Are my tyres safe?

[osbourne one-nil]

I took my summer tyres out of storage yesterday as I might get them swapped over shortly, but was surprised to see cracking deep in the tread of two of them.

They're Bridgestone Turanza and have done perhaps 5000 miles and were new last May. Are they even safe? I'm guessing not.

They've been stored in my workshop which is basically a dry former stable. They were stored on their side stacked in two piles of two.

Any advice gratefully received.

[crashbarrier]

I'm going to say that they would be fine. The outer rubber coating doesn't really add much strength to the tyre as it's all about the plies below. As long as you can't see any of the metal ply below it should be fine.
Certainly, that's the case for my work vehicle which is a darn sight heavier and way faster than any Volvo or other car out there. Plus, harking back to my Police days I wouldn't be bothered about that unless the tyres were old, which you've said they are not.

[XC90Mk1]

I think you will find that is extremly normal and of no concern.

Fit them, then send image to manufacture.

Alll my tyres have light cracks like that and I use Michelin’s.

Are you covering your tyres with correct tyre bags? If not get some for future.

[Laird Scooby]

I would check the date-code on the sidewall of the tyre if i were you.



First two digits are the week number, second two digits are the year. You may find the tyres are older than you think!

Also i don't know if it's the camera angle but the treadwear indicator appears to be fairly close to the tread so how much life is realistically in these tyres? You may be better biting the bullet and just renewing them.

[osbourne one-nil]

Thanks - they say 0119 so yes, older than I thought but I suspect perfectly acceptable in age-terms? As for the tread...I think it was just the angle!

I've not stored them in bags as I've always figured if they're quite happy outside on the car, why cosset them in storage but I'll certainly look into it!

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by osbourne one-nil

Thanks - they say 0119 so yes, older than I thought but I suspect perfectly acceptable in age-terms? As for the tread...I think it was just the angle!

I've not stored them in bags as I've always figured if they're quite happy outside on the car, why cosset them in storage but I'll certainly look into it!

At just over 2 years old from when they were made, i wouldn't expect them to be cracking, even if it's just surface cracking. Take them back to where you got them, they're still covered by Bridgestones 5 year warranty so if it is, as i suspect, a manufacturing problem, you're likely to get a decent (maybe full) refund.

https://www.oponeo.co.uk/blog/tyre-w...-manufacturers

The slight drawback is that usually you have to pay for new tyres to be fitted first and then the old ones are sent to the manufacturer who then decide whether to pay out or not - usually they do, sometimes just as a goodwill gesture so you should be lucky.

PS - i know of at least one member on here that swears by Bridgestone and would be surprised to see the problems you've got.

[XC90Mk1]

Originally Posted by osbourne one-nil

Thanks - they say 0119 so yes, older than I thought but I suspect perfectly acceptable in age-terms? As for the tread...I think it was just the angle!

I've not stored them in bags as I've always figured if they're quite happy outside on the car, why cosset them in storage but I'll certainly look into it!

UV and ambient light/air all damage the rubber, that’s how it ages. When the tyres move the elastomers etc flex. That’s why a car run for 6 years on the same tyres has no issues, but tyres left for 6 years without moving will be so perished they can’t be used.

You should store them in bags ideally to stop sunlight getting to them.

It’s hard to explain but if you google it you will readily see that not having the tyres moving means they will age very badly very quickly.

[osbourne one-nil]

I'll definitely look into the bags as I can't live up here without putting winter tyres on, even if only for the cold and wet most winters. However, these tyres have been stored in the dark so that leaves air. What you say about the properties of tyres does make perfect sense, although these came off in late October.

I'll do as Dave suggests (thanks) and go back to my local fitter who ordered the tyres on my behalf. I'll see what they say.

[Steve XC60]

Afraid I am absolutely not going to say whether your tyres are safe or not, but going purely on the pictures, those do not look like the type of cracks that would concern me. Nevertheless, I would put them on and then take them back to where you had them fitted and get a proper view.

2019 is not old for tyres. This is a car on the selekt website, and if I look closely at the fifth picture, I think the tyre is 4915 (ie week 49 of 2015).
https://selekt.volvocars.co.uk/en/us...nsor-u7cdbxb9?

Do let us know how you get on.

[Steve XC60]

I use these bags:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/HEYNER-H735..._t1_B0085XJD16
Even though they are stored in a dark garage.