Rallye469

How much do old/crappy tires affect ride quality?

My 65 (stock 14" wheel)came with a mixed & match set of 8yo Korean tires. The size is fine. The tread is great and I've been driving around with them for a few months.
But the ride quality is TERRIBLE! Harsh, bumpy as hell. (It has new shocks which helped)
I've never bought old car tires for anything other than drag racing.

-peter

fleming442

They may be just hard from age. I suggest a vigorous heat treatment in burnout form, then rotate and repeat. 🤪

Loaded68W34

If the car was sitting in one spot for a long time, the tires can get flat spots which will cause a very bumpy ride. My Toronado sat on its tires from 1986 until I got it in 2018. Obviously I replaced them before doing any serious driving, but I did take the car out for some test miles on the old tires as I was finishing it and it was certainly a rough ride. With new tires, the car floats down the road.

Koda

My H/O is much better with new tires. Harder rider and would break loose easier before the new tires.

Weezer

I may be a bit biased, but considering I get my tires at a company discount because our other division is a major tire manufacturer, I have always been happy with the ride quality of Generals. Comparing them to Continentals, I'd go with the Generals every time. Every time I have replaced OEM tires, the ride has been smoother, and twice it has been changing from Conti's to Gen's.

The Hankooks I put on my Starfire were a huge upgrade over the old bias ply's that I had on it, but if I could've purchased 14's thru work that were close to the correct size, I would have.

oldcutlass

Or... They are overinflated. I usually replace tires when they hit 9 years whether they need it or not.

Olds64

Old tires will definitely run rough. If there is any tread separation or deterioration make sure you change them, stat!

leftlaneonly

old tires are fine...what could go wrong

acavagnaro

My experience has been that a good set of tires will make a bigger difference in ride quality than any other change to the suspension (assuming things aren't broken or missing). I've changed springs, bushings, shocks. All improvements but the biggest noticeable difference came from a good set of tires.

Az697175

I got 18 years out of my long discontinued Dunlop tires. Luckily this happened while the car was parked.

Neighbor thought a bomb blew up in my garage.

cjsdad

I just replaced the tires on my Son's car because the old ones were dry and hard. I could spin then at will at 20 mph on a damp road. Shouldnt be able to do that with an Explorer, LOL. HUGE improvement in the ride, grip, and noise level. The DOT number on the sidewall will tell you when they were made and you should replace them at 10 years, worn out or not. My Son's were only 5 but hard and dry-cracking from living in New Mexico.

Rallye469

The difference is extraordinary!
I wouldn’t believe how much if you told me.
I had to change a rear axle bearing so I decided to drop off the wheels at a local shop that sold Coopers.
Wow.

225 70R 14 Coopers in the back
195 75R 14 Ironman cheapies in the front

Nice stance. Dramatic improvement in ride quality, road noise, general comfort. Best $550 I’ve ever spent.
Took a nice little victory cruise tonight with a fun photo op as well.
-peter