A couple weeks ago while washing my tires i noticed some cracks in the side wall of my one tire, these tires i got last may and have 15,000 miles on them. The cracks were just little and nothing big. So i took it to the tire shop i got my tires and showed them and the guy said it was fine, so the other day i was washing my truck again and noticed the cracks were getting worse and now one of the cracks is continuous around about a 1/4 of the tire and now the 3 other tires are starting to show the same sort of cracks. These dont look like the regular weather cracks or dry rot cracks, the edges of the cracks actually flare outward, almost like when you cut rubber with a razorblade. These tires are Gilette Kodiak AT 2, they are a product of Bridgestone/Firestone. Im taking the truck back again after work today for them to look at them again, i think 15,000 and 14 months is a little early for cracks period.

I know the picture isnt very good, but you can see the continuous crack line, and i know it looks like i brushed the tire up against something, but it was just there, so im not chalking it up to rash, because it wouldnt be happening all around on every tire.

 

Dosen't look good, check the date code when the tires were manufactured. It is the numbers after were it says DOT on the tire. First 2 number will be the week then last two digits will be the year of manufacture. Make sure they didn't sell you some tires that have been sitting around for a long time.

 

Check the date like bjjf150g said. The tires have a life of 6 years, or wear out, whichever comes first.

Cracks are nothing to mess around with so you should have them replaced or prorated (generously) toward another set of tires.

-rockstate

 

This is all I have after the DOT - W2ND K20

Unless the rest of the information is in the inside side wall of the tires, i have white letters out.

 

There might be a blank space after the DOT set of numbers but there should be a 4 number block somewhere near there with the date code. I think it is required for all tires to have this date code. example 2209 would mean the tire was produced the 22nd week of 2009. It could be on the black letter side as well

 

Ya, im not seeing it, those are the only numbers and letters clost to the DOT, i read that if its not on one side then it could be on the other side, and im at work right now in my nice clothes so im not about to roll around in the parking lot to look for date codes. Im taking it straight to the tire shop after work, maybe ill see if they would prorate or exchange or something and let me upgrade out of these off brands.

 

How timely, I am currently in the process of deciding what tires to buy (probably this week) and now I can place those on the list not to purchase.
Thanks for that...I do hope all works out for you though.

 

Went to the tire shop after work, had them look at it, the owner who i do trust, and my family has been going here for years said it looked like the edge of the black that they use to cover the white was starting to seperate, so i voiced my concern nicely and he agree with me and pro rated the tires for me, ive only used 3/32nds since i got them so i got 75% or my tire money back, so i sort of traded up to a bigger and better tire. I got a set of 256/70/75 Firestone Destination LEs, So after all was said and done i ended up with brand new firestones, in a bigger size for less than $150. i know it sucks dishing out more money for tires when i just did it last year, but i feel better and hopefully got a better tire.

 

Sounds like it worked out nicely to me.

 

dude. check date code. by law, tires sold to consumers must be manufactured in the year they were purchased. don't let them give u the runaround. my mom noticed cracks on her sidewalls, very soon after had dangerous blowout. replace immediately!!!

 

Just realized that with the size of the tire i reported above, i got 75" rims! lol. Anyway, after driving this tires for a couple days they are alot smoother ride, and the shaking i was getting right at 55 mph...gone!

 

I've got tires 6 years or maybe older in the basement or shed, but I watch them close when in use. They start cracking like that, they come off.

For instance, I have some lugged tires on my '77 that are failrly new, but then I have near new "use wise" Bridgestones in the basement on new wheels. I said "use wise" as "age wise", they were purchased in 2004 so they are 6+ years old, but they were only used a couple thousand miles. Had them out a coupl;e weeks ago washing them and applying preservative and they look new. I'ld run them to California without hesitation.

I watch tires closely, but age alone isn't my yardstick.

My utility trailer has some 235/60-14 Firestone SS tires on it that were purchased in 1989, they wore like iron on a T-bird I used to have, but after changing to 15" wheels they laid in the shed for years. Found a stem about to fall off so I broke them down enoough to change stems and man o man .... the cracks in them tires! Need to pull them off and install their sisters.

 

I hear you bear, i have a set of goodyears on my camaro that i put on in 2002, and they still look brand new, no problems.