Re: [FWDLK] Fisk: "Time to RE-tire"!

Probably as soon as a tire company admitted there could be a problem,

the other companies would use it as a chance to act superior and gain

those tire sales. I imagine it is a stand-off.

I don't think it is the tire age factor, alone, but what usually happens

as tires age. Low operating pressures have the sidewalls flexing a lot,

which can heat the tires, and harden or break the reinforcing fibers.

On steel belted tires that is a real problem. Ask the Ford SUV's.

As the rubber sidewalls age, more quickly in sun or under inflation, they

crack. The cracks open more as you inflate the tires. Air and moisture

gets in there and can weaken the belts... especially steel belts. My

local tire shop has shown me some of these with Rusted broken belts !

The make of tire doesn't eliminate these problems.

I've had expensive tires separate more than cheap tires.

If I had perfect conditions, I wouldn't be worried about the age of the tire,

but of course, no one has perfect conditions.

Tom S

southern Ohio

I think if age was so much of an issue on tires wouldn't the tire companies be the first to let the American people know so we would all go out and buy new tires whether we need them or not?

Adam Lindenbaum