alexb76

So, I just realized that I haven't changed tires for years, due to driving less than 5K km a year, plus two years of almost no driving during COVID. In addition, I use Winter tires from Oct-Mar... hence even less miles than typical, PLUS not even under weight of the car during those months!

Hence, my current summer tires that are Michelin Super sports are manufactured a decade ago. The fronts are late 2012/2013, and the rear is 2015. I believe I changed my rears once before my fronts were worn out, hence the discrepancy.

The car rides fine, handles ok, and tires have enough tread... BUT their age is at the 10yr mark that I guess I am supposed to change them.

Questions:
- Are they dangerous to drive around?
- Are they dangerous to track?
- If I have to change, can I just change the fronts, and leave rears for now?

Any other pointers would be appreciated.

Pilot Sport 4S

Rubber degrades overtime from exposure to UV and the ozone...Tires typically have a service life of no more than 10 years...as they age, they will become brittle and crack...losing their inherent properties....they may feel ok on a Sunday drive, but could now be compromised in terms of emergency braking or obstacle avoidance...I would start shopping to replace.

GoTime

100% dangerous to track. I’d swap all 4, it’s just not worth the risk, Michelin recommends swapping at ten years anyway.

EVOMMM

Honestly after 6 years old they are done as performance tire
for the street I use 7 is my limit because you drive a high performance machine
don’t take chances with your life or someone else’s

sierra73

I also had 7-year-old Michelins that were not done thread wise but timewise. I thought my tires were fine until they installed the new ones, they ride so much better way softer on the road. I bought mine at TireRack I believe they still have the mail in rebate on the Pilot Sports PS4's.

ATX_Native

When I bought my low mile 996 it came with 10 year old Pirellis.

They were hard as a rock and didn’t grip well, a set of new PSS tires transformed the car.

So even if you can, why?

workhurts

I don’t think they’re dangerous in the sense that they’ll explode if you’re going 60mph down the highway but any evasive maneuvers in conditions less than ideal and they’re definitely compromised.

Definitely no track.

Change all 4.

Optionman1

Get new tires and drive the car as it was designed to be driven!

Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 190K miles

https://www.michelinman.com/auto/aut...need-new-tires

I would wait a year or so. If you don't track the car or drive crazy on public streets, I would keep them for another year.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

DesmoSD

I remember the Michelin rep at the Tech Tactics recommending 4S tires be replaced at a minimum of 5 yrs regardless of tire wear and condition for optimal performance. It might be a stretch since environment and driving conditions can vary. This Tech Tactics was in SoCal where temperatures are near perfect too.

-For driving around, it's up to you but the caveat could be on where you're driving, how long and the environment.
-For the track, absolutely not.
-For mixing and matching, since it's RR, the rears should be replaced first.

BucketList

If you are not driving the car hard, you can get by but there may be another reason to replace them. I replaced my 6 year old front tires when the rears were due even though they had plenty of tread. The difference in ride was obvious. Softer over bumps and road grain, and more compliant. The wife approved. They also have way more grip to be sure. The car just felt smoother.

Petza914

7 years is the max and more like half that for tracking.

saxonite

I don't like driving on tires over 5 years old. If its a car that is only driven around town and not pushed more than 50% then maybe add a year or two but check the tire for cracks. If you're pushing the car on backroads or doing any autocross or track driving than 5 years is the max.

alexb76

Thanks guys, I did inspect all tires and they look pristine! Not that it matters too much, but at least there are no cracks.

I will definitely NOT track them, and now have the option of changing fronts to some old Super Sport stock (will change manufacturing date), and keep rears... or to change all four. Obviously best to change all four, but funds are tight now, due to tech slowdown and my layoff... so trying to squeeze as much as I can.

Kitc2246

You can measure the hardness of tires with a durometer. Durometers are relatively cheap from Amazon. If you have a regular tire shop you might call them to see if they have one and more importantly what are new and old hardness numbers. No idea what new and old hardness readings would be for PS4s. UV and environmental factors are what primarily deteriorate tires, so if they have been properly stored and show no visible cracks on the sidewall or between the threads I would not be afraid to drive them unless I felt the lose of grip. Your PSM quickly intervening or worse ABS on hard acceleration or braking indicate the tires are probably way too hard and need to be replaced.