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tire cracks

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by James Mercer, Mar 4, 2017.

  1. James Mercer

    James Mercer Junior Member

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    I have a 2014 III. When changing the winter tires today, I noticed the EP20s which have about 25k on them, have tiny cracks near the rim. 100s of them. The tires have about 8/32's tread left and were manufactured in 2013. Are the cracks a problem? I had planned on replacing the tires after this summer anyway. Our Civic hybrid has six year old 422's with no visible cracking.

    If tires are in order, besides Michelin Energy A/S which people seem to like, does anyone have anything to say about Continental TrueContacts? In particular, are they quiet and did they impact mileage much?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 James Mercer, Mar 4, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't think the cracks are an issue on tyres that new, but if you're going to replace them early, might as well do it now. i have the michelins.
     
    #2 bisco, Mar 4, 2017
    James Mercer likes this.
  3. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Posting a picture of it would help. I've experience with tires that looks old and brittle throughout the tire and it drove fine. As long as it doesn't leak and have a big gash anywhere, it's fine. If you feel unsafe, then change them out for a peace of mind :)
     
    #3 NutzAboutBolts, Mar 4, 2017
    Mendel Leisk, Former Member 68813 and James Mercer like this.
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We're still on original Michelin Pilots on our 2010. Car's build date was Aug 2009 (it sat till Nov 2010), and the tires were made in Feb 09 (there's a code on the sidewall that gives year and week). Anyway, they're starting to have fine cracks, but still ok. You have to look close to see them. When they start getting bigger, joining up, then yeah it might be time.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Mar 4, 2017
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  5. James Mercer

    James Mercer Junior Member

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    Thank you all for the advice. I will probably go with new tires as the EP20's are no great shakes anyway. I may have to start a new thread to get feed back on the Continentals.
     
    #5 James Mercer, Mar 5, 2017
  6. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    the thread is useless without pictures. some minor cracks are harmless ("weathering") while some others are signs of major structural problems.
     
    #6 Former Member 68813, Mar 5, 2017
  7. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I replaced my set of Michelin Energy Savers at the beginning of last summer (2016) as very fine cracks had started to appear in the sidewalls, sadly a well-known Michelin problem - the tread lasts longer than the rest of the tyre, but as always, YMMV!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 WilDavis, Mar 6, 2017
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  8. James Mercer

    James Mercer Junior Member

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    the cracks are 1/4 of an inch long at most and didn't really show up in the photo I attempted. They are also more prevalent on the inside of the tire.
     
    #8 James Mercer, Mar 6, 2017
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