Thoughts on running 10 year old tires?

My 1990 Suburban came with 10 year old tires that have barely been used. What are your thoughts on running these into the ground or just biting the thousand dollar bullet and getting new tires? I do some off roading and worried rocks could do me in but I really don't know...

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Here's a vid of the Burban in action: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CGPD8r3DHsv/

Follow up question: If I do get new tires, do I really need to get 5 new ones so that my spare can match or would it be ok to use one of these 10 year old tires as my full size spare?

All depends on your useage. For off-road use, I'd use them all day long. Around town at lower speeds? Yep I'd still use them. During the winter if it's cold where you live I'd probably use them too even for freeway traffic around my city and normal everyday use. Here's what I wouldn't use them for. Long freeway speed drives in the late spring or summer where the pavement is hot and them tires are going to generate alot of heat that will have tendency to loosen the bonding that holds the tire together. Once you start getting those old tires hot, that's where the danger is going to come in.

As far as a spare, again, that all depends on your use of a spare. Do you use your spare in your rotation when you rotate tires? Do you just use a spare to get to a tire shop and get a repair made or buy a new tire? Are you buying the same size new tires? If buying the same size new tires, and just using them to get off the highway and to a tire store, then yep. I'd use them as spares.

Keep in mind, that's just my opinion and if it were me. Don't take it as I'm telling you what to do. You're going to be responsible for your own decision.

If you have a locker or limited slip, I would have all 5 the same so if you ever need the spare and drive on pavement, you don't do damage. I used to have a tire close to diameter and if had a flat, take good one off front and swap to the back, then put spare on the front and not use 4 wheel drive.

Just be thankful that they are 33's and not 37's or larger, lol. I've had decent luck with Kenati mud hawgs for a decent affordable mud tire if budget is an issue.

I would recommend getting the tires you want, you’ll be happier with them and safer. I had a set of 13 year old tires that had good tread, but I replaced them due to age and safety.

This was from the Paul Walker accident. Not that you would be driving 93mph on city streets, but tires do lose performance with age.

"Investigators determined the cause of the fatal solo-vehicle collision was unsafe speed for the roadway conditions," Los Angeles County Sheriff Commander Mike Parker said in a statement. Investigators also determined that a pair of 9-year-old tires contributed to the crash, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Coming from a guy who had 2 blowouts (on a trailer) in a period of 5 days on 2 year old tires, I'd do as HotRodPC said if it were me. It's not fun being on the side of the road changing a tire. That said, I'd keep the best 2 for spares if you're going to replace with the same size / type of tire. You never know when you might ruin a tire, and need one in a quick fix until you can find a good replacement or until you get paid again.

I sell tires at my work. Tires made before 2010 lasted longer. Nowadays most tires r getting pretty cracked in 5 years. Changes in tire compounds and uv rays r the problem. Heat and improper tire pressure also affect tire life.

Off road, use them until they are showing steel belts. On road, replace them suckers yesterday.

Im the tard that will run them till i feel unsafe. They dont look too aweful to me, id personally run them. Mud rovers are great tires too!! Had 33x12.5x15 on my burban and that hog went anywhere! Bought new and lasted amazing!

When. I worked at Firestone we wouldn't work on your 10 year old tires for liability reasons. On my own cars I use 7 years as the end of the road.Not necessarily they turned 7 today I better have new ones tonight, but these are turning 7 better start planning on new ones.

I have one tire from the early 90s and three from the early 2000s. 3 styles. One from the 90s was found in the barn and put into use after I burst a front tire on ruts. A local shop installed it with no questions asked, they didn't even read the sidewall.

The truck is 95% used on gravel out in the boondocks. If I was driving highway and actually commuting, I'd replace them all immediately.

Are you sure they are only 10 years old? I thought those model tires were already long discounted 10 years ago.

With many tires, I wouldn't hesitate to run them even if 20 years old. But those Dunlops, I've seen several of those have separation issues back when they were newer. Imho, they should be ok if there's no extended interstate travel.

Giant Rock said:

My 1990 Suburban came with 10 year old tires that have barely been used. What are your thoughts on running these into the ground or just biting the thousand dollar bullet and getting new tires? I do some off roading and worried rocks could do me in but I really don't know...

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Here's a vid of the Burban in action: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CGPD8r3DHsv/

Click to expand...

I'd run the **** out of them and have run 10 year old tires plenty. Now I have limits. Would I run my family in them at 80mph down the interstate on family trips of let the wife drive it...NO. would I tow heavy, on the highway a long way from the house where flats or blowouts could be more than just an annoyance...NO. on a play truck that I off-road, hunt, dive a few times a week...yes, and I have done it before. I have daylied 10 year old tires.

Mine are dated '07 but the truck doesn't sit outdoors and the sidewalls look good. My driving is mostly local at speeds less than 45 mph so I'll run 'em a little longer.