Oppopinion needed - To replace the tires or not? [updated]

"Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo" (akioohtori)
12/18/2019 at 13:32 • Filed to: Disco Inferno

UPDATE : Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine I ordered them. You all made good points. I almost always buy new tires when I buy a new car but didn’t with the Discovery (I wasn’t keeping it, right?) so I guess I was on borrowed time.

As is now apparently our tradition, we’re setting off in about a week and a half for an New Years overlanding adventure. This year we’re going back to New Mexico, this time with all three offroaders (last time we went I opted to drive the Volvo instead), which is about 725 miles one-way, probably about 2000 miles total.

The tires on the Disco... aren’t great.

They aren’t bad, but I had them up for replacement early to mid next year. The tread is fine, 7/32 on the mounted tires and 5/32 on the spare (which is weird but OK), but they’re beginning to show a little dry rot around the radius. About like this (I don’t have any actual pictures because reasons)

Not my tires, but pretty close to the rot I’m looking at.

Also the outside edge of the tread looks... wrong. Almost lightly grated? I assume from a lot of trail driving with deflated tires? Looks like this but without the cracking between the treads.

Again, not my tires.

Tires came with the car but are relatively new. No older than 5 years anyway.

New tires are going to run about $850 (delivered, taxed, mounted) all in for five. Not ideal timing with Xmas coming up. Also still haven’t started the new gig so.... heh.

Partner made a good observation: If I replace the tires right after I get back, then I’ll regret not having them on the trip. (I’d plan on putting it off until April, but I see his point)

What does Oppo think? Replace? Wait?

DISCUSSION (23)

slipperysallylikespenguins > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:37

I would vote for waiting. I’ve used tires with far worse side rot then that for years. However I do not know how that mi ght be affected by the strenuous activities of off-roading.

HammerheadFistpunch > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:37

im in the same boat with the Hankooks on the GX. They aren’t looking good at all for dry rot but they aren’t that old and have plenty of tread. Wish I could help, but I can’t make up my own mind. That being said, the misses said she didn’t care if the tires I bought to replace them are bigger than stock (she wants them replaced because they stink in the snow). So...maybe new tires?

DirtyDodge > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:38

I would bite the bullet and get the tires before the trip, having tires in the best poasible condition is just going to be one less thing to worry about on your trip, plus they should have a warranty so if skmething should happen with one you should be covered.

jminer > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:39

I would personally lean towards replacing them later and limping through the trip with them. But them my partner would tell me the same thing as yours. ‘Don’t be stupid and r eplace them now and don’t worry about it’.

I’d ultimately replace them - with the tires looking that sketch it’d be cheaper and easier to fix it before than to deal with a failure (or worse and accident caused by them) on the trip.

Then when I got back and commented that the tires did great she would say ‘now aren’t you glad you listened to me?’ and I would be...

M.T. Blake > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:40

I always err on the side of caution with tires. It’s the only thing touching the ground. If you plan to keep it around, I’d replace the tires.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:42

Hands down: replace. Now. Be sure to have the alignment checked/adjusted.

You’ll enjoy how they ride and enjoy the piece of mind on your trip. I concur with your partner.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
12/18/2019 at 13:52

Yeah alignment is needed for sure and is on the list.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:56

I’ve had a tire fail in the middle of a trip. It wasn’t fun.

Nothing > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 13:58

Are you sure on the date by the date code on the tires, or just going off what the PO told you?

I had a lot of dry rot on 3 year old tires on the Tacoma and replaced those. I tend to err on the side of overcautious and would replace them.

facw > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 14:10

Those pictures look like every set of Michelins that isn’t brand new to me. Personally I’d keep an eye on them but I wouldn’t be freaked about imminent failure. Obviously up to you to decide how to balance safety/reliability/cheapness.

shop-teacher > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 14:16

That kind of dry rot can get way worse way quickly. The front tires on my old Roadmaster went from that to totally FUBAR’d quicker than you can say, “Pepper needs new shorts!”

You’re asking for a highway blowout if you leave them on. Plus, you’ll enjoy the trip more with new tires. Might as well buy them now, than arbitrarily waiting 4 months to buy them.

Mercedes Streeter > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 14:20

Would I drive on tires with that amount of cracking? Sure. Been there, done that. They survived the remainder of the tread life.

Would I drive 2000 miles in one trip on said tires? Only if I had at least two good spares with me.

If I were in your shoes, I’d probably just get a set of lightly worn tires off Facebook. I’ve done so a number of times and only once did it not work out (bought muds that clearly have been poked many times on the shoulder by rocks).

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 15:35

I like the decision to replace now, it'd be a shame if an Oppo ends up in one of Urambo's weekly JRitS posts.

Stef Schrader > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 15:51

I see your update, but uhhhhh heck yes. Cracks in the sidewall/dry rot is a big no-no. You don’t want to 90s Ford Exploder yourself.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 16:45

“ UPDATE : Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine I ordered them.”

NOOOOO... you must wait... because environment or something!!!!!

/jk

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > shop-teacher
12/18/2019 at 16:54

“ The front tires on my old Roadmaster went from that to totally FUBAR’d quicker than you can say, “Pepper needs new shorts!””

Kinja'd!!!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
12/18/2019 at 17:11

The environment ... of my wallet.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > gin-san - shitpost specialist
12/18/2019 at 17:12

I’m surprised we haven’t already, tbh. Something about the cobbler’s children and shoes...

DirtyDodge > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 18:15

Oh i understand the pain of truck and suv tire purchases...

MM54 > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 19:23

If it were a street car I’d say you could probably put it off until spring, but for the rigors (especially on the sidewalls) of off-roading, probably the right call to order new ones.

As worried as those pictures have some people on here, it’s a good thing I never posted pictures of the firehawks on my crown vic when I finally took them off... I’d still be paying for the hospital bill for the majority of Oppo having a stroke.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 23:27

replacing seems like the much smarter idea. If it was offoading around town, I’d say you could be fine, but hours of sustained highway driving? sounds like an accident waiting to happen

thatsmr > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
12/18/2019 at 23:47

Buy ANY new tires. Ironman, Bravus, Primewell, whatever they may be. New crummy tires will give you many safe noisy miles vs burnt old skins

Dan the tire man > shop-teacher
12/20/2019 at 12:13

Hi I read your story and being a tire guy in the used tire business your tires would prob 95 percent sure would serve your p urpose I've seen alot worse never blow out and with the cooler winter temps and being smooth freeway miles your tires are fine I would check them once in a while the pressure all the same and I would run them right at 35-34 not any more.dont get me wrong new is nice and would be more comfy of a feeling but new tires go bad as well.thats my opinion keep your money for your trip.thx Dan Bussler,Spokane,Washington