[V8] Critical Tire Question

[Charles Wurts]

I have been told that a performance tire has a "shelf life" of about 5 
years FWIW.  After which one should should not expect the level of 
performance for which it was designed.  Tires are manufactured with 
sacrificial compounds to protect them from exposure; this is often 
obvious on a tire which has not seen use over an extended period of 
time.  My experience with snow tires supports this statement from a 
performance perspective, again FWIW.

If it were my car, I would ask the dealer to mount and balance 
identical tires with similar manufacture dates.


On Jan 20, 2005, at 10:15 AM, S_Matus wrote:

> I need opinions on a recent tire purchase.
>
> Monday I purchased 4 tires for the V8QM.
>
> The 4 tires are Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP, so I thought.
>
> The tires are mounted on my wheels that I brought to them.  I removed 
> the tire/wheel combination from the truck and I spotted the tire 
> compound rating.  It triggered a big flag. I have 1 of the tire 
> stickers that I alway keep one for the log book.  The sticker I have 
> is for a Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EP size 255/40ZR-17 UTQG 340, AA, A.  
> I inspected the tires and found that 2 tires match the sticker Mfg 
> Date 41-03 UTQG 340, AA, A.  The next tire is a Firestone Firehawk 
> SZ50 (No EP) size 255/40ZR-17 UTQG 220, A, A, with a Mfg Date of 27-8. 
> The last tire is a Firestone Firehawk SZ50 (No EP) size 255/40ZR-17 
> UTQG 220, A, A, with a Mfg Date of 47-6. This one is made in a 
> differnt factory. The tread pattern on all the tires
> is identical.
>
> WHAT CONSUMER LOOKS AT THE MFG DATE AND BUILD SITE?  Much less to
> ensure that all 4 tires are the same UTQG?  The average Joe would have 
> no clue!
>
> So, do I not only have 2 recent tires from 2003, but I have two Old 
> tires from 1996 and 1997.  These are directional tires and the dealer 
> did not mount the 340's on different rotations (Keeping the 340's on 
> the same axle).  So If I did keep these tires they have to dismount 2
> tires and change the rotation.  I could force them to order in 2 more 
> tires that have the 340 coumpound.
>
> I wonder how these will wear?  Will one pair of tires be gone before 
> the other?
>
> Wow, I'm going to call the dealer to see what remedy they will give me.
>
> What are your thoughts. ????
>
> Scott.
>
> 		
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