Morning all. Got my test coming up soon so checking the van over and I've got a question on the tyres. The bus is a 73 Westy brought over from California in 2010 and bought by me last November. The tyres are marked All Steel M+S and have a date code of 0505. So, they are 9 years old. Got plenty of tread and I can't see any cracks in the sidewalls but: 9 years old! The size is 195/75R14 btw. Assuming that they don't pass muster on the test, what tyres to replace them with?
I'd want rid regardless due to the age. Even if mot man doesn't pull them. Tread delamination is worse than a blow out. If you're happy with how it rides stick with the same size
that's the common size in America for all the big yank tanks, uk spec would be 185 14c, easier to get hold of and cheaper. but still gonna be in the 2-400 region, if they're not cracked damaged or low on tread they will pass the mot
They will pass the MOT but I wouldn’t use 9 year old tyres regardless of how good they look or how much tread there is remaining. 195/75x14 are slightly wider and lower profile than the standard 185x14 but are a good match for rolling diameter and there is plenty of choice in this size with the correct load rating from about £65. For example Hankook Radial RA08 195/75 R14C 106/104Q although as mentioned there is a larger choice in 185x14. Whatever brand or size you choose make sure they have a high enough load rating – 96 or above.
Thanks to all for the info. I'll change the tyres, not worth the risk. Would steering/ride be noticeably different if I go to 185's instead of 195's?
My bus came from USA with 195/75 14 M&S tyres. All on 8mm but about 10 years old. I kept them for a couple of years until they started to crack on the side walls. They didn't look too bad until they were removed, then i was really shocked at how deep the cracks were. I've now got Goodyear 185/r/14 C.
A Mud and Snow (M&S) tyre will have an open tread – more gaps and less rubber - to work better in loose conditions and can be used all year round but a winter tyre has a different compound to be more suitable for low temperatures, these shouldn’t really be used during the summer due to the excessive wear rate.
