6 Yr Old Winter Tires - Should I buy new ones?

[little_wheelz]

My winter tires are now 6 yrs old. They are goodyear eagle GW3, they weren't cheap. There is still lots of tread as I've only put ~ 30K on them over 6 years. They have always been stored in bags and in the garage. I understand that the rubber changes properties over the years which may make them not perform as well as day 1, but I'm wondering if I really need to/should buy new tires for next year...? again, I only do ~ 5K/winter and there is lots of tread left. Thoughts?

[mit-gee-mui]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?27005-Exploding-tires-You-better-check-yours.&highlight=older

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?28963-Opinions-Please-quot-New-quot-Nokian-tires-manufactured-in-2006&highlight=sidewall

Not quite the answers you want, but I will throw it out there.
:FYI smiley

[Kappa]

yes

[Rob23]

this is i think the 7th season for my winters lol! im retireing them after this year tho.

[little_wheelz]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?27005-Exploding-tires-You-better-check-yours.&highlight=older

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?28963-Opinions-Please-quot-New-quot-Nokian-tires-manufactured-in-2006&highlight=sidewall

Not quite the answers you want, but I will throw it out there.
:FYI smiley

Thanks for the reply. Crazy to think some stores are selling 12 year old tires as "new".

I will be getting a new set next year...

[Hyperion]

Thanks for the reply. Crazy to think some stores are selling 12 year old tires as "new".

I will be getting a new set next year...

Alot of people are managers in retail stores because they know how to move product, or come in early and clean up, not necessarily because they know they product lol. "Never been touched" counts as "New"

[Jackal]

Get new ones. Yes. There is a tire life on the rubber as well as a tread life.

[Jaysan]

With incidents happening where the tires are being damaged while driving and the tires are older than 6 yrs old, its more of a precaution to change the tires before the 6 years mark hits.

Thats not to say a tire before 6 yrs will not be damaged while driving. It all depends on how the tires are stored when not in use. I was in the tire sales for some time and I noticed people were driving around with tires that had dry cracks on the tires and the tires were only 3-4 years old.

My moms winter tires were perfectly fine after 5 years of use. No dry cracks, tire thread was around 85% considering she only drives like 3-4k in the winter months. After storing it for the 5th summer, I noticed cracks forming and got rid of the tires.

Better safe than sorry :)

[TayTay]

6 yrs old ... Ah! That's nothing compare to my friend is still using his 12 years old winters (Toyo Observe G02 -1st generation). Even he said it's a big gamble but as long as he does not drive them on the 401, he thinks they are safe. He did feel the tires are very hard and there are no flex in them.

[zoomzoom!]

i would replace them. Better safe than sorry

[KoukiDC5]

as long as your tire doesnt have any cracks you are fine!