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[adamsclubs]

I recently replaced my tires, at the shop I thought the tires looked old but did not think much.

The next few days I noticed in the morning the first 20 minutes driving on the freeway the steering wheel shaked, but then the shaking went away. I started to suspect something wrong with the tires.

After reading on Tire Rack I found out the new tires were manufactured in early 2009 (last four digits are 0909). That was almost 3.5 years ago.

Do I have a legit complaint against my local tire shop or their supplier? Depending on how the tires were stored, could they have lost quite a bit integrity after over three years?

[Bronze]

Absolutely. Those tires should have been scrapped, not sold as new. I'd ask for replacements.

[obert]

Yeah I would take them back and tell them there is a problem, also let them know you know that they are old tires.

[Rmk392]

I think the shelf life is about 6 years ..not sure if the NHSTA put an official shelf life out there though

[adamsclubs]

Originally Posted by Rmk392

I think the shelf life is about 6 years ..not sure if the NHSTA put an official shelf life out there though

I went to the tire store chain's own website, they recommend tire replacement after 6 years. This means I only have two and half years left on the tires. I only expect to put about 10k miles a year.

More importantly, the tires appear very much exposed to the elements when they were stored. They tried to clean the side walls but discoloring is still very visible on all tires.

I think they need to replace them. What you guys think I should tell them if they BS with me?

[NiVeDh]

I think you're overreacting. It's fine as long as they were stored properly. If it makes you feel better, ask them if they'll replace them.

[adamsclubs]

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

I think you're overreacting. It's fine as long as they were stored properly. If it makes you feel better, ask them if they'll replace them.

Were the tires properly stored when the sidewalls are all yellow and can not be shined?

[NiVeDh]

Originally Posted by adamsclubs

Were the tires properly stored when the sidewalls are all yellow and can not be shined?

Post a photo if you can.

[adamsclubs]

One pic shows the discoloring of the tire. It was like that when the shop installed the tires. I thought it was just dirt I could wash it off later. Now come to think of it, the shop always shined the tires after they installed or rebalanced my tires in the past, they must have tried to shine this time also but failed.

The other pic shows the amount of weights used. Is it normal to have these many weights?

[Tallest]

I think you should first establish if shaking is indeed caused by these tyres. Their age is probably irrelevant as what you see is cosmetic, and their performance might be worse only in way they're more slippery or something, rubber has hardened over years etc.

If tyres are defective, they should have no issues of swapping.

Also, the weights on rims - well, you might have some reps that are a bit bent already and need more weights, doesn't really have to be tyres. Since last time you balanced how much time passed?


So in short: check if shaking due to tyres, if wheels are balanced and not bent and go from there.

[adamsclubs]

The wheels are brand new, which adds insult to the injury. I have contacted them through their corporate website, will wait for a day or two, if no response, I will go to the shop talk to them.

[obert]

Originally Posted by adamsclubs

One pic shows the discoloring of the tire. It was like that when the shop installed the tires. I thought it was just dirt I could wash it off later. Now come to think of it, the shop always shined the tires after they installed or rebalanced my tires in the past, they must have tried to shine this time also but failed.

The other pic shows the amount of weights used. Is it normal to have these many weights?

Damn that is aloooooooooooooooot of weight

[VMRWheels]

Tires have an expiration date but 3 years isn't old at all. Just as long as they're stored indoors at a normal temperature with not a lot of moisture. They have a shelf life for 6-7 years depending on the brand and how well they were maintained/stored. Imagine a car that was built in 08 and sat in a garage, tires wouldn't be considered bad and unusable. There will probably be oxidation and residue on the tire itself but its typically normal to see this. The vibration issue you're experience is probably just because your wheels weren't balanced properly. Roadforce balance is what you need. They'll rotate the tire on the rim itself minimizing the amount of weights required.