65GS.com - Buick Gran Sport Enthusiasts!

Drivetrain => Rims & Tires => Topic started by: elagache on April 29, 2016, 06:36:14 PM

Title: Is rotating tires much of an issue on a infrequently driven classic?
Post by: elagache on April 29, 2016, 06:36:14 PM
Dear mid-60s Buick tire caregivers,

I've still got to make up my mind on the tire upgrade for my trusty 1965 Buick Special wagon.  The only uncertainty is whether or not to go with fatter tires on the rear.  I'm still not sure there is any advantage, but I'm pondering if there is any real disadvantage either.

If you have all 4 tires of the same size you can rotate them.  That's a good idea on a car that gets a lot of miles, but does it make much of a difference for a classic car that cannot be driven very many miles?  I promised Hagerty's I would not drive more than 2000 miles a year, and at the moment, I doubt I'll even get close to that.  So the limiting factor on tire life will be most likely aging that will occur even if the car isn't driven.  There is an article on the Hagerty website that suggests a limit of 8 years for tire life:

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2014/03/21/shredded-tire (https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2014/03/21/shredded-tire)

If you want a second opinion, there is this article from the TireRack.com that gives a life expectancy of around 6-10 years:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=138 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=138)

So that's two similar numbers and is consistent with my own experience.  If you take the upper limit of 10 years, then you'll never put more than 20,000 miles on a tire when the tread life warranties run from 30,000 to 100,000 miles.  As far as I can tell, a classic car will never wear out its tires so long as it is kept in good mechanical condition.

So as far as I can tell, so long as you keep your front end in good condition and well-aligned, you have essentially nothing to gain from rotating your tires.

What do you guy's think?  Am I overlooking something obvious?

Opinions solicited!!

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:

P.S. That still isn't a reason for different tires front and back, but it does at least make it plausible.
Title: Re: Is rotating tires much of an issue on a infrequently driven classic?
Post by: Mister T on April 29, 2016, 07:49:21 PM
My unscientific opinion, rotating tires that won't see many miles is not necessary. If memory serves correctly, the idea of rotating your tires stems from expecting to drive over 12,000-15,000 per annum. This gave tires the opportunity to wear more evenly, thus prolonging the need to replace them. It was also more applicable to bias ply and the early radial tires.

It's doubtful I ever rotated my tires more than 3-4 times in the past 40+ years, and never in the last 25.

YMMV. :laughing7:
Title: Re: Is rotating tires much of an issue on a infrequently driven classic?
Post by: GS66 on April 29, 2016, 07:51:28 PM
I have worn out 2 sets of tires on our 'cuda. Going on the Power Tour seven years with it helped. When they start getting old you can always burn them off. The 'cuda is stock except for the wheels and a Hurst Line-Lock. Going to try and wear out a set on the 65! That said, I wouldn't bother rotating unless you already had them off like for checking the brakes.
Title: Thanks! (Re: Rotating tires on a infrequently driven classic?)
Post by: elagache on April 30, 2016, 02:30:04 PM
Dear Tom, Jim, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Thanks, for confirming my suspicions!   :thumbsup: Now I need to decide if there really is any decent reason to have tires of different widths on my trusty wagon!

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Is rotating tires much of an issue on a infrequently driven classic?
Post by: GS66 on April 30, 2016, 07:17:14 PM
One reason is it looks tough!
Title: And that might be the reason! (Re: Rotating tires on a classic?)
Post by: elagache on April 30, 2016, 09:47:42 PM
Dear Jim and mid-60s Buick "keeping up with appearances" types!  :laughing7:

Quote from: GS66 on April 30, 2016, 07:17:14 PM
One reason is it looks tough!

And you know what, . . . that might be all the reason I need!  :laughing7:

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Is rotating tires much of an issue on a infrequently driven classic?
Post by: Rollaround on May 01, 2016, 07:30:38 PM
Maybe I should rotate mine. My rear tires seem to wear much faster than the fronts.
Title: Too much lead? (Re: Rotating tires on a infrequently driven classic?)
Post by: elagache on May 01, 2016, 09:51:03 PM
Dear Kevin and mid-60s Buick "precision machine operators" . . . . .  :laughing7:

Quote from: Rollaround on May 01, 2016, 07:30:38 PM
Maybe I should rotate mine. My rear tires seem to wear much faster than the fronts.


(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) . . . Hmm, If I had to make a guess the problem isn't in the tires but in the lead to be located between your foot and  . . . . the accelerator pedal!!  (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/car_3gears.gif)

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
Title: Re: Too much lead? (Re: Rotating tires on a infrequently driven classic?)
Post by: Rollaround on May 02, 2016, 12:06:30 PM

(http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/wink_smile_triangle.gif) . . . Hmm, If I had to make a guess the problem isn't in the tires but in the lead to be located between your foot and  . . . . the accelerator pedal!!  (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/car_3gears.gif)

Cheers, Edouard  :occasion14:
[/quote]

You may be on to something Edouard. I think I may have discovered a direct correlation between horsepower, torque and tire wear. 
Title: Re: Is rotating tires much of an issue on a infrequently driven classic?
Post by: vinnie on May 02, 2016, 05:14:12 PM
Kevin, I do believe that Edouard has hit on something. I have ridden with you.
Glenn