My parents have an 87 Wrangler with 43K original miles For the last few years it has been driven about 1-2K miles per year. I am concerned about the tires though and wondering if new tires are in order. I checked the DOT codes on them on the oldest one on the car is from about August 2000, so closing in on 10 years, 2 are from early 2001 and one is from 2004. So how long are tires safe on a low driven second vehicle?

Below are some pictures of some areas I was concerned about:

 

appears to be dry rot. I'm sure it isn't the safest and I would think you could have a blow out but not anytime soon IMO

I'm going off a hay trailer we have at my mom's farm and some farm equipment, see this a lot but haven't had problems *knock on wood*

 

I'm pretty sure the oldest tires you should have on a car - even if the tires were sitting in a dark warehouse for most of their lifetime(s) - is 6 years, but I don't remember exactly, so I wanna say 5-7 years.

Either way you're going to have to buy four new tires. Three tires are way too old, and the other two don't even match/are worn differently. Not trying to scare you or anything, but the last thing you want is a violent blowout on a highway that steers your straight into a divider and flips over your Jeep. If you drive city only it should be fine for now but I would get those tires replaced.

 

The car is only driven in the city. I have also heard the six year rule, but as far as I could understand, that is saying don't install tires that are more than 6 years old, which makes sense.

 

Bro, tire life is 6 years and you need to change them after that, even if you have 80% tread left.

 

Totally, bro!

 

If you see dry rott on sidewalls of tires they have to go. The sidewalls are were the tires absorb impacts from potholes (california) and flex during turns while driving.

 

That's what I was thinking and what has me worried about these tires.

 

Six year rule. Pics are sidewall cracking, potential blowout area.
I have similar problem on my 2002 MDX with 45,000 miles but no cracks.
$800-$900 for peace of mind.

 

the one question you should always ask yourself, Would you be comfortable with your (if you had one) wife and kids in the car with those tires?

When you have cracked/dried tread, that is beyond acceptable.