S2K75

Hello All,

Seeking advice, I'm still running on original factory tires from the dealer @ 7800 miles. Read up and saw that 6 to 10 years is max, the tires all look great. My plan is to remove the originally tires and keep them for authenticity and buy new tires to use.

dc2-2-ap1

That is recommended. Traction capabilities are known to fall off after several years, regardless of tread depth.
Why keep the factory tires? It is not like they were anything special. I am not into the collector circles, so I don't know if that would improve resale, but they don't seem like something that is worth keeping. I would think after the whole Paul Walker incident, "original tires" would be a deterrent (on older vehicles).

Manga_Spawn

Honestly keeping the original tires would be like keeping the oil from the first oil change or the brake pads from the first break job. Unless you have a way to keep them in an environment where they will not deteriorate further (this may be impossible I don't know) it doesn't make sense to keep them. Up to you though since you'll be the one tripping over a 12 year old set of tires.

stock06

Hello,
Yes, I also would recommend replacing them as soon as possible. I understand the sentiment in keeping them if you have the facility. Personally I don’t drive many miles a year and prefer best rated summer performance tires.

Chuck S

Tires can "age out" before they wear out. Especially common with recreational trailer tires which get few miles a year and where the safety conscious consensus is to replace them every 4 or 5 years regardless of mileage. No automobile consensus but 6 to 10 years seems to be a common recommendation. But if you're using TW200 tires you'll be replacing then every two years regardless.

Tire aging: 6 years? 10 years?

-- Chuck

Car Analogy

Original tires is actually a thing in collector car circles. Not that I revolve in that circle, I'm all about enjoying using something special,not looking at it. So for such a low mile, presumably prestine car, assuming you will keep it that way, and assuming you want to retain as much collector car value as possible, definitely keep them. Store them in sealed bags that protect from damaging light. Air tight bags would be ideal.

From that standpoint, its worth replacing the tires just to keep the originals fresher for value, regardless of the fact that you need to do it for basic safety.

Tire have essential oils that permeate the rubber. This oil evaporates from the outer surfaces exposed to the atmosphere. As you drive, centripetal force from rotating tire presses new oils to the surface, refreshing the thread rubber, keeping it pliable.

So low miles can age a tire even quick than time alone. As these oils evaporate and aren't replenished, it accelerates the aging process, the hardening of the rubber. So a tire damaged from low miles can't simply be brought back to life by driving on it.

Tires are a use it or lose it technology.

rpg51

But, if you plan to dkrive the car and put miles on it, the "collector value" will disappear rapidly, and in that case it is pointless to keep the old oem tires.

Manga_Spawn

Period correct tires is a thing as is maybe having the same make and model of tire that the car originally came with. But original tires? It seems nearly impossible especially considering the age of some of these cars. Maybe for a barn find or something it shows that the car hasn't been restored but you wouldn't just air up the old rotted tires and drive the thing. I can understand wanting all original body panels, trim etc but a wear item like a tire seems unrealistic.

GuthNW

This is pretty much what my thought process was when I responded to the thread over in the Introductions section.

S2K75

Thank you all, will be buying tires for sure.