Tire/Tyre/Tahr Care --- Should I Care?

Yesterday I was channel surfing and came across coverage of the Amgen Tour of California cycle race.

ALL STOP, this I gotta see! I admit it, I'm seriously 'flicted with watching professional cycle racing.

From purely technical standpoint the machines used are engineering marvels meant to get the utmost from a relatively low power, low torque power plant. At the awe inspiring average MPH the cyclists sustain over long distances every little thing matters greatly.

A few years ago, during the Armstrong period of domination, during one of the Tours dee France, there was a sidebar about the tires used. Needless to say they were high-dollar to begin with. The US Postal/Discovery Channel team tire/wheel guru was interviewed in his haunt, a dim basement by appearances. He waxed poetic on the special care afforded the tires, especially the fact that the tires were aged (seasoned? cured? tempered?) for something like two years before use. He took care to point out, amongst the hundreds of tires hanging from racks like so many snakes in hibernation, Armstrong's tires which were aged even longer.

The allegation was that over time a fundamental chemical change takes place in the tread material. Not dissimilar to what happens to wines, cheeses, whiskeys, etc that are aged before consumption.

OK, thinks I, these people are seriously whacked out. On subsequent consideration, I realized that the riders depend on their tires, even for their very life. Any problem when rocketing down a twisty mountain pass at up to 60 MPH, on something like one square inch of contact between tire and road. could mean a tumble over the guard rail... free fall down into the valley... etc.

Well, yesterday, I connected those thoughts with my new Prius.

Would it make any difference to FE and/or tire longevity if I bought a set of high-zoot skins and stored them in the basement until I need replacements, hopefully in four or more years?

Could posters with racing experience, of either the cycling and/or automotive persuasion, confirm or put the lie to this idea?

Lastly, somewhere back in the foggy past I was told that applying Armor All or any of the similar tire cleaner/dressings was actually bad for tires over the long term. Something about hardening of the sidewall, or oxidation leading to cracking.

Is this an old wives tale/unban legend?

 

On a different thread, patsparks said:

In turn, I invited Pat to comment on this thread:

"What you say about 'seasoned' tires/tyres runs contrary to the comments
I have been able to elicit here:

http://priuschat.com/forums/care-ma.../43287-tire-tyre-tahr-care-should-i-care.html

"Would you consider dropping by and making a comment?"

Pat responded on the other thread thusly:

I find this interesting. Apparently, it may make a very big difference as to
how a tire is aged whether it improves or ruins a tire. I am aware that RV
owners frequently cover their tires with canvas covers. I suspect that it is to
reduce the UV load seen by the tires.

I am willing to accept Pat's contention that there is something to be said for
aging tires in a cool, dark place.

If there really is anything to this idea, it seems to me that should a poster
complain about early tire failure/rapid wear, it might reasonably be asked,
"When the car is not in use, is it garaged or left out in the open?"

(Pat, when you read this, I hope you don't think that I'm trying to "steal your
thunder." Should you feel I've taken what you've said out of context, or feel
addition comments are in order, please don't hesitate to post.)

 

Another thread has been opened that also deals with aged tires. Actually, it
deals with superannuated tires, that is, tires being sold as new, although they
have been found to be up to 12 years old. These tires seem to be susceptible
to tread de-lamination at speed.

At least in England, a tire trade group has recommended that tires be not
more than six years old when they are put in use. The safety implications of
this issue are too important not to be pointed to here.

http://priuschat.com/forums/care-ma...ires-driving-hazard.html?highlight=aged+tires