My rule of thumb. If they're older than 7 years based on the date-stamp on the tires they go to the recycling depot. Others laugh at me for doing so, but it's the only thing between you and the road. Tires aren't that expensive especially Kuhmo.
Big Time Poster
My rule of thumb. If they're older than 7 years based on the date-stamp on the tires they go to the recycling depot. Others laugh at me for doing so, but it's the only thing between you and the road. Tires aren't that expensive especially Kuhmo.
4 Grand Master
Mostly hoo ha me thinks.
20/20 just loves to alarm people
"The gas pedal wouldn't go to the floor if it weren't meant to be there"
Big Time Poster
Yeah, which is why I would like to see more detail. No specifics were given for the tires that failed. If you google on the subject though, there are others that say old tires are more prone to failure. Ford is one of them.Originally Posted by Ross
Leads me to wonder if that is related to the Ford Explorer tread separation. Maybe Firestone had a huge inventory of old tires in the required size
4 Grand Master
The esteemed journalists at 20/20 always seem to do just enough research to lend some credence to their alarmist position and stir the pot. Grandma takes this as gospel and runs to the nearest tire store where she is promptly hosed.
About the same time Ford and Firestone were in deep doo-doo over the blowouts(of underinflated tires) the Indianapolis speedway was reconfiguring for Formula One. I had an opportunity to walk the course. Those tire barriers are all brand new Firestones in Explorer sizes, with holes carefully bored in every sidewall.
2 Grand Master
Your point?
Thanks,
1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment
4 Grand Master
That I don't put much stock in what 20/20 has to say and I thought it interesting that Firestone had found a customer after all for it's so-called defective tires.
2 Grand Master
I was involved in the Ford Explorer tire recall on our 98 Eddie Bauer. IMO, the Firestone Wilderness tires we removed were terrible tires from a handling point of view. Very slow turn in, wandered, side winds would blow you all over the road and well rode like a truck. The replacement Bridgestone Duel HL tires were the positive opposite in every respect. Plus the lasted 50,000 miles before I felt they were too old and showing dry rot cracks.
I could not believe that Bridgestone/Firestone could make both tires or that Ford would spec such a crappy tire for one of their, at the time, best selling verhicles.
Rant over.
Last edited by Russell; 02-17-2009 at 09:04 PM.
Thanks,
1995 525i Auto, M50TU 2.5L, EAT chip, 1/95 build, USA, 205/65/15 tires, ASC+T, HID, lumbar, EC Mirror, BMW Alpine 5 radio with BMW-Pioneer CD Changer, abt 236k miles, Oxford Green/Parchment
4 Grand Master
It was a cheap tire with a tall sidewall and low inflation pressure to try and give a truck a carlike ride. At the expense of already dismal handling.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote