How long on original tires? - 2003-04 Mach 1 Registry Owners Club

rsnider · 05-08-2009, 08:03 PM

I have an 03 that was built at the end of February. I keep the car garaged 95% of the time. There are not signs of cracking or drying but I worry about the tire coming apart at high speed. I live in a warm dry climate and only drive the car occasionally. The car just turned 23k.

With such limited ultra-violet light exposure should I worry?

I might not understand the explination, but I'm looking for someone with engineering background (or at least a few years under their belt at Discount Tire and a technical background with tires).

I sure don't want to have a mishap at the track or on the freeway.

Can anyone help?

2k4mach · 05-08-2009, 08:16 PM

in your hot enviroment id be replacing tires. uv isnt the only killer of tires. heat in general is as the oils and what not in the rubber eventually drys out.

White04Mach · 05-08-2009, 09:50 PM

My original Skaterbacks have about 6k miles on them and are HORRIBLY weather cracked. There are 1/4 inch cracks in the valleys in the tread pattern when fully inflated. They were like this when I bought the car last year with 2700 miles on it. I was just waiting for one to come apart on the 800 mile drive home with it.

Bill Hamilton · 05-08-2009, 10:16 PM

There was a report on a TV news special a year or so back that said seven years is the max age on tires regardless of the mileage. Not that they will fail immediately but they are no longer safe at higher speeds.

I think this has been discussed before somewhere in the forum because I found out the tires on my 1970 Mach were 14 years old and I replaced them even though the tread look good. I enjoy driving my classic Mach at "high-way" speeds at least once a month.

MachWonGuy · 05-08-2009, 10:44 PM

Tires on my 70 Mach are going on 11 yrs.....they have lots of cracks and are VERY VERY hard....Really need to focus on getting a new set.

Tires on the 04 are still like new and will last forever LOL If you decide to sell your original tires I would love to have one for a spare

03mach1 · 05-09-2009, 08:29 AM

I ran 6.5 years with 24K miles on my 1994 GT, I am still on the orginals on my 2003 Mach1 (only 14K miles) garage stored most of the time.

blk 04 mach 1 · 05-09-2009, 02:30 PM

I have 15k on my original tires, the car is garage kept also!

Mustanger2 · 05-10-2009, 02:19 AM

My Grandad bought a new 1953 Chevy pickup & when he died in '81 I got his truck...it still had all the original tires! Pretty rotted sidewalls and the cords were sticking out & frayed quite a bit...they had been recapped at least once...the spare was a newer replacement though & not original. Granddad would drive a tire until it could not be repaired again! Anybody ever hear of a "boot" in a tire? Just another trick to get more miles out of an old tire!

MnvlMat · 05-10-2009, 02:59 AM

Look at it this way... the tire is the only thing connecting you to the ground. If it looks dry and cracked or you just dont trust them get new ones. I know that in the motorcycle world that tires get hard and dont perform as well as the should in about 2 years no matter what the wear is.

If you have ANY doubt about the safety of your tires sack up and get new ones.. Better safe than sorry.

Evil87GN · 05-10-2009, 06:35 PM

I got over 40K out of my Scarybacks before they were done. They were actually holding up pretty well for a zr rated tire. Once it started skating around on a damp road, it was time for them to go. I would go ahead and replace them due to the dry enviroment you live in. It sucks the moisture/oils out of the rubber, and while it may not be obvious, they could be on their way out. When it comes to tires, it's better to be safe now than sorry later.

2k4mach · 05-10-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MnvlMat

Look at it this way... the tire is the only thing connecting you to the ground. If it looks dry and cracked or you just dont trust them get new ones. I know that in the motorcycle world that tires get hard and dont perform as well as the should in about 2 years no matter what the wear is.

If you have ANY doubt about the safety of your tires sack up and get new ones.. Better safe than sorry.

and to add to that, the rubber tread surface is bonded to the belts that make up the structure of the tire so once its starts to crack whos to say when the bond between rubber and the belts will start to fail.......

bakers03 · 05-10-2009, 07:55 PM

I drove out and back across country on mine and I'd be lying if I told ya I was not worried. Replace em'.

05-10-2009, 11:52 PM

My front wheels have the original tires on them. Until I get 17x9's for the front, they will stay on. My mach is always garaged so I'm not worried about it.

slowr w/o blowr · 05-11-2009, 02:01 AM

I pulled out the stockers this weekend. I'm thinking they have around 15k miles on them. Not any problems with them and they look excellent.

(The only reason i was running them was due to not knowing how my new suspension was going to react.)

falconpilot · 05-11-2009, 09:55 AM

Still have mine at 45K... But they are looking thin... Will be replaced later this year....

Dennis

DTMach1 · 05-11-2009, 10:20 AM

I don't understand the obsession with keeping old tires. If they're old, replace them! Its for your safety!!!

MattN03 · 05-11-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 03mach1

I ran 6.5 years with 24K miles on my 1994 GT, I am still on the orginals on my 2003 Mach1 (only 14K miles) garage stored most of the time.

Same as Dave. I have 14,500 miles and mine is stored 100% in the garage. No signs of cracking, etc as of yet.

Mustanger2 · 05-11-2009, 02:13 PM

LOL...it is a money thing...if it ain't wore out don't mess with it...I check my tires constantly but will not replace them based just on time...Never had a hint of a problem

05-08-2009, 08:03 PM	#1
rsnider Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,336	How long on original tires? I have an 03 that was built at the end of February. I keep the car garaged 95% of the time. There are not signs of cracking or drying but I worry about the tire coming apart at high speed. I live in a warm dry climate and only drive the car occasionally. The car just turned 23k. With such limited ultra-violet light exposure should I worry? I might not understand the explination, but I'm looking for someone with engineering background (or at least a few years under their belt at Discount Tire and a technical background with tires). I sure don't want to have a mishap at the track or on the freeway. Can anyone help?

05-08-2009, 08:16 PM	#2
2k4mach LuLz Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 19,294	Re: How long on original tires? in your hot enviroment id be replacing tires. uv isnt the only killer of tires. heat in general is as the oils and what not in the rubber eventually drys out. __________________ 11 Sterling gray GT500 coupe 08 Silver Z06 1058rwhp/1073rwt @ 15psi 14 Silver Q50S Vortech blown 04 DSG Mach 1 (stolen) 03 OW Mach 1 (sitting in a field rotting away)

05-08-2009, 09:50 PM	#3
White04Mach Stab n' Steer! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Carey, Ohio Posts: 1,137	Re: How long on original tires? My original Skaterbacks have about 6k miles on them and are HORRIBLY weather cracked. There are 1/4 inch cracks in the valleys in the tread pattern when fully inflated. They were like this when I bought the car last year with 2700 miles on it. I was just waiting for one to come apart on the 800 mile drive home with it. __________________ 2004 White Mach 1, 5 Speed, IUP 18k miles Sold 01/10/15 Ford C springs, MM Adjustable lower control arms, DD Mach rims, Honeycomb panel, sequential turn signals, modded Bullitt skirts, wingless decklid, Cobra mirrors, Flowmaster 40's, Fiore quadrant and firewall adjuster, 4.10's, Shelby diff cover, MGW shifter, Raptor shift light.

05-08-2009, 10:16 PM	#4
Bill Hamilton Mustang owner since 1970 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Charleston,SC Posts: 6,243	Re: How long on original tires? There was a report on a TV news special a year or so back that said seven years is the max age on tires regardless of the mileage. Not that they will fail immediately but they are no longer safe at higher speeds. I think this has been discussed before somewhere in the forum because I found out the tires on my 1970 Mach were 14 years old and I replaced them even though the tread look good. I enjoy driving my classic Mach at "high-way" speeds at least once a month. __________________ Bill SUPPORTING MEMBER USAF Retired My 1970 Mach 2003 Ford Mustang Mach I---Black w/5-speed --- gone but not forgotten 2011 Shelby GT-500 --- Ingot Silver Metallic and 6-speed (Sold and Now Terrorizing the residents of New Zealand) 1970 Ford Mustang Mach 1---White w/351C-4v Shaker Hood scoop and T-5 tranny 2014 Shelby GT-500 --- White/red stripes and 6-speed 2019 Mustang Convertible Premium Package w/automatic ___________________

05-08-2009, 10:44 PM	#5
MachWonGuy 70 Mach & 04 Mach Owner Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kingston, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,048	Re: How long on original tires? Tires on my 70 Mach are going on 11 yrs.....they have lots of cracks and are VERY VERY hard....Really need to focus on getting a new set. Tires on the 04 are still like new and will last forever LOL If you decide to sell your original tires I would love to have one for a spare __________________ 1970 Mustang Mach 1 351 4V 4-Speed Calypso Coral Purchased Aug 13th 1998 2004 Mustang Mach 1 4.6 32V 5-Speed Competition Orange Purchased Sept 24th 2008 2012 Mustang Boss 302 32V 6-Speed Race Red Purchased June 8th 2013 Check out my Mach's & Collection at: http://www.machwon.com

05-09-2009, 08:29 AM	#6
03mach1 Admin/Founder Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Cuba, NY Posts: 6,804	Re: How long on original tires? I ran 6.5 years with 24K miles on my 1994 GT, I am still on the orginals on my 2003 Mach1 (only 14K miles) garage stored most of the time. __________________ David J. Wagner Founder/Admin Member #0001 http://www.Mach1Registry.com http://www.Mach1Performance.org Amsoil T-1 Certified Independant Dealer Member, MCA '03 Mach 1, '08 V6 WIP, 76 Cobra II VIN#301788

05-09-2009, 02:30 PM	#7
blk 04 mach 1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Hallsville Texas Posts: 953	Re: How long on original tires? I have 15k on my original tires, the car is garage kept also!

05-10-2009, 02:19 AM	#8
Mustanger2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,777	Re: How long on original tires? My Grandad bought a new 1953 Chevy pickup & when he died in '81 I got his truck...it still had all the original tires! Pretty rotted sidewalls and the cords were sticking out & frayed quite a bit...they had been recapped at least once...the spare was a newer replacement though & not original. Granddad would drive a tire until it could not be repaired again! Anybody ever hear of a "boot" in a tire? Just another trick to get more miles out of an old tire! __________________ I drive a slow Mustang....but I drive it Slow....HARD!

05-10-2009, 02:59 AM	#9
MnvlMat Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Manville NJ Posts: 18	Re: How long on original tires? Look at it this way... the tire is the only thing connecting you to the ground. If it looks dry and cracked or you just dont trust them get new ones. I know that in the motorcycle world that tires get hard and dont perform as well as the should in about 2 years no matter what the wear is. If you have ANY doubt about the safety of your tires sack up and get new ones.. Better safe than sorry.

05-10-2009, 06:35 PM	#10
Evil87GN Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 142	Re: How long on original tires? I got over 40K out of my Scarybacks before they were done. They were actually holding up pretty well for a zr rated tire. Once it started skating around on a damp road, it was time for them to go. I would go ahead and replace them due to the dry enviroment you live in. It sucks the moisture/oils out of the rubber, and while it may not be obvious, they could be on their way out. When it comes to tires, it's better to be safe now than sorry later.

05-10-2009, 07:55 PM	#12
bakers03 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New England Posts: 291	Re: How long on original tires? I drove out and back across country on mine and I'd be lying if I told ya I was not worried. Replace em'. __________________ 2003 DSG 5spd mgw shifter weld in loudmouth 1 coin delete 8000k hid's BBS RX 17x9 Falken Azen1s stolen lighter plug (thanks Hertz) street map book 1999 GT sold w/215k 1989 GT sold 1996 (major mods) 1986 GT sold 1988 (total p.o.s)

05-10-2009, 11:52 PM	#13
nikbait Guest Posts: n/a	Re: How long on original tires? My front wheels have the original tires on them. Until I get 17x9's for the front, they will stay on. My mach is always garaged so I'm not worried about it.

05-11-2009, 02:01 AM	#14
slowr w/o blowr only the tip jst 4 a sec. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Manureville Indiana Posts: 374	Re: How long on original tires? I pulled out the stockers this weekend. I'm thinking they have around 15k miles on them. Not any problems with them and they look excellent. (The only reason i was running them was due to not knowing how my new suspension was going to react.) __________________ K.B. T-56 MM T.A., PHB, FLSFC, XTREME LCA'S, FRP GIRDLE, DIFF MOSIER AXLES O/R PROCHAMBER MAGNA-PACS

05-11-2009, 09:55 AM	#15
falconpilot Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ashville Alabama Posts: 59	Re: How long on original tires? Still have mine at 45K... But they are looking thin... Will be replaced later this year.... Dennis

05-11-2009, 10:20 AM	#16
DTMach1 semi-pro moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 4,955	Re: How long on original tires? I don't understand the obsession with keeping old tires. If they're old, replace them! Its for your safety!!! __________________ 2004 Mach 1 IUP/5spd/DSG Engine, etc done...sits in the garage

05-11-2009, 02:13 PM	#18
Mustanger2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,777	Re: How long on original tires? LOL...it is a money thing...if it ain't wore out don't mess with it...I check my tires constantly but will not replace them based just on time...Never had a hint of a problem __________________ I drive a slow Mustang....but I drive it Slow....HARD!

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