As Mike has said, 7 years is about the limit. You can push it past that and I'll tell you how. That date code is when the tires were made. They probably sat in a nice cool, dark warehouse for some period of time (months) and maybe even at the tire shop. If the car was garaged then it was kept out of the direct sunlight and that can add some time too. If the tires show no cracking in the sidewalls you can keep driving on them but 8 years past the date code is about the most you would want to go. If the car is not used on the highway you can go even longer but you are not going to have a safe tire. After so many years the tires seem to get very hard riding and when they get hot the tread can separate from the carcass. Always making sure you have the correct tire pressure and using a tire spray with UV protection will also prolong the life of the tires. I also check the tires regularly for stones, screws, nails, and glass. Run your hand over the tread and the sides of the tire. If you feel waves or lumps-and-bumps, the tire is starting to separate inside. If you hit a really bad pothole you should inspect the tire right away and the rim too. For leaks (in the tread area only) never trust a plug for anything but a temporary repair. The "proper" way is to dismount the tire, patch it inside, remount and rebalance. Damage or leaks in the side are unrepairable. Be very wary if you have to use the spare. I would go real slow and limp to a tire shop right away. That tire is over 25 years old!!!!! David Teitelbaum vin 10757 --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Tom Tait" <TTait@...> wrote: > > Our new D has ancient tires on the rear, but the date code on the Yokohamas on the front is 2001. They still have good tread and no cracking etc - what does the collective wisdom here think? > > BYW - the model name of the tire is ASSOH - not sure how I feel about that either - havn't they heard of focus groups? I guess the name is irrelevant if the wheels keep turning. > > Tom > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/