What’s going on with my tire?

[eethan]

Rear right side outer tire has a dimple in it. About the size of a dime, not too deep. Safe to drive on still? I’ll post the date codes and actual age of the tires in a bit when I’m out by the bus again

[eethan]

More ID info

[eethan]

DOT Codes for rear (2012) and fronts (2009)

[Brad_SwiftFur]

I'd run on that tire until it's worn/aged out. Typical DOT Out Of Service would involve any sidewall damage greater than 1/4" deep or revealing any sidewall plies. Many tires have sidewall dimples molded in from the factory - SWI (Sidewall Wear Indicator) which is common for city driving and scraping curbs frequently. When the dimple is flush with the surrounding rubber, it's the factory designed wear limit for the sidewalls.

[bigskypc50]

How old is aged out? I have 2008 on my fronts and I assume 2000 on my rears. I knows 10 years is the limit for cars, but what is aged out in the semi tire world.

[Native]

I have "heard" that about years is aged. No hard evidence, just hearsay.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by bigskypc50

How old is aged out? I have 2008 on my fronts and I assume 2000 on my rears. I knows 10 years is the limit for cars, but what is aged out in the semi tire world.

Most recap companies will not 'cap a tire over 5 years old (maybe 6-7 years for specific customers, such as use on storage and yard-use only trailers), there's no real consensus, anywhere from 7-10 years. I'm more of the "run 'em until there's a problem" type - I will check regularly for cracks, dry rot, underinflation, etc. I've run on tires close to 20 years of age. I wouldn't want to run long distances but I would run locally with tires that old, and with the knowledge that they're running on borrowed time so replacement could be in order at any given time. Certainly good enough for use during a build out, and replacement before any long trips.


Many tire shops will give you "casing credit" if your old tires can be recapped.

[Sehnsucht]

Just looks like it caught a curb or something, and I agree with the general consensus here to just run it til it gives you trouble then replace it. Even on semi tires I wouldn't sweat that because it doesn't appear to be down to the cords.