Ray Magliozzi
Dear Car Talk:
I have a tire question for you. I used to live at 8,000 feet in the mountains of Colorado. I had a double-switchback driveway on a north-facing hill. I used real snow tires in the winter and stored them in the summer.
I recently moved to sunny New Mexico. I remounted the snow tires and have been using them year-round just because they have so much tread remaining. They are about 15 years old. Are they still safe?
— Joe
No. Bad idea, Joe.
The problem with tires is that rubber degrades over time, just from contact with ozone in the air. So even if the tires have tread left, they could still be ready to crumble.
I have a neighbor who told me she had a 20-year-old toilet plunger and needed to use it one day.
She stuck it in the offending bowl ,and it fell apart. Then, she called me to ask what to do. I told her to buy a new plunger and leave me out of it.
I’d be willing to bet that if you looked closely at your tires — maybe even not that closely — you’ll see lots of cracks in the sidewalls. That’s a sign that the rubber is dried out and failing. Most tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six years, regardless of tread. And even if we factor in the profit motive and liability lawyering in that recommendation, I think you’re way past any reasonable expiration date.
The other problem with your approach is that snow tires aren’t as good as summer or all-season tires in non-snowy conditions. Snow tires are not only noisier, but their aggressive, blocky tread puts less rubber on the ground. That means they steer the car more poorly, hold the road less well, and take much longer to stop the car. So, if a blowout doesn’t get you, the long stopping distance might.
I’d bite the bullet and get a new set of all-season tires, Joe. Maybe the kids on your street could use some tree swings? And replace your plunger, too.
Got a question about cars? Write to Ray in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email by visiting the Car Talk website at www.cartalk.com.
