Would you replace this tyre?

[sleuthey]

Its the original NSF tyre on a 22 reg.
Covered 13k miles, tread is 3.5mm.
Holds pressure, performs normally.
The cracking goes around the whole circumference.

 

[13 rider]

Yes , once you seen the damage would you be happy doing 70mph down a motorway on it ?
Almost looks like a manufacturing defect to go like that in that time scale/ mileage I presume the opposite tyre is ok

 

[sleuthey]

The others are fine. So was this one 6 months ago.

 

[Slick]

I've had to replace a number of tyres like this, and the fitters always blame the fact the car sits for months at a time unused.

I was never convinced myself.

 

[sevenfourate]

Is it a soft compound / sporty tyre ? If so it could be (Hard to tell from looking and what i saw with mine) a 'cold tear' from where the tyre is used in cold temps and the rubber has effectively and literally mildly sheared. I had the same happen on a Porsche Cayman recently with Michelin PS4's on.

And i believe if you Google it - theres pages and pages relating to BMW owners (Presumably they are standard tyres on some of their Sportier offerings) suffering the same fate.....

**PS: I was told safe to use and carry on. I ignored and bought four new tyres that were (And haven't) done the same after some research.

 

[sleuthey]

Is it a soft compound / sporty tyre ? If so it could be (Hard to tell from looking and what i saw with mine) a 'cold tear' from where the tyre is used in cold temps and the rubber has effectively and literally mildly sheared. I had the same happen on a Porsche Cayman recently with Michelin PS4's on

It's an Eco Contact 6, so not sporty/soft.
Here is a closer picture:

 

[Yellow Saddle]

It is perefectly OK. The stuff that holds a tyre together is inside and when that fails, you'll see a bulge. The rubber is not structural. Somebody rode that tyre hard.

 

[Brandane]

Would I replace the tyre in the OP?
On my car, no. But I would keep an eye on it.
On my motorbike, most definitely yes. (Unlikely scenario though due to the more rounded construction profile).

 

[Cycleops]

No, but I'd keep two or three spares in the boot.
Motorists North of the border and in Yorkshire definitely not.

 

[fossyant]

As others have said, just keep an eye on them. They've got a mm or so useful wear left athough many say replace at 3mm.

 

[Gillstay]

How old is it ? I would check that before making any decision.

 

[Drago]

If its not been driven any distance under or over inflated and not banged about then it's probably fine, despite appearances.

On the other hand, a tyre ceases to tread water at 3MM and is effectively scrap at that point anyway, and you're nearly there. Chuck in the thought that if you were faced with the choice of death or spending a hundred quid you'd choose the hundred quid every time...

I'd change it.