Is there really a need to rotate tires if tread wear is symmetrical?

[Zprime29]

Sure, but the aging models also have to account for sun and uv exposure for extremely hot and sunny countries, far in excess of what any of us here get. And I cannot be certain, but I'm highly confident, that the tire companies do not expect people to unmount their tires and turn the inner sidewall out to balance aging, so I have to believe the aging model accounts for that.

I still maintain the argument that the models already account for this and that none of us here will see a tire with enough sun damage to make it unsafe before it wears, or ages, out.

You've obviously never lived in Arizona. I had a 2013 Honda Pilot that was parked in the driveway, so full sun every day all day. Took it in for an oil change and the kind folks at Midas pointed out my sidewalls where beginning to crack. Had at least another 10k miles worth of tread left but replaced them anyways. When I asked the tech if that's common, he said more often that I would think it, especially for people who are unable to park inside. We cleaned out the garage as soon as temps cooled off that year.

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[Firn]

You've obviously never lived in Arizona. I had a 2013 Honda Pilot that was parked in the driveway, so full sun every day all day. Took it in for an oil change and the kind folks at Midas pointed out my sidewalls where beginning to crack. Had at least another 10k miles worth of tread left but replaced them anyways. When I asked the tech if that's common, he said more often that I would think it, especially for people who are unable to park inside. We cleaned out the garage as soon as temps cooled off that year.

How old were the tires? Older than 6 years? Older than 10?

 

[Zprime29]

How old were the tires? Older than 6 years? Older than 10?

Original tires, was before covid so around 6 years old (we bought it late 2013). I don't recall the mileage, just that I was surprised when the tech pointed it out. Apparently keeping it in the garage makes a big difference here.

 

[StevenC56]

You have to look at the DOT date codes on the tires, not when you had them installed. You'd be surprised how many 1-2+ year old tires get installed from tire shops.

 

[Zprime29]

You have to look at the DOT date codes on the tires, not when you had them installed. You'd be surprised how many 1-2+ year old tires get installed from tire shops.

Good point, never thought about how long they sit around before installation. Now you've got me curious about my current set of tires. The humidity gets down into the low teens, not a tire expert but I can't imagine that's good for rubber.

 

[StevenC56]

Good point, never thought about how long they sit around before installation. Now you've got me curious about my current set of tires. The humidity gets down into the low teens, not a tire expert but I can't imagine that's good for rubber.

Example on a new vehicle. My 2024 Lightning has a production date of 5/24. The Goodyear tires on it have a date code of 1724. (17th week of 2024) That means when I took delivery of my truck 10/1/24 the tires were already 5 months old.

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