Cracking Tire

My left rear tire is showing some cracking around the edge of the tread. My front two tires were replaced about 10k ago in 2006. These tires are fine. My right rear was replaced late 2006 right before I bought the car. This left rear tire was manufactured in the 33rd week of 2001 (as far as I can tell from the dot code) and has plenty of tread left but has some cracking. If you could take a look and let me know if this is serious or anything. I drive mostly on the interstate going 65-75 for 25 miles if that matters.

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http://home.comcast.net/~jensenfc/IMG_7613.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~jensenfc/IMG_7614.JPG

Thanks!

From my experience any tire over 5 years old the rubber starts to deterate. I won't run tires like yours. They aren't that expensive & having to change it on the road someplace isn't worth it to me. I had a complete set of Michilins on my Blazer that were doing that with over 50% tread & they went to the junk. I bought new tires. I have also had a tire just a few months ago with less cracking than yours another Michilin with 50% tread blow on me. I won't own Michilins again that I know but it can happen with any tire.

From the appearance with good tread on one side and poor tread on the other side. I think you should go to a shop that can do 4 wheel alignment. On a front wheel drive car they can shim the one wheel so the tire doesn't wear on one side. I've found in the Atlanta area NTW does decent wheel alignments.
I would ask them about the tire as from the picture I would be leary of this tire.

I'm posting this for informational purposes. Be careful when you purchase "new" tires as you need to check any date codes to see how long these tires may have been in the store's inventory.http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=903329
Good reason to put expiration dates on tires as the government wants to do. Tires still deteriorate while in storage or a store's/warehouse's inventory.

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking that the cracking might be a hazard. Do you think I should try to match the other tire on the back of the car? I have the receipt from Wal-Mart from the previous owner. He bought the cheapest tire and was like $55.00 installed. I would like to keep the new tire under 75ish installed. Any recommendations?

I bought 4 Delta Esteems with 70,000 mile warranty for my wife's Lumina a few months ago for $290 out the door. Check tire shops. WalMart isn't that good on prices. I have beat their prices several times. Plus Tire shops employ experienced tire people. WalMart installed new valve stems for me on some tires about 5 years ago & used a pair of CHANNELOCKS to pull them in. You could see were the grips bite into the rubber. That was the last of WalMart Auto for me.

I'm a cheapass about a lotta things, but not tires.

You've got 3500 pounds going 70 mph and your only connection to this Earth is 24 square inches of tire contact patch...better make it a good 24 inches.

That said, sidewall checking/cracks are rarely a safety issue (can't even fail it for safety inspection)...sidewall rubber is mostly cosmetic, and that kind of cracking is usually just degradation from UV exposure.

If there is cracks in between tread blocks or the blocks appear to be wearing with small bits breaking off instead of smoothly worn edges, the tire is no good. It can start chunking and throw pieces or the whole tread when you least expect. And they are too hard to grip with any authority in rain, etc.

Wal-mart would not have been my number one choice to get a tire installed but I would have tried to match the other rear tire if it was necessary. I got a couple quotes for decent tires at local shops and think I am going to play it safe and just get a new one. It’s better to be safe than sorry and have a 7 year old tire blow out on you.