185 x 13 tyres

[crapichris]

The tyres on my Capri are getting on for 8 years now. I only do a couple of thousand miles a year, haven't managed to wear them out and there is no cracking anywhere on the walls.

Question 1 - do I need to change them even though there is plenty of tread and appear in good order. See plenty of talk about life of tyres, fact or fiction ?

Question 2 - where can you get this size tyre these days. Any recommendation and approximate prices?

Finally I can't fit 205's as my large bore exhaust is already close to my existing 185's, and the steering is already heavy so no change of tyres please.

[Vista]

Question 1, it's fact unfortunately, the rubber hardens with age and exposure to UV isn't good for it either......though my tyres on my mk1 are some years older than yours and even though I know I should change them, I can't bring myself to for the limited miles they do.

 

Question 2, try online tyre sellers such as Camskill for 185/60/13's. Handy link below:

 

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m73b0s374p0/Car_Tyres_-_MPV_Tyres_-_People_Carrier_Tyres_-_13_inch_R13_inch_-_185_60_13_185_60R13

[DT36]

If your tyres are more than 5 years old, then really they should be replaced.  Not sure if this is relevant to an MOT though.

 

You should be able to identify the age of your tyres by the week and year, printed on the sidewall.

 

Where are you located with regards to purchasing tyres?

[Rally Pack 2000]

Tyres do go hard with age unfortunately. I have had to throw away some tyres that had near new tread on them due to the low miles they had done. But they just got plain dangerous. Sometimes you wont even notice given how rarely you drive the car then your out in the rain one day and suddenly realise something isnt right and the grip simply isnt there any more. If they are a good brand and European or Japanese made then I think its ok to go a couple of years past the date but if its Chinese then forget it. They will probably crack before the due date anyways. Simply put the Chinese cant make good rubber products. You cant even trust the elastic in your undies to last these days like they used too cause its all Chinese. I wonder if they make condoms?

[guido]

Got brandnew bridgestone 175/50/13 on my other projekt car, no mile done yet, waste of money