rlh6805

I have a 2008 GT that has the original tires on it still. The car only has 25k miles. I am thinking it's time for new tires as these are pretty old and I want an upgrade. I am planning on installing the Ford Racing lowering springs:


What is a good tire size to go with? I have the factory 18" wheels.

The ones on it now are 235/ZR50/18

cruisin5268d

If your tires are original then they are not safe for driving at this age. I would get rid of them as soon as you can, regardless of remaining tread.

6 years is the max - and yours are past that point.

roegs

6 years is the conservative end of the range. Depending on who you ask the recommended replacement age is from 6 to 10 years.

cruisin5268d

I'm sorry, but your information is inaccurate. The rate of failure increases drastically around 6 years. You simply cannot beat the clock and factors such as oxidation and degradation of rubber compounds. Some environmental factors speed this process up further.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4822250&page=1

http://www.safetyresearch.net/tire-safety

The rest of the world (outside of America) say tires older than 6 years should only be used in emergency situations. Even U.S. automakers have been recommending federal safety changes.

Tires are one of the most important safety features of your vehicle. This is not where you want to cut corners.

Norm Peterson

<shrug>


from that safetyresearch.net link . . . and FWIW the British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA) represents the same tire manufacturers in the U.S. market

and it also mentions a pretty strong link between tire involvement in accidents and hot climates (underlining theirs, boldface mine).
That said, I wouldn't put tires with a 2008 or possibly 2007 date code in unrestricted service either. I've taken one set of tires out of service already this year, and replacements for the Mustang's "3-season" tires (being a replacement set themselves) went on order earlier this week.


This matter of tire aging can in some situations work against the appeal of big UTQG treadwear numbers and warranted tread life. Something to keep in mind if you have any cars that are driven only a few thousand miles a year, where you would be encouraged to replace them even though half their usable tread might still remain . . . at 5000 miles/year it would be foolish to consider 60,000 mile tires for any reason involving tread life.


Norm

rlh6805

OMG!!! No kidding guys. The reason I am asking about a good tire size to go with the lowering springs is because I'M GOING TO GET NEW TIRES!!!!

I don't mind going with staggered as the car doesn't get driven that much.

Tire Rack says for the same size all around to go with 255/45-18

For staggered: Ft: 255/45-18; Rr: 285/40-18

BWfVA

I have to say you all took it way off topic.

He is just looking for recomendations on tires. I personally cant recomend any but go to a reputable company like AM or Tirerack and they have guarentteed fitments

cruisin5268d

Yes, my post did get a little off topic but this situation can be classified as a "teachable moment." The OP is driving a ticking timebomb and it is important for people to realize the dangers involved with the use old tires.

bl817

For those of you that don't know how to tell how old your tires are, there is a 4 digit number on the side wall. ex. (3412) that would mean the tire was made in the 34th week of 2012.