Was wondering how long tires can sit without being used before they become unsafe to drive on? Said car in question has been sitting outside and covered for a year or more. At this point, are the tires toast?

 

If the car never moved for one year, best bet is the tires are flatspotted. Probably safe enough to drive to your nearest Allied discount tire.

You should also check everything else under the hood. Look for dry rotted hoses and fluid levels. Hopefully the guy/girl drained the gas tank and changed the oil.

 

Haha, negatory ghost rider. That'll be the "stage 1" of getting up and running again. Oy!

 

what about tires that arent mounted on a car? like sitting in my closet....

So far word goes that to keep them from dry rotting you spray them with water every once in a while.. which i have with a mister once a week...

can anyone confirm this?

 

spray them with wd 40 to keep the pours open

-garrett

 

He can't even remember if it's been sitting a year or two years. So I'm pretty sure those mofo's are dumpster material.

 

Pretty much any tire that has been sitting on a car for that long is toast. Dry rot and flat spots are inevitable when this sort of "care" has been inflicted upon a car. You cannot drive on flat spots unless you want to totally demolish your suspension or have some sort of death wish.

As far as mechanicals...make sure you change all the fluids, even the blinker fluid. I'm sure the fuel filter(s) will be toast. Also check for moisture in the interior. Lots of times even in sealed cars moisture will build from the changing temperatures and mold will start growing. Look under the carpets and "follow your nose". Where there is moisture and mold, there is surely the early stages of rust.

What kind of car is this, and where is it?

 

Haha, it's at our secret used car lot at the house. It's very similar to your elder brothers car.