05-04-2019, 09:30 PM
It is a fraught topic. Here tyres are subject to very cose scrutiny at 6 mth or annually. Any cracking rejected.
Extended to cars very expensive for many and would ruin the old car hobby. Some Sevens here would have tyres 50 years old!
A newish tyre been run at low pressure and speed, or hit a curb, is more dangerous than an old one. A simple puncture can be very dangerous, esp with tubes. in post war cars I have and do drive extensively on very old tyres, but seldom over 100kph. I have had belt distortions but seemed related to tyre brand and model and mileage and not just age. Some claim the hard rubber loses grip but in normal motoring not apparent.
Problem is distinguishing vehicle use. A Seven or Model A which never exceeds and seldom attains 45 mph and with small section tyres is not at great risk. I drove mine for a mile or so at speed with flat rear tyre of stiff old style and was not apparent until turned!
Extended to cars very expensive for many and would ruin the old car hobby. Some Sevens here would have tyres 50 years old!
A newish tyre been run at low pressure and speed, or hit a curb, is more dangerous than an old one. A simple puncture can be very dangerous, esp with tubes. in post war cars I have and do drive extensively on very old tyres, but seldom over 100kph. I have had belt distortions but seemed related to tyre brand and model and mileage and not just age. Some claim the hard rubber loses grip but in normal motoring not apparent.
Problem is distinguishing vehicle use. A Seven or Model A which never exceeds and seldom attains 45 mph and with small section tyres is not at great risk. I drove mine for a mile or so at speed with flat rear tyre of stiff old style and was not apparent until turned!