Tire age and identification of this bias ply tire.

[fedoragent]

Folks,

I'm trying to establish the age of my tire, and can't quite understand these markings as ... well I'm used to radials. Any help would be good because I don't see a DOT rating.

Thanks,

FG.

[Plymouthy Adams]

put it in a chair in a dark room, place a birght light suspended directly overhead..walk about it menancingly with say, sharp knife or ice pick..carelessly pointing these object at it randomly..in it does squeal then it proply well past its useful purpose..

I have no clue...!!!

[JBNeal]

According to NHTSA, tires manufactured since 1JAN68 were required to have the DOT code; them markings more than likely are the manufacturer's serial number.

[greg g]

The P metric size identification system was introduced in 1976. Some inch numeric tires were probably made after that but not for many years. since this is not a reproduction tire manufactured recently to reprouce a numeric series tire (most are not 6 ply) My guess would be this is a pre 76 light truck tire. Most cars uses 13, 14, nad 15 inch rims till the recent proliferation of skateboard wheel and tire combos.

Since the tire pictured is a 16 inch 6 ply, my guess is that its a 30 + year old truck tire.

also the UTQG (uiform tire quality grade) system was intorduced in the late 80's so being without those treadwear, traction, and temperature guides supports this being a tire aged beyond its usefull life.

[BobT-47P15]

It looks like an oldie (and maybe not a goodie) from here.

6 ply was a heavier, tougher tire normally used for trucks.

They might last longer on a car with "normal" use....probably

the thinking of the previous owner. Or, he got some used ones

cheap.

Even if it has a lot of tread left, about all it's good for is a

tire for rolling something around the shop while being worked

on. I don't think I would do much driving with it.

[fedoragent]

put it in a chair in a dark room, place a birght light suspended directly overhead..walk about it menancingly with say, sharp knife or ice pick..carelessly pointing these object at it randomly..in it does squeal then it proply well past its useful purpose..

I have no clue...!!!

Tim,

Your sarcasm amuses and entertains. Thank you. Honestly I wanted to figure out how old they were. The tire shops I've taken them to say they are just fine and look like newer tires from Mexico. My wife's safety is important...so I have to consider all facets of info.

FG.

[BobT-47P15]

Hmmm.......hadn't thought about that tire being from somewhere else.

The tire store people could possibly be right, then.

Are you considering using them on your Plymouth?

[TodFitch]

Tim,

Your sarcasm amuses and entertains. Thank you. Honestly I wanted to figure out how old they were. The tire shops I've taken them to say they are just fine and look like newer tires from Mexico. My wife's safety is important...so I have to consider all facets of info.

FG.

If you look for lists of manufacturing plant codes you will see hundreds listed that seem very unlikely to ever have made tires for import to the US. And the tire code is basically just a manufacturing plant code and a date code. So if the plant has a code it seems likely they would use they normal format.

So based on that I was under the impression that while the NHTSB tire codes may have originated here they are now used world wide. So even if the tire was made in another country for local use it would seem to be a good bet that they would have a code on them.

The VIN number format that is used here has been made into an international standard and is, I believe, used by all auto manufacturers around the world too.

[dezeldoc]

I would run a nasty ol rag tire and trust it before any radial made today! i have had many radials just up and explode and blow the tread off just sitting in the yard, never had that happen with a rag tire, heck i have tires that are shredded and still hold air i use for rollers. all my trailers i went back to rags as i got tired of the radials coming apart, and radial trailer tires aren't cheap!

[busycoupe]

This thread got me to go out to the garage to check the age of the tires on my car. They are "Commander" polyester bias ply, H78-15. The DOT code ends in 09-4. I guess that means they were made in either 1974 or 1984! I think that it is time for new tires!

[old stovebolt]

Here is what NHTSA has to say about Tire in service use:

TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC

SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT

OF TRANSPORTATION

PART 570--VEHICLE IN USE INSPECTION STANDARDS--Table of Contents

Subpart A--Vehicles With GVWR of 10,000 Pounds or Less

Sec. 570.9 Tires.

(a) Tread depth. The tread on each tire shall be not less than two thirty-seconds of an inch deep.

(1) Inspection procedure. Passenger car tires have tread depth

indicators that become exposed when tread depth is less than two thirty-seconds of an inch. Inspect for indicators in any two adjacent major grooves at three locations spaced approximately equally around the outside of the tire. For vehicles other than passenger cars, it may be necessary to measure tread depth with a tread gauge.

( Type. Vehicle shall be equipped with tires on the same axle that are matched in tire size designation, construction, and profile.

(1) Inspection procedures. Examine visually. A major mismatch in tire size designation, construction, and profile between tires on the same axle, or a major deviation from the size as recommended by the manufacturer (e.g., as indicated on the glove box placard on 1968 and later passenger cars) are causes for rejection.

© General condition. Tires shall be free from chunking, bumps, knots, or bulges evidencing cord, ply, or tread separation from the casing or other adjacent materials.

(1) Inspection procedure. Examine visually for conditions indicated.

(d) Damage. Tire cords or belting materials shall not be exposed, either to the naked eye or when cuts or abrasions on the tire are probed.

(1) Inspection procedures. Examine visually for conditions

indicated, using a blunt instrument if necessary to probe cuts or

abrasions.

------

Also, in accordance with the related FMVSS the tire should have a date stamp (3 or 4 digits), list the manufacture, size, origin of country, etc.

Most tire "experts" agree the service life of a tire should not exceed 6 years

no matter what shape the tire is in.

If it were me, I would not use the tire on a roadway.

[old stovebolt]

This thread got me to go out to the garage to check the age of the tires on my car. They are "Commander" polyester bias ply, H78-15. The DOT code ends in 09-4. I guess that means they were made in either 1974 or 1984! I think that it is time for new tires!

or 1994.

[Greenbomb]

Remember when a tire was a good one if it held air and bad if it didn't? Sigh- Things were alot easier back then. Of course we were all ten feet tall and bulletproof, too!!!

[TodFitch]

or 1994.

Yes. The two digit year code only started in 2000. I guess they never figured that anyone would have a ten year old tire on a vehicle back then. And maybe now they figure that no one will have a 100 year old tire on a car.

[old stovebolt]

Many years back, I had an old set of tires on my old non-Plymouth

vehicle. The tread depths were great and, as always garaged, the tires

looked perfect. Unfortunatley, the tires were at least 15 years old. For any of

you who know Pasadena, CA, I was driving the non-Plymouth, with the

old tires, on the 110 "death" Freeway, when the left rear inner sidewall

blew out. That was an E ticket ride.

[mackster]

i still say dont do it!

[JBNeal]

tire manufacturers nowadays recommend replacing tires, regardless of physical appearance, after 7 years to be on the safe side. The rubber compounds start to break down and the construction integrity drastically degrades.

If the tire age is unknown, I strongly recommend using that tire on a trailer that you won't be using over long distances or maybe just make a swing out in the front yard. Cheap tires can lead to unnecessary excitement, so I recommend investing in some quality brand name tires. Brakes, tires & filters are the three things that a good investment will pay long term dividends.

[fedoragent]

Folks,

After careful examination and having three tire shops look at the tires...the markings indicate that they were made within the last couple of years.

All much ado about nothing. The bias plys are basically new just as they looked.

And so therefore, they are being mounted and balanced on the newly powder coated 16" wheels I have. The Lyon Whitewalls and hub caps will be put on tomorrow as well. This will be my only second time driving on bias plys. For extra added safety, as suggested by HAMBers we are using RADIAL inner tubes on the inside of the bias plys.

I'm VERY excited and will still be keeping my other oversized radials as spares. Thanks for the advice everyone. If I don't like these tires, nothing lost...as I will just goto 205/75R16 just as another wise soul on this board did.

Cheers,

FG.

PS...I'm sure right now 47Heaven is cursing me thinking I'm going to die because I didn't go with radials. So be it. But I will be driving carefully, not far and within good common sense.

[Frank Elder]

Make sure you powder the tubes so they don't chafe.

[BobT-47P15]

The rims sure look nice, Jon.

[T120]

..Looking forward to seeing a photo when the tires and rims are on your car

[fedoragent]

..Looking forward to seeing a photo when the tires and rims are on your car

Posting now.

FG.

[TodFitch]

Good looking wheels. They will look sharp.

...snip... For extra added safety, as suggested by HAMBers we are using RADIAL inner tubes on the inside of the bias plys. ...

What makes a radial tube different from a non-radial tube?

Different thickness material?

Different stretch?

Different temperature range?

I did a quick Internet search and did not turn up anything that seemed meaningful.

Just wondering.

[greg g]

Todd radial tubes are built to conform to the rounder sidewalls of a radial. Plus I believe they are thicker in the sidewall areas to resist the chaffing that may result from the flexing of the sidewalls.

We used to put cornstarch on the tubes as we mounted tires for a bit more chafing insurance.

[Powerhouse]

What brand are the tires?