Am I Crazy to Replace These Tires?

[kam327]

I have never had a set of tires on the vehicle from the factory last more than 30K or 3 years. So, it is possible that they got replaced because of issues (bad wear pattern, etc.). As an example: the BFG Rugged Trails on my vehicle from the factory only lasted 3 years (tread was at 4/32) before I put something a little more suited for snow and dirt roads on.

That's good to know, thanks. But it hasn't been my experience. The Continentals on my wife's Taurus still looked new after 3 1/2 years and 40,000 miles. And my neighbor still has the original Continentals on his Expedition. It's an '04 with 55k miles. The have about the same amount of cracking as mine but tread still looks very good.

From what I've read on the internet, tires can go 6+ years if they're well taken care of. So again, the age of these tires is the least of my concerns.

 

[Flag Gibby]

I don't go off of age. I look at the things that you are concerned about like sidewall damage and cracking in the tread, plus how stable the vehicle drives in the conditions that I drive in. I get very large swings in the type of conditions that I drive in so having the vehicle respond the way I expect it to when I need it to is the outmost importance to me.
Also, you have to remember that your explorer is a heavy vehicle (almost 5K lbs.?) and is harder on passenger style tires than a much lighter vehicle such as the taurus you mentioned so you will not get as many miles out of a comparable tire.

 

[OffTrac]

From what I've read on the internet, tires can go 6+ years if they're well taken care of.

Would you say these tires have been well taken care of? Don't lie to yourself if they haven't just to save a few bucks. Imagine your agony if, God forbid, something happened because of a tire failure and you have this thread to remind you that you started it because at least in the back of your mind you questioned the safety of these tires. Don't leave your family's safety up to the opinions and anecdotal evidence from a bunch of internet mechanics. JMO

 

[2TimingTom]

From what I've read on the internet, tires can go 6+ years if they're well taken care of. So again, the age of these tires is the least of my concerns.

Swing by a tire shop and have them look at the tires.

Sure tires CAN for 6+ years, but not every tire will. Yours appear to be a set that probably shouldn't be pushed to that 6 year mark.

 

[kam327]

Also, you have to remember that your explorer is a heavy vehicle (almost 5K lbs.?) and is harder on passenger style tires than a much lighter vehicle such as the taurus you mentioned so you will not get as many miles out of a comparable tire.

That's taken care of by the increased load index. Taurus tires were 96 (1565 lbs), Explorer tires are 104 (1984 lbs), an increase of almost 1,700 lbs.

 

[Flag Gibby]

That's taken care of by the increased load index. Taurus tires were 96 (1565 lbs), Explorer tires are 104 (1984 lbs), an increase of almost 1,700 lbs.

Yes, but the construction is still a passenger style construction and the sidewall allows a lot of flex/roll which gives the vehicle a softer ride feel but is hard on tires because of the vehicle weight especially if you have a tendency to accelerate through corners or make sharp turns.
Also, I have run the 104 rated tire and now am running a 105 rated tire and the vehicle just responds so much better with the 105 load rating. I really think that they should have went with a 105 from the factory, but I am sure they wanted the softer ride afforded by the 104 load rating since it would appeal to the larger customer base.
I understand that spending money on a new set of tires is difficult when the ones on the vehicle still have a fair amount of tread left on them. I am just giving you my angle (opinion) on the things you need to consider and clearly you are receptive on what is being said here. Bottom line, don't be afraid to put new tires on if you feel that they are no longer safe on the vehicle. Best of luck on whatever you decide to do.

Edit: I checked my tires and I am actually running a 107 load rated tire and not a 105; bottom line I still feel that they needed a higher load rated tire from the factory.

 

[kam327]

I understand that spending money on a new set of tires is difficult when the ones on the vehicle still have a fair amount of tread left on them. I am just giving you my angle (opinion) on the things you need to consider and clearly you are receptive on what is being said here. Bottom line, don't be afraid to put new tires on if you feel that they are no longer safe on the vehicle. Best of luck on whatever you decide to do.

Hey man, I totally appreciate your input (and everyone else's) and I hear everything you're saying. I don't have a problem spending money on tires if they're shot, I was just hoping for a healthy debate on what exactly constitutes a "shot" tire, which I got. I want to make sure I'm using up the useful working life of these tires - but I guess I'll never get a solid majority opinion on that.

Bottom line is, I want new tires for cosmetic reasons but I have too much time on my hands right now (slow at work) and end up second guessing myself on whether I'm just pissing money away.

 

[Flag Gibby]

You are never "pissing money away" if you sleep easier because of the investment.

 

[blueoval9erlifer]

I always try to time my new tire purchase to benefit me the most. In Kansas if my tires are getting worn to the point im worried i try and get new ones in october so i have brand new tires going into the winter. If in Florida, i would try to time my new tires to the rainiest time of the year. And I replace them when i feel like it is no longer going to be safe for my wife and kids to be in it at 70+mph, not after its not safe. Maybe you need to find an honest tire shop and see what they tell you. Usually best to talk to an independent smaller shop, from my experience. The smaller the town the more honest everyone seems to be, since word of mouth of dishonesty can kill their business.

 

[kam327]

Ahhh, enough thinking about it too hard kam! I'm dropping it off at Firestone tomorrow. I'll post pics of the new Destination LE2's when available. Thanks all!

 

[2TimingTom]

Good boy.

 

[2TimingTom]

And you could also keep the old tires and sell them on craigslist for $50 or so. Otherwise you'll probably pay Firestone $5/each to have them dispose of them.

 

[kam327]

And you could also keep the old tires and sell them on craigslist for $50 or so. Otherwise you'll probably pay Firestone $5/each to have them dispose of them.

Already got 'em listed!

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

I had michelin hydroedge with more miles, and had alot more cracks than your tires. They were cracking in the tread, sidewalls, etc. I asked firestone, local ford dealership about them. Nobody said they were that bad. I read on the internet that I am not the only person who has the issue with these tires. I had like 70k-75k on them with like 7/32 left on them. I also had some chunks missing as well (divets) in the tires.
I drove every day 140 miles and never had any issues. I dont have these tires/car anymore, but I was going to replace them before winter due to the tire tread. I replace tires with 6/32 or 7/32 due to Wisconsin winters.

I'd have somebody (or a couple places) look at them.

 

[BadThad]

The biggest concern is with the sidewall. My tire guy goes nutz when he sees a chunk out like that. The sidewalls take a lot of stress and can blow out.

 

[kam327]

In case anyone's interested, here's how the LE2s look on our 18s.

 

[Ornery]

Man, those are purdy! You probably got your money's worth in aesthetics alone! Being my wife's vehicle, I probably would have erred on the safe side, but had it been mine, I'd side with Ed:

Funny, I ran some tires until the 2nd steel belt was showing. One night someone said to me, "Hey, what are those sparks coming off your tire?"

My hero, I now think of him as "Sparky"

 

[blueoval9erlifer]

I put the le2's on my vehicle on black friday and they have been great in the little bit of snow and rain we have seen so far. I would recommend them to anyone.

 

[thebrakeman]

My only concern is that missing rubber in the sidewall. But it looks like it's only a thin layer missing. Until that area starts to bulge, I'd keep running them. If you decide to take a long trip, just be sure the spare is in good shape.

 

[GRNMACHINE]

kam,

curious, what did the Firestone dealer think of the cracks on the tires? My guess is if it came to a potential tire sale they would definitely be "bad/unsafe" tires in their estimate, knowing you were buying tires anyway, thinking they may be a little more honest in their assessment. And not bashing any service centers, they all have good ones and bad. Sadly, my limited experiences with them has not been good.