New Tires for Low-Mileage Saturn?

My elderly parents have a 1996 Saturn SL2 that has about 25,000 miles on it.
Three of the four tires are original. While the tread looks fine, I'm
wondering if the three 10-year-old tires need to be replaced. The research
I've done indicates that while tire manufacturers don't think that age is a
factor, many auto companies recommend replacement at about 5-6 years. What
do other Saturn owners recommend? Thank you for your help.

 

Are the tires weatherchecking on the sidewalls? If not, I would run them
and just keep a close eye on them.

Ken

 

What does "weatherchecking" mean, please?

 

In my own words, it will show up as a bunch of fine cracks on the sidewalls.
Here are a couple of links that go into the subject to a much greater depth.

http://www.samscars.com/sds6.html

http://www.yokohamatire.com/csstdtrkwar.asp

http://www.coopertire.com/us/en/information/info-glossary.asp

Many more on Google.

Ken

 

for safety sake for your parents I would replace the tires every 5
years max!! If they show sidewall rear I would replace them
immediately.. you wouldn't feel right if they had an accident because
of them.. would you now

 

Thanks very much for the links.

 

Yeah, I think I'm going to replace them, just for the peace of mind.

 

I ride a motorcycle, and won't ride any motorcycle with tires
over 3 years old--except maybe slowly and carefully to a shop to
have the tires replaced.

With age, the plasticizers evaporate out of the rubber, the
rubber gets harder, and the tires have less adhesion. Parking in
the sun speeds this process, as ultraviolet exposure facilitates
the evaporation of the plasticizers somehow.

Granted, this is much less of a factor with car tires than
motorcycle tires, but I'd probably replace any car tires that
were over five years old.

 

Thanks for your view. I looked at the tires carefully today and I could see
hairline cracks on the sidewall right where it meets the tread. I'm taking
the car in tomorrow for the new set.

 

What about tires with a warranty 6 years or longer? The first set of tires I
put on my SL1 had a 70,000 mile warranty and I only drive 10,000 a year.

ron herfurth

 

You're a good "kid" . Nice to see you are looking after the "old folks."
"

 

the federal saftey people say change tires that are more than 5 years
old.. period.
It has nothing to do with wear as much as it has to do with UV