Every day radial tire question

[groucho]

How long do they sit in one spot on the car when they get permanent flat spots? Thanks

[Bamfster]

First off, I have no idea .... with that said, I did have a car stored on cheapo radials for 15+ years. When we pulled it out, the tires were really low, but not flat. We drove the car for 2500 or so miles with no noticeable flat spots or funky handling before putting new tires on.

[Monk]

I always thought it was the non radial tires that developed
the flat spots (biased ply) and radials weren't prone
to the dilemma.

[groucho]

I always thought it was the non radial tires that developed
the flat spots (biased ply) and radials weren't prone
to the dilemma.

Bias for sure. And I hope/think you're right. But, I can't help but wonder if "anything" happens in time to the radial.

[Gary 351C]

The tread separates from the carcas and beats your fender/Q-panel to death. That's what happened to my 14 year old BFG T/A's on the blue Montego.

[ls7gto]

the tire code ( on sidewall) tells you when the tire was manufactured. And Tire Companies say to remove and destroy a tire that is 7 yrs old. ( At least ford does)

[1988montecarloss 2]

my monte has been sitting for 2 years and i put the wheels on my bmw and they had no flat spots, so theyre good for at least 2 years haha

[Dan Barlow]

The tread separates from the carcas and beats your fender/Q-panel to death. That's what happened to my 14 year old BFG T/A's on the blue Montego.

I have to agree with you on this one. Never had radials flat stop but I have had the the outside carcus come of and beat the fenders up on a car and a car trailer. I think it has more to do with age than sitting though. I live buy the seven year rule now.

[milner351]

Some radials will flat spot, but they will go away after a few miles.

Pay attention to the DOT date code as mentioned - just because they look good, doesn't mean they are good. If the tires have been inside it helps, UV rays don't help rubber at all. I think tire stores are required to junk tires if they are 7 years or older.

[Teddyzee]

Had some cheap Nexen radials go out-of-round in one Winter. That was not impressive!

[Beagle]

Had some cheap Nexen radials go out-of-round in one Winter. That was not impressive!

Falkens on my dad's truck did it in about 9 months, Fooooorrrrtt---ttt-t-t---t-t-t-ttty five mph let you know. They didn't get better after 30 miles. My Lightning has jacked right rear quarter from old tires saying "F* IT" at high speed.

It's a whole lot easier to replace the tires than paint and body imho. I have some great 'looking' rollers I wouldn't trust past 30mph.

[JeffMcKC]

Lots of new cars have this issue. They will heat up in 20 miles or so and come out of it. I have seen them take as much as 100 miles on a road trip.

The newer Ford F-150s are bad for this

[groucho]

Thanks for all the replies. Helps a lot. Now I'm not too worried about my Pontiac sitting on brand new tires the past 1 1/2 yrs. It should be on the road within the next year

[Barry Donovan]

maine can flat spot a yokohama and any rotor with an ebrake on.
even though it is worlds better than it used to be..
the silica gurus found a way to really keep things going.

I can't even look at "new old stock" anything.

[Teddyzee]

I nearly shit a brick when mine went out of round.
Thought the balance was off, so I took them to a local shop, rolled them in and sat down. The tech came to get me, said "have a look at this". Showed me the wheel on the machine, totally egg shaped- I though it was the rim! Thankfully, just the tires.

They were little rubber bands off the front of my truck, so I gave them to a tuner friend (245/35/18)