How old are your new tires?

[Russell]

Mine are 5 years old. Bought them about 6 months ago. This is a statistic I'll keep in mind when buying tires again.

I did not realize how often selling of "old stock' tires really was. I thought I was just unlucky.

[dennyg]

The best information from the 20/20 is the dot code. I was told this a long time ago but forgot about it. I think most of the problems are with truck/suv tires that have more aggressive and deeper tread patterns.

I also thought it was bogus to show truck retreads by the side of the road. Our press has developed the Rupport Murdock syndrome that dramatizes everything more just for ratings.

I think many of us are going to check those dot dates on all our cars very soon. At the very least if the tires are over six years old they should be changed out at half tread in my opinion. I have original spare p2000 from some cars I bought. Anyone want a deal on new tires lol.

[e34.535i.sport]

Well, you've got my interest... I wish I'd read this before I bought four new tyres today... Just going to check their 'age' now!!

[e34.535i.sport]

They were made 4008... whichI make as the 40th week of 2008... That'll do me!

[e34.535i.sport]

They were made 4008... which I make as the 40th week of 2008... That'll do me!

Brilliant thread by the way... Made me think twice.

[BMWDriver]

Thanks for the compliment.

Yeah... So now I have a 16 year old spare in my trunk... AFAIK.

[Tiger]

Buy a cheapo 'new' tire and stick it on your spare tire.

[paanta]

Ah. 20/20.

Lead with story about the death of a child or parent or elderly person or pet.
"Danger hidden in everyday object!"
Show graphic example of product failing in test conditions (whether relevant or not). Fake it if you need to.
Closeup of tiny sneaker, dog collar, family photo.
Describe pattern of government/industry coverup
Grill some industry insider/lackey
Give viewer 20 seconds of useful info
Go undercover to make 20/20 look tough
Wrapup.

Useful, though. Don't buy crappy tires and buy them from somewhere online with lots of turnover.

[Vanguard]

Was 20/20 the guys that did the chevy/gmc truck gas tank story? You know the one about the exploding truck that wouldn't explode so they put sparkers on to make it catch fire.

[xspeedy]

Was 20/20 the guys that did the chevy/gmc truck gas tank story? You know the one about the exploding truck that wouldn't explode so they put sparkers on to make it catch fire.

That was Dateline NBC - from Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dateline_NBC

General Motors

Dateline NBC aired an investigative report about General Motors pickup trucks allegedly exploding upon impact during accidents due to poor design of fuel tanks. Dateline's film showed a sample of a low speed accident with the fuel tank exploding. In reality, Dateline NBC producers had rigged the truck with remotely detonated explosives. The program did not disclose the fact that the accident was staged. GM investigators studied the film, and discovered that smoke actually came out of the fuel tank a split-second before impact. GM subsequently filed an anti-defamation lawsuit against NBC after conducting an extensive investigation. On February 18, 1993 GM conducted a highly publicized (view broadcast in 1993 section of GM 1990s history) point-by-point rebuttal that lasted nearly two hours after announcing the lawsuit. The lawsuit was quickly settled by NBC, and Jane Pauley read an apology on the program.

The following Dateline NBC producers were dismissed: Jeff Diamond, executive producer; David Rummel, senior producer; and Robert Read, producer of the report on the pickups. Michele Gillen, the reporter involved in the segment, was transferred to Miami station WTVJ. Michael G. Gartner, president of the news division, resigned under pressure.