another old radial come apart on a Taurus, took the tread off right down to the shiny steel belt, that was a handful to get stopped. That was at 75mph.

Even though I'm a tightwad, I'm starting to come around to the idea that old tires will fail for no apparent reason, especially at speed.

But I do hate it when tire shops act like they're doing me a favor to do business with me.

R.

It's just like the best before date on food.

If you just leave it on the counter, it's garbage after the best before date.
If you store it in the refridgerator or freezer, it will still be good, after the best before date.

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I will keep them but inspect them each time I use the car and really watch the air pressure.

Not worth IMO. I just bought two new front tires because of age even though the still look new.

In my experience, this issue cuts both ways. I see more and more new tires that are basically junk. Valve stems too. We have stacks of tires hauled off several times a year that have good tread depth, but are not round, are badly cupped, or have busted cords and look like a snake that's swallowed a rat.

There was a huge valve stem recall a few years ago. New import valve stems that would start to crumble within a year. I have dealt with many ruined tires because of failed valve stems that had been replaced with the new tires.

Other than old tires that were burnt up in the sun, I personally have not seen age by itself cause a tire to self destruct. I am not saying it cannot happen, just that I haven't personally experienced it. I have however, seen tons of newer tires with construction problems.

I go to the junk yards and get new take out spare tires from the wrecks to use on our trailers. They are mis-matched, so I don't want to run them on the cars. But they are new and cheap, and work well on the trailers. Some of these tires are 10 or 15 years old. We have done this for years with no problems to date.

To summarize, just because a tire is 10+ years old, does not mean it is junk. And just because it is new doesn't mean it is good.

Just my .

Had this one blow last June. Truck was just sitting in the driveway, hadnt even driven it in a few days. Made one helluva racket

Just like your skin...The sun is NOT kind to your tires either!