Nissan Patrol 4x4 (Africa)

Good morning!

I am a bit unsure about my tyres. They are Duelers 694 (which are not ideal, i know).
Now I wonder as there is not DOT-number if the number I took a picture of tells me the tyre is manufactured in 03/2002?
And what do you think: is the tread still ok, or would you replace it?
If the tyre is from 2002 I'd have to replace it anyhow....

Thanks for your advice!

If they are from 2002 they are slowly but surely turning into crude oil again ...lol..deflate to 0.8 bar drive around the block at a modrate speed have a look for cracks in the rubber that will give you the info you need ...to spend 20k or not hope it helps

Hi Tinus,

thank you for your advice!
In the meantime I went to the local tyre dealer and he had a look - the dot number is on the inside of the tyres!
So he could tell me that all four tyres are from 2008. Six years at least don't mean an emergency I'd say. So I think I'll drive them a year or so more.

Most guys say you have about 8 years on a tire but imho it all depends where and how...if your tires are at 30 deg most of the time in the sun gives them a bash . If you are in guateng is much dryer than natal ...wat I am trying to say is deflate have a look for cracks that will give you a good indication on condition

I have always been a supporter of the DULLER 694 and in the many many many kilometers I have driven to weird & wonderful places, the Duellers were the tyres I reli8ed on most, which gave me the best grip & enough mileage [only ONE flat due to a cut tyre and that was my OWN fault [read stupid] .. not looking where I was driving]

The tread on your pict still looks good for 30 - 40 thousand KM [if i read the picts correctly]

WHAT SIZE are those tyres ?
[The missionaries in Botswana are only too greatful to get "aged" tyres from SA .. Leon ry op bande wat al 15 jaar oud is en daar is nog loop op ]
So, if you want to throw them, I'll take them to Botswana missions

I don't think that is the date code.

That lettering seems to be a permanent mold feature, whereas the date code needs to be replaced often. This is done by using a replaceable insert in the mold, which leaves an oval or oblong "pad". Look for this, and the date could should be in that.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/tire_expire.htm

To my understanding:
In Germany you must by law replace the tyre when it is eight years old (This I know for a fact).
In South Africa you must by law replace the tyre when it is five years old. (I stand to be corrected, but this is the way I have it.)
If the tyre dates from 2002 it is in any case way too old and you would be well advised to replace it. In SA tyres are prone to perishing due to UV exposure and other adverse ambient conditions/factors.
My advice is to ditch such old tyres and DON'T give them to anybody else if they are not good enough for you or if they are out of legal spec. Safety is paramount!!!

That rule nor law exist in Botswana -- and I have seen missionaries driving around on tyres 15 years old [A T radials and "bakkie tyres" 20 years .. They drive mostly on soft sand, their distances are not that far .. and most of them drive slow.

I think the 5-year thing in SA is not a Law that I know of [maybe teh INSURANCE companies has such a rule ?? Check with your insurance co. and get the reply IN WRITING if it is not clearly pointed in your contract [read the fine print]

Sorry, I just now saw that you asked about the tire size: they are 265/75 R16 which is standard, I suppose?

The car is in South Africa, not in Germany. But I think, there is no law in South Africa giving you a maximum tyre age, isn't it?

We have a spare for you took A set of agarob still have the one the rest all died ....