Date code on Michelin XWX tires

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JohnLiles
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Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#1 Post by JohnLiles »

I think the attached pic shows date code on my tires , all 5 ( including spare ! ) are the same.

Only seeing 3 digits in the last ( rhs) number within the label that starts with the DOT code.....ie 068

My other car with these same XWX tires has a 4 digit code.....

So the internet tells me 3 digit code is before 2000......its a Y2K knock-on effect on the tire date code !

So does this mean the tire was made in 6th month of 1980 ???

No wonder the grip not good on cornering and braking ( loads of tread however )
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xwx.jpg
1957 'A' and 1955 'Continental Outlaw'

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David Jones
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#2 Post by David Jones »

Could be 78, 88 or 98. No matter, they were made before 2000 so they are junk except maybe for a trailer queen that does not have oil in the engine. Going anywhere on these tires is risking damage to the car at the least. I would imagine that with each day that passes the risk of a tire just deflating or worse still, blows out, increases exponentially with every passing minute.
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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Brad Ripley
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#3 Post by Brad Ripley »

As you probably have read, for tires manufactured before the year 2000, there is no identifier as to whether your 068 code is for 1980s or 1990s. The XWX was out of production for many years. So, John, it's time for new tires! BTW, Coke Tire has the XWX back in production see https://www.cokertire.com/185-70vr15-michelin-xwx.html

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Jules Dielen
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#4 Post by Jules Dielen »

yikes. Time for new rubber! I'm sure you can find XWX or a nice set of Vredestein sprint classics in the UK as well.
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JohnLiles
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#5 Post by JohnLiles »

They still look good !!
It explains why I was struggling to keep up on a spirited drive following an SC on twisty up and down roads....was having to take corners with care and leave good braking distance....like when a race drivers tires go off in Formula 1 :(
1957 'A' and 1955 'Continental Outlaw'

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Pascal Giai
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#6 Post by Pascal Giai »

John
if I may ask, what size XWX and what size rim are you using ?

Pascal

Jan Kolm
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#7 Post by Jan Kolm »

Sixth week of 1998. The triangle to the right of the date code was only used on tires manufactured between 1990-1999.
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Jules Dielen
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#8 Post by Jules Dielen »

JohnLiles wrote:They still look good !! (
That is what i thought about the ancient tires on my Samba until the tread separated on the right front. Play it safe and replace them asap please, it's not worth the risk imo.
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David Jones
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#9 Post by David Jones »

The reason I was able to acquire my 59 cab was because of old tires. The driver hit the brakes at a stop sign and the wheels locked up and the car slid into the intersection and got hit by another vehicle in the right front. The tires were French made tubed Michelin stop tread and they were close to 20 years old and had the pliability of concrete.
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1 - Cabriolet - damaged front right.jpg
If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
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Steve Raucher
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#10 Post by Steve Raucher »

Replace ASAP,
I can speak from experience you don't want to spin around or worse.
At only about $75-100 a tire the feeling of new shoes on your ride will be exceptional.
Steve
 

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#11 Post by Doug McDonnell »

I replaced the 24 year old tires that were on the 65 Outlaw I bought and it made a world of difference.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Jay Wiener
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#12 Post by Jay Wiener »

I just bought a brand new set of xwx tires for my 300sel 6.3 mercedes from Cooker Tire. They're not cheap! But they are correct.

Tim Berardelli
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#13 Post by Tim Berardelli »

Only the Smithsonian has older tires-and those are on static displays!

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JohnLiles
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Re: Date code on Michelin XWX tires

#14 Post by JohnLiles »

pascal giai wrote:John
if I may ask, what size XWX and what size rim are you using ?

Pascal
Hi Pascal , standard 356C wheels , 15 inch diameter x 4.5 inch wide rims , and 165x15 Michelin XWX tires.
The car is a '55 and would have come with 16 inch diameter wheels and drum brakes , but they were long gone when I got it.
1957 'A' and 1955 'Continental Outlaw'

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