Is it safe to use my tyres?

[exbdishin]

My '07 Ford Expedition EL was standing unused for 3 years before I bought it last month with 13 miles on the clock. For at least the last year it was stood uncovered in the desert (in summertime heat of up to 115+ degrees). Before that it may have been in covered storage or out in the open, I don't know.

Everyone (except a local tyre fitter, but I don't know how qualified he is) has advised me to change the tyres (which are Pirelli Scorpions), but they seem in good condition and I have driven 2,000 miles so far with them on. However, next weekend we're planning a 1,000 mile trip through some of the most desolate desert known to man in 100 degree heat and the last thing I want is a blow out on the highway. BUT I've got a bit of a funding crisis at the moment and I can do without spending the equivalent of US$900 on tyres.

So do I risk it and run on the current shoes, or do I play it safe and invest in some new ones? Does anyone have any experience in this?

TIA

[CapriRacer]

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 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.

The fact that you spell the word with a "Y" says you are not in the US (So does the +115°F) These are about the most extreme conditions on the planet.

To be safe, you should replace them. What you do not want is for a tire to come apart at speed - very dangerous.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by CapriRacer

The fact that you spell the word with a "Y" says you are not in the US (So does the +115°F) These are about the most extreme conditions on the planet..

He's in Saudi Arabia.

Does everyone in Saudi Arabia change their tires when they are 3 years old? Sure, SA is a harsh climate for tires, but I expect the average driver gets more than 3 years out of a tire.

IMHO there is no reason for the OP to change the tires, unless there are obvious signs of trauma, such as cuts, bad cracks, abnormal bulges, vibrations when driving, etc.

[exbdishin]

Thanks for both angles of advice; I have gone down the middle way.

I chose to replace them with a new set of Continental Contitraks (and only afterwards saw how bad they fared in Tirerack's surveys/reviews!). However, I also got the garage to drop the old tyres round to my house because I reckon they're still OK for a few thousand miles of city driving. So when I get back from my weekend trip I'll put the originals back on and keep the Contis for when I need them again. Tyres cost so much out here (yes, I am in Saudi Arabia and my Continentals were the equivalent of US$ 215 each) that you need to squeeze every mile out of them!