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Topic: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better? (Read 380 times) previous topic - next topic
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Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
My 2002 Honda CR-V was rear-ended on May 19th and after "jumping" through the insurance hoops from Geico I finally have it back after being repaired.  Trust me, it was a frustrating and long story...

Now, I'd like to relax and travel to Mexico for the winter and need to replace my tires.  However, I found the Michelin no longer manufactures the size for my CR-V.  I've decided to replace the tires with the Yokohama Avid Ascend, but I'm having "issues" getting four "fresh" tires.  One rep from Discount Tire argued with me that they have "no control" over tire age.  I've already experienced the age issue with the current tires that were 8-9 months old. 

In my opinion, putting older tires on a car in a dry, hot climate is like buying food near the expiration date.  The food is still good, but for how long? 

One person from Discount Tire made me feel like I was being "unreasonable" asking for newer manufactured tires.  The have three manufactured the 3rd week of 2022, and three manufactured the 24th week of 2022.  I told them get one more "newer" tire and I'll purchase them. 

Then, I got the lecture about the tire all being in a "climate controlled" warehouse, etc...

I'm interested to know if I'm being "too picky" rather than a smart consumer.
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #1 –
I’ve not had any trouble getting “fresh” tires from our local Discount Tire.  I’d first suggest checking with another Discount Tire store and see if you get better service.  If the second store can’t deliver tires manufactured within the last 3-6 months, then you might have to take what’s available.  Having said all of that, you’re not being picky when you’re the person buying the tires or anything else … IMO.  Hope this helps. 
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #2 –
Discount Tire is not the only game in town; you might want to check independent tire shops that may offer more positive customer service and less attitude.

Supply chain issues may have affected availability, but you might be surprised at an independent tire dealer’s ability to get fresh tires that meet the customer’s specs. Most tire shops follow the party line on “sitting on a shelf in a warehouse for months/years is just fine”; obviously, they want to move old stock.

I suggest having two, even three, tire choices on your list, deciding on a specific freshness window, specifying date matching all tires, and drilling down on shop choices to find the best service and product.

Tire BS is way too common, and, IMO, not acceptable. YMMV, as always.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #3 –
Hi Cheryl:  The last time I got tires for my motorhome at Discount Tires here in San Diego, I pointed out that my tires 'Age out'  long before they wear out.  They understood that.  When I got there they put on all 7 tires, and I pointed out that two of the tires were 7 and 9 months old and the remaining 5 were all the same dates 'a few days apart' a month previous.  They explained that the warehouse system just sent them 7 tires and they had no control over the dates. They had me drive on them all for a week, while they ordered 4 more.  They took back the two tires in question and two of the received replacements were the same age group as the other 5 that I kept. so I was happy about that.
    Car tires usually wear out before they 'age out'.  And even at high temperature climates they should be good for 5-7 years. Tread wear and side wall cracking are the arbiters of wear. The 3rd week of '22 is too 'unfresh' for me, and the middle of June is a stretch.  You are the customer. Have a talk with the manager, and/or try a different store. There should be several in the area.  With Costco and Sam's Club there are too many competitors in tire supply to put up with this 'attitude', and you are not being too picky.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #4 –
All my life never cared about the age of car tires because as others have stated, I’ll wear them out before I would age them out.

When picking up my 2017 TK in March this year, even though there were just 7,000 miles on them, and the tires were in great shape, I knew they have effectively aged out, so I replaced all seven perfect looking tires.

Joan recommended a tire shop she’d used in San Jose (Tire Outlet) and they did not disappoint, all seven tires installed in April were manufactured in March 2022.

Can’t see patronizing a place that won’t provide you with the fresh tires you want, suggests they don’t move enough tires, let them sell the older tires to the uninformed.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #5 –
Tire date is a thing in the RV community, in part because the vehicles are heavy and people typically don't drive many miles. 

It's not something the vast majority of people worry about with cars. 

Some tires are produced in batches, and then another batch might not be produced for a while.  If it's been a few months since a production batch, there just aren't any of those tires with newer date codes in existence.   

Continuing supply chain issues make things even trickier these days.

I wouldn't worry about it for a car unless you plan to drive (or tow it) very few miles over the next 6 years. 

That said, an independent shop might be more likely to accommodate your wishes and I can't think of many practical reasons why they wouldn't if you're willing to be patient and/or flexible about install date. 

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Ed & Margee  - 
I’ve not had any trouble getting “fresh” tires from our local Discount Tire.  I’d first suggest checking with another Discount Tire store and see if you get better service.  If the second store can’t deliver tires manufactured within the last 3-6 months, then you might have to take what’s available.  Having said all of that, you’re not being picky when you’re the person buying the tires or anything else … IMO.  Hope this helps. 

Actually, I've called the store in Canutillo, TX (not far from Las Cruces) and the rep told me he can actually find out the manufacture date before they're shipped. 
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #7 –
"I'm interested to know if I'm being "too picky" rather than a smart consumer. "

We had been giving our business to the same tire shop for multiple vehicles for over twenty years . . . last year, I redid all the tires on four vehicles - 18 tires.  The first vehicle had FOUR-year-old tires put on it.  This was caught by my trusted mechanic, and the tires were changed out with no fuss.  But my faith in them had been entirely destroyed, and the remaining 14 tires were purchased elsewhere.

I guess they rightly figured that a newly-widowed old bat wouldn't notice, and I hadn't.  But thankfully my trusted mechanic was looking out for me a lot more closely.

So, yes . . . be as picky as you feel is necessary -" trust everyone, but cut the cards" - as they say.

   Virtual hugs,

   Judie

2015 Leisure Travel Unity (Sally Forth) - 2024 -
2009 Pleasure-Way Excel TS (Joyce) - 2019 - 2024
2018 Sportsmobile - (Hopper) 2023 - 2024
2005 RB (Dorrie Anne) - 2009-2022, 1985 TK (Gertie) - 1991-2001
1999 Mountain Aire (Francine) - 2001 - 2009
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #8 –
After having a matched set of 6 Toyos (all same date range) fail on my way to Moab and Ladeze (they had 5,000 miles on them), you bet I'm watching dates on everything.

What could have happened didn't, I didn't have much luck with the next batch, that weren't Toyos.   Carefully check. Always and be safe!!
2005 RB
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #9 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
Discount Tire is not the only game in town; you might want to check independent tire shops that may offer more positive customer service and less attitude.

Supply chain issues may have affected availability, but you might be surprised at an independent tire dealer’s ability to get fresh tires that meet the customer’s specs. Most tire shops follow the party line on “sitting on a shelf in a warehouse for months/years is just fine”; obviously, they want to move old stock.

I suggest having two, even three, tire choices on your list, deciding on a specific freshness window, specifying date matching all tires, and drilling down on shop choices to find the best service and product.

Tire BS is way too common, and, IMO, not acceptable. YMMV, as always.


Tires are important and "scare" me a bit as your livelihood is balancing on your tires.  In smaller areas (like Las Cruces) tire shop choices are fewer.  As a single retired female, the chance of tire failure when I'm driving alone in an isolated area is not something I look forward to experiencing.  Discount Tire has it's faults and quirks, but they're giving me an "adjustment" on the Michelin tires.  This could certainly be my fault as I'm not an expert at having my alignment done on a regular basis.  I'm going to try and work with Discount Tires as I'm "out the door" with four new tires at just over $500.
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Lisa T.  - 
After having a matched set of 6 Toyos (all same date range) fail on my way to Moab and Ladeze (they had 5,000 miles on them), you bet I'm watching dates on everything.

What could have happened didn't, I didn't have much luck with the next batch, that weren't Toyos.   Carefully check. Always and be safe!!

Totally agree!
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #11 –
The way I look at things, the workers are not your friends or a part of your family, so they don't care about your safety. Your safety is way more important than what the workers think or act, so don't worry about what they say.
Sam
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #12 –
Quote from: Judie Ashford  - 

We had been giving our business to the same tire shop for multiple vehicles for over twenty years . . . last year, I redid all the tires on four vehicles - 18 tires.  The first vehicle had FOUR-year-old tires put on it.  This was caught by my trusted mechanic, and the tires were changed out with no fuss.  But my faith in them had been entirely destroyed, and the remaining 14 tires were purchased elsewhere.


Wow, that's just crazy - four years old?  It's "exhausting" as I grow older being single to keep on top of people who chose not to do the "right thing."
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Wingersky  - 
The way I look at things, the workers are not your friends or a part of your family, so they don't care about your safety. Your safety is way more important than what the workers think or act, so don't worry about what they say.

Absolutely true.  However, I do admit to being "more than a little" OCD and having an anxiety disorder that flares up at times.  (I just want to get from point A to point B safely.)
Cheryl (a.k.a. Desert Diva)
1998 Lazy Daze (26.5 mid-bath)
2002 Honda CR-V
 
Re: Tire Age - Is "Fresher" Better?
Reply #14 –
This is my biggest stumbling block as well - the fear of failure of equipment in one way or another.  It didn't seem to be an issue with me when I was part of a pair.
 
Virtual hugs,
Judie

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
2015 Leisure Travel Unity (Sally Forth) - 2024 -
2009 Pleasure-Way Excel TS (Joyce) - 2019 - 2024
2018 Sportsmobile - (Hopper) 2023 - 2024
2005 RB (Dorrie Anne) - 2009-2022, 1985 TK (Gertie) - 1991-2001
1999 Mountain Aire (Francine) - 2001 - 2009