Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

I recently purchased a set of tires online from tires-easy.com  for my 1972 Corvette. I noticed after the tires were installed that date codes were 0304 ,0304 ,3706 and 1706. I never knew you needed to check. Anyway,  I believe this decodes to a manufacture date of 2004 and 2006. 5 and 7 year old tires? Do you think these are safe. I  attached a link


http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=26047722.135.26162&typ=R-110557&ranzahl=4&Breite=225&Herst=Firestone&Quer=70&Felge=15&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=15&sort_by=speed&Transport=P&dsco=135  

Recent bulletins from the tire industry indicate that tires degrade simply due to time.  The age of a tire is important even if the tire is unused.  There is some disagreement over how to best express this age limitation, but my take is:

If you live in a hot climate (AZ, CA, NV, TX, and FL) then the limit is six years.  If you live in a cold climate (MN, ND, WI, MT, etc), then the limit is 10 years.  States in between are  ..... ah ........ in between.  

Does a tires age have a direct relationship to its "safety"? Good question, the answer to which has been danced around for years.  Maybe its best to let common sense rule.  Age affects everything, you, me, the food we eat and of course, tires.  When is old too old?  As of yet the USDOT has not mandated the removal of tires based solely on their age. A point to ponder however, when tire compaines offer 60K, 70K, 80K and greater mileage warranties what statement is that making?  If the average consumer drives 15K per year than in the case of a 60K tire are they infact saying that the intent of this tire is to remain on the road at least 4 years.  Goodyear produced a tire named "Infinitred" in the late 90's that offered unlimited mileage.  What statement was that making regarding that products expected safe life span?