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  #1  
Old 12-23-2010, 07:25 PM
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Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Tire Date Codes

Although I bought a new set of Michelin Pilot Sport tires in 2007, their date codes show they were made in 2004 and are now too old to pass tech inspection for my next open-road rally even though they have 7/32 remaining.

Question: has anyone had positive experience requesting the newest date codes when purchasing tires?

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  #2  
Old 12-26-2010, 11:17 PM
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Location: Queens, NY
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looks like you bought tires that were sitting for a few years..

I have never had any problems buying tires that were new but have been sitting for a long period of time. You should have no problems unless all the tire stores you end up going to just simply have new old stock of tires that have not sold. If that is the case then request to get a discount off the tires since they have been sitting for along time.
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  #3  
Old 12-27-2010, 09:03 AM
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Since Tire Rack sells tires manufactured in North and South America, as well as Europe, Africa and Asia, it's common for us to receive new tires directly from manufacturers that are already six to nine months old. Since we rotate our inventory, most of the tires we ship are less than a year old.

However some low volume tires in sizes for limited production vehicles can only be efficiently manufactured periodically where one short production run may produce more than a year's worth of global supply. In some of these cases, Tire Rack might receive new tires directly from the manufacturer that are already several years old.

There are also some occasions where we work with a tire manufacturer to help them clear out their inventory when they discontinue a tire line. While this may uncover some new tires that are several years old, these clearance tires are typically offered at a discount and will wear out before they age out.

Tires are stocked in Tire Rack distribution centers under favorable storage conditions. Protected from exposure to direct sunlight, moisture and hot and cold temperature extremes, our inventory leads a sheltered life compared to the tires mounted on wheels, installed on vehicles and exposed to the elements, road grime and brake dust.

Tire manufacturer's replacement tire warranties begin when the tires are purchased and typically last 4 to 6 years from that date. This allows the tire manufacturers' limited warranty to accommodate the time it takes tires to be shipped from the manufacturing plant to the warehouse or distribution center, to the retailer and to the consumer, as well as the time they spend in-service on the vehicle.
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Old 12-27-2010, 04:55 PM
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If the tires are a year old, don't accept them.

I have always requested fresh date-code tires when buying them, and have always received them. There are a few exceptions to the rule, one being some 365 Michelins that are apparently only produced once or twice per year, but otherwise never a problem.

Once the salesman knows you're concerned about the date code, they will deliver. Ask for the dates before they're installed. My local store won't accept old tires. Some stores/chains will buy lots of old tires for a discounted price. They have a choice to sell fresh or sell older for a larger profit.

If you're buying an old date-code tires, they're already aged. Whether the warranty starts when they're installed doesn't really matter if you can't get them installed or can't race on them, plus some of us only use our cars seasonally so the tires age-out before they wear out. The warranty is usually pro-rated, and you will pay. Best is to not have to replace the tires under warranty.

Old tires are harder, usually don't have the ride and grip of new ones, you can reduce the effect of aging by bagging and properly storing the tires in a cool dry area with no UV light and no ozone, ... but they still age.
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  #5  
Old 12-29-2010, 05:50 PM
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Retail vs Online Tires

The original tires I mentioned were bought online from a forum sponsor and arrived already over 2 years old. It wasn't a concern for the first year of racing but now I have to junk them with very little mileage as they won't pass tech inspection due to age from date of manufacture.

I appreciate Luke's explanation about why they may stock older tires, but still wonder if I can special request their newest date codes...otherwise the alternative is to buy from a retail outlet where I can examine the codes for myself.
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  #6  
Old 12-29-2010, 05:53 PM
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I have access to the date code info and would be happy to help when possible but, as I posted it's not always possible as they may already be a little mature when they arrive here. I spoke with a person who was doing an open road race last summer in his new 2010 Corvette and his car original tires would pass tech as they were almost 4 years old even though the car was >6 months old ... needless to say he wasn't to happy either
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  #7  
Old 12-31-2010, 11:51 AM
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Pilot Sport PS2

Thanks Luke :-) The Rack has PS2 tires at a good price right now. Can you tell me what the date codes for 245/45-17 and 275/40-17 sizes are? PM or email if you wish.

And Happy New Year to everyone!
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  #8  
Old 01-04-2011, 10:48 AM
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checked all warehouses and I am seeing dates ranging from 0709 - 1609
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  #9  
Old 01-05-2011, 01:35 PM
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Michelin PS2 latest tire test

Those dates will at least get me through a season or two! I see that a recent Tire Rack test placed the Continental ExtremeContact DW higher than the PS2, which came in at 3rd overall. Seems Michelin needs an update...is there any news about the Pilot Sport 3 line being expanded?
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  #10  
Old 01-05-2011, 01:42 PM
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North America release of the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport line is May 1, 2011. We are trying to get Michelin to move the date up to April 1st though.



Quote:
The Pilot Super Sport is Michelin's Max Performance Summer tire initially introduced as Original Equipment on several of the world's most sophisticated performance vehicles, including the exclusive limited edition Ferrari 599 GTO, Ferrari's fastest road car ever. Developed for drivers who care about how tire technology enhances their vehicle's performance and safety, Pilot Super Sport tires expand the Max Performance Summer tire performance envelope by delivering durability, handling and traction while increasing tread life.

Building on the development of racing tires designed to carry Prototype and GT class cars to endurance race victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring and Road Atlanta's Petit Lemans, Pilot Super Sport tires are designed to deliver consistent performance and longevity by blending Max Performance driving characteristics with extended tread wear.

While the importance of tire treadwear in endurance racing may not be immediately apparent, Michelin tires set records during the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010. One of the 2010 LMP Class leaders completed 46 consecutive laps on one set of tires with an average pace just 1% off of the pole position qualifying time. That’s almost 400 racing miles on one set of tires at an average speed of 150 mph.

Additionally the overall winner used just 11 sets of tires to cover a record 3,362 miles, averaging nearly 140 mph and almost 300 racing miles per set of tires. That represented almost a 25% wear improvement compared to just one year earlier where the overall winner needed 14 sets of tires to cover 3,235 miles. By developing longer wearing racing tires without sacrificing performance, Michelin tires allowed the teams to run record race paces while converting some of the time previously spent changing tires in the pits into productive time covering more miles on the track.

While Pilot Super Sport tires are designed to allow sports cars, sporty coupes, performance sedans and supercars to achieve their full potential in dry and wet conditions, like all summer tires they are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice.

The Pilot Super Sport features multiple innovative rubber compounds molded side-by-side into an asymmetric tread design. The low-void outboard shoulder features a track-type compound to withstand the stresses of high performance cornering while the notched center ribs and inboard shoulder feature a compound designed for superior performance at very high speeds and in wet conditions.

The tire's internal structure features twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wound Twaron cord. Twaron is a polyamide cord that offers a lightweight, high-strength reinforcement above the steel belts to enhance high-speed handling, wear and durability. Michelin FAZ Technology (Filament At Zero degrees) winds the Twaron cord around the tire circumference much the same way fishing line is wound onto fishing reels to allow Michelin engineers to tune tension and strength. The Pilot Super Sport features a polyester carcass to promote a comfortable ride and responsive handling.

Pilot Super Sport tires are comparatively light, with weight savings of up to 10% compared to other tires of similar dimensions. This reduces unsprung weight to improve handling.
Pilot Sport PS3 availability will be focused on sizes used as Original Equipment in the U.S.

We will gradually see availability of the Pilot Sport PS2 sizes diminish after the Pilot Super Sport line arrives.
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  #11  
Old 01-06-2011, 12:55 AM
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Pilot Sport 3

That's great news! I can wait until May (or sooner if TR is successful) for those tires if they will be available in 245/45-17 or 245/40-18.
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  #12  
Old 01-07-2011, 10:56 PM
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Found my answer on a British tire retailer's website. The P3 was released in Europe this month and my sizes were available. Here's hoping they bring the same ones to the North American market.

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