I had this exact old age problem buying tires online recently. I ordered
a set of 4 tires. 2 came a few days later and 2 more a few days after
that. I did not like the looks of the last 2 so I looked at the date
codes. They were 7 years old!

The online store tried to tell me this was ok but I returned them.
Michelin customer support told me they were too old, but not in so many
words.

Mark

The Bus Depot wrote:
>......... There is also the issue of old stock, which has
> been mentioned on this list before. Tires have a shelf life; they are prone
> to sidewall cracking, etc. as they age. Vanagon-appropriate tires tend to be
> slow movers (they fit few other vehicles), and depending on where you buy
> them, your tires may already be several years old when sold to you as new.
> There is info in the archives on checking the date codes on tires.
>
> - Ron Salmon
>   The Bus Depot, Inc.
>   www.busdepot.com
>