PS3 cracking up again!

[obcuz]

Well, got the covers off the Clio today after another winter, had a quick look around and see now that the rear pair of PS3's have cracking on the sidewalls all around the circumference.
(205/17/45 83V)
These tyres have been on the car for 6 years though, but only about 2,000 miles over that time, the treads are hardly touched.
Is this a common thing particular to the PS3? because two years ago I replaced the front tyres which were the same PS3 except W rated, and those had the same cracking problem in the same place and again very little mileage and were about 4 years/2k old, these are not cheap tyres, would have expected better, but am I expecting too much?

 

[Usr117063]

Been on the car for 6 but when were they made?

 

[OneTime_]

Recommended to change tires when they reach 6 years old. Check the stamps on the side walls, should be four numbers - month and year ie: 08 16 - August 2016 manufacture date.

 

[obcuz]

Thanks for reply - I don't know if there is a date code or how to decode it, but all tyres were purchased/fitted brand new from reputable local tyre dealer (I think they came via Black Circles IIRC).

 

[obcuz]

Oops, sorry too quick for me, thanks - i'll check for that

 

[OneTime_]

Tyre Age - How Old Are My Tyres? - Kwik Fit Guide

Old tyres can begin to crack and perish making them dangerous. Identify the age of your tyres with this simple guide from Kwik Fit.

www.kwik-fit.com

It's in weeks, not months, my mistake.

 

[clio tyres]

These tyres have been on the car for 6 years

How old is too old? The five-year test​

After five or more years in use, your tyres should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year. If the need arises, follow the recommendations of the vehicle manufacturer regarding replacing the original equipment tyres.

As a precaution, if the tyres have not been replaced 10 years from their date of manufacture (see how to read a tyre ), Michelin recommends replacing them with new tyres, even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator

MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehicles - 5. Axles, wheels, tyres and suspension - Guidance - GOV.UK

Axle, wheel bearing, wheel and tyres, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and suspension (including springs, shock absorbers, and suspension arms and joints) rules and inspection for car and passenger vehicle MOT tests.

www.gov.uk

When assessing cuts in a tyre, it is permissible to check whether a cut is deep enough to reach the ply or cord by using a blunt instrument to open the cut taking care not to cause further damage.

The following criteria should be used when assessing a cut in a tyre:

• any ply or cord that can be seen without touching the tyre - fail
• if by folding back rubber or opening a cut with a blunt instrument, so as not to cause further damage, exposed ply or cord can be seen irrespective of the size of the cut - fail
• if a cut which is more than 25mm or 10% of the section width whichever is the greater, is opened with a blunt instrument and cords can be felt but not seen - fail

Before failing a cut, you must make sure it’s the cords that you can feel not a foreign object. If you’re not sure, then you should pass and advise.

 

[obcuz]

Thanks for the replies guys and all understood, but my question was more specific to the Mich. PS3 as I have had this same problem on these tyres and the cracking is always in the same part of the tyre where the side wall nears the tread.

I have had lots of different sorts of tyres on cars over the years some cheep and some not, but this sidewall cracking seems to be a new thing built into the tyres?

I've got an old Dunlop SP which has been on the rim and stored 50 years and still holding same air from 1971, and tyre still looks like it did back then,

I find it concerning that these tyres are now £100+ each and failing after 6 years and 2 thousand very steady miles, I've always fitted the PS2/3 tyres on the car, but time to change me thinks.

'French Rubber'?

 

[sburrell93]

Like pretty much everything else these days, I wouldn't be surprised if cost cutting in manufacturing means tyres aren't built to last as long. Everything old seems like it's designed to last longer, from tyres to washing machines. Haven't personally seen that happen on PS3s before but I've never had a set last that long.

If you're getting 6 years out of a set of tyres then even at £100 a corner that's hardly bad though. That's the equivalent of about a fiver a month lol.

 

[JackJack]

I thought Michelin tyres always had a bit of a reputation for sidewalls cracking?

 

[NorthloopCup]

I thought Michelin tyres always had a bit of a reputation for sidewalls cracking?

They do mate.

 

[clio tyres]

I have had this same problem on these tyres and the cracking is always in the same part of the tyre where the side wall nears the tread.

It just means the tyres wont grip aswell as new ones.

I find it concerning that these tyres are now £100+ each and failing after 6 years and 2 thousand very steady miles

i wouldn't class cosmetic perishing as failing.

 

[obcuz]

It just means the tyres wont grip aswell as new ones.

i wouldn't class cosmetic perishing as failing.

The last pair failed MOT with same problem, I call that failing

 

[Clio_fool]

Have they cracked all the way around like that or just where the load has been? If you do very little miles and they are just stood then that's not really what they are designed to do and at 6+ yesrs old I don't really see how you can blame Michelin.

 

[clio tyres]

The last pair failed MOT with same problem, I call that failing

The MOT tester can only fail if any ply or cord can be seen so must of been alot worse than the tyre pictured and one i am talking about.

 

[obcuz]

Have they cracked all the way around like that or just where the load has been? If you do very little miles and they are just stood then that's not really what they are designed to do and at 6+ yesrs old I don't really see how you can blame Michelin.

They have cracked like that all the way around on both rear tyres, not a great deal of weight to support

By comparison, the Kumho 17" on my escort which only does about 100 miles a year so is laid up virtually all the time (shows only), and hasn't moved over the last 18 months, still look in perfect condition, they were fitted 8 years ago.

 

[NBG182]

Bought mine with a set of PS3's on the rear. Similar age as yours and the car had also been sitting for a year or two. Sidewalls were fine, but cracks were forming within the tread around the whole tire.

Take from that what you will. Ran them for a little while and then changed all four for a matching set.

 

[Clio_fool]

By comparison, the Kumho 17" on my escort which only does about 100 miles a year so is laid up virtually all the time (shows only), and hasn't moved over the last 18 months, still look in perfect condition, they were fitted 8 years ago.

I guess that solves your problem then, no?

 

[obcuz]

I guess that solves your problem then, no?

YES! I think the tread pattern is similar on the Ecsta too.

 

[Peggy924]

Before I had the 182, I had a (from new), Abarth 595 Competizione. On the 2nd year service, the only advisory was that the PS3 rear tyres were cracking. They were too! Two years old and 10,000 miles, and that was my daily.

 

[Mark.B]

I ordered 4 new PS3's for my 172 cup earlier today, cleaned the car at the weekend and the sidewalls are still like new.

Just looked through my order history and they've been on for just over 2 years and done about 29,000 miles.