| Re: TYRE SHELF LIFE The only reason a tire would do that IF IT WAS BUILT CORECTLY is if the tire pressure went way down. Thats what they look like, tread seperated from the side wall. That area of the tire is where it is flexing thus the heat build up and failure at the same point. Less than 5-10psi will do it. I had a suv tire on a Chev Blazer do the same thing and the tread came all the way off the tire leaving the sidewalls on the rim. I was in the SNOW speed about 40 mph and outside temp at about 15 dergees F. I first felt a slight softness then a slight vibration and BANG the tread was behind me in the rearview mirror. All in about 30 sec.
When I figured out what had happened I just let in coast to a stop and the rim, alum, was fine. I'm glad you didn't brake hard or you would have flat spotted the rim. All the keep it straight wide eyed arm motion kept you foot off the brake and saved your rim.
I would never believe this story if it had not happened to me. I still find it hard to believe that a tire could get that hot in those conditions. Oh the tread had a nail in it when I walked back and got it. I am not sure how long it ran with a low pressue but it felt ok up to the last min or so.
A light car might not warn you as to a low tire pressure as soon as a heavy one at speed. And as for looking at it sitting in the pits I don't think you would see a low profile tire that was down to 15-20 psi unlees you really were inspecting it. You may have gone out with a leaking tire and it just went down and blew up. These cars handle so well at 8/10s that you might not feel it.
Then again it might have been a bad one, it happens. Any holes in it? |