2003 original tires 16k miles-replace? spare too?

[mitch28]

My 2003 XLT has 16K miles and original tires which show no cracking etc.
Time to replace? I believe the tire date code is 4302. What about the spare tire, it is on a steel rim so would not be in any tire rotation. Thanks!

Mitch

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

You have an almost ten year old Explorer with 16,000 miles on it? That is pretty amazing. It looks like to post on here almost as much as you drive it!

The tires are certainly old, and it would not hurt to replace them as a "maintenance" item...but if there are no issues forcing you to do so and no dry-rot, I would feel safe running them awhile longer. The money would probably be better spent on things like filters and fluids being replaced.

 

[mitch28]

Marco?

 

[01STrunner]

Tires are kinda funny in that they can fail even if there is no evidence of dry rot, etc. We've had enough trouble with trailer tires I wouldn't take the risk of running that old of a tire. The date stamp says they were made late 02 and 10 years is a long time for tires to last. Of course the speeds you drive and whether it was in a garage can lengthen that time period.

 

[mitch28]

I am replacing them thanks will keep the original spare it will only need to last a few miles if needed! LOL

 

[01STrunner]

Sounds like a plan

 

[03explorerL]

That's amazing that you have such few miles. Good for you man.