Yoko dates

[MuddyPaws]

Does anyone know if there is a date indicator on Yoko Geo’s? Most tyres have a 4-figure number moulded in an oval on them (year and week number) but I can find this anywhere on my Yoko’s

The car is 3 1/2 years old, but I’m wondering if the tyres are much older because all four have got cracking around the tyre between the treads.

[howardsathome]

All tyres must have date codes to comply with EU and USA DOT Regulations. This will generally be on one side only, Sods Law often the Inside!
look low down just above the rim ignoring all other markings till you get to those starting DOT, followed by a string of letters and numbers denoting Factory of Origin. The last four digits give WEEK and YEAR of manufacture. eg 1616 is Week 16 of 2016.
What area of the tyre, Tread Grooves or Sidewall is showing the cracking? This can be caused by a number of factors ie High Ozone Sea Side air or High Voltage Electricity sub stations. frequently found on Industrial Sites/Business Parks etc.
Hope this helps.   

[MuddyPaws]

Thanks howardsathome; I eventually found it by crawling under the car on the driveway... some idiot put the tyres on with all the dates on the inside.

I discovered that the tyres are less than 2 years old, yet they all show cracks around the circumference in the outer and inner tread-groove! Strange that the tyres are so young, almost exactly a year younger than the car, which begs even more questions:
Why have the tyres deteriorated in such a short time? A consultation with a tyre fitter from ETB shed no light, only dismay as he he’d just fitted som Yoko’s to his own car.
Why would someone change the tyres when only a year old - unless they put the cracked ones on to sell it?
The car has lived its life in Barnsley, Yorkshire so no sea-side air there.

Why do electro-magnetic fields from electricity sub-stations or high voltages cause tyres to deteriorate ?

[howardsathome]

To answer your last question first, anywhere with high ozone concentration. Transformers put out ozone and it is not unknown for vehicles to be parked next to a sub station for periods. In the bad old days of 'Grey Imports', there were many cases of cracked tyres on 'New' vehicles, particularly Mitsubishi Pajeros (Shogun) ex Cyprus Docks. Very hot temperatures and high ozone.
Never aware of it with Mazda though.
My 2013 CX-5 is still on original Yokohamas, 40,000 miles, swapped front to back at 20,000 and now due for change.
Any idea of your vehicle's history?

[howardsathome]

A further couple of points, what are the sidewalls like and what are the tread depths remaining and current vehicle mileage please.

[MuddyPaws]

Thanks howardsathome. The cars done 25k and is just over 3 1/2 years old, but the cracked tyres are younger than this. The cars got a tow bar so has been used to tow something (don’t know if this makes a difference?). The side walls of the tyres look fine, no marks/cracks at all, just all the way around the innermost and outermost tyre groove. The cars lived its life around Barnsley in Yorkshire and been regularly serviced at a Mazda dealer.

[howardsathome]

Hi MuddyPaws
Every tyre tells a story.
If it is possible to measure the tread depths of in each tyre, (with their position on the car) of the 4 grooves ouside/inner two, and inside, it would be of considerable help to try to get to the bottom of this.
You could try a 'free tyre check' from a local trusted tyre dealer perhaps. Not one just trying for a sale.
Or back to the Mazda dealer. Does the the history show if and when tyres were changed?
If there is more than 4mm remaining on all tyres that are cracking you may have a claim against Yokohama.
If you can provide any of this data here for me I will be more than happy to comment.

[MuddyPaws]

Thanks howardsathome. I’m away on business for a few days but should be able to post the tyre tread depths towards the end of the week. All 4 have plenty of tread, especially the 2 on the back, but I’ll post the actual depths in a few days.

[howardsathome]

Thanks, look forward to it.

[MuddyPaws]

Hi howardsathome. The tyre depth measurements in millimetres are as follows:
Front nearside: inside 5, middle 5, outside 5
Front offside: inside 4.5, middle 4.5, outside 5
Rear nearside: inside 6, middle 5, outside 5.5
Rear offside: inside 6, middle 6, outside 6

I look forward to your diagnosis 

[howardsathome]

Sorry MuddyPaws,
I have been away and had missed your posting.
it is clear that there should not be a cracking problem on your tyres.
As I suggested get an assessment from a local friendly tyre dealer, and any history from your Mazda Dealer and make a warranty claim against Yokohama.
Please keep me informed on response.

[MuddyPaws]

Thanks howardsathome. Thought you might have some ideas about what’s caused it. The tyres were obviously changed on the car before I bought it as the tyres are younger than the car. Quite why the tyres were changed is a mystery - given the 24k on the clock, perhaps the previous owners kept 5he better original tyres and put some rubbish ones back on to trade it in.

[howardsathome]

Hi MuddyPaws,
That doesn't fit the evidence. The date is recent, the Tread Depths are considerably less than half worn.
Are they Yokohama Geolander G98 102V.
In which case you have a warranty claim against Yokohama via any Tyre Dealer.
At the very least you should be due a rebate around 60/70%, on the basis that they were not fit for the purpose.

[MuddyPaws]

Yes, Geolandar G98 102V Where is the information about Yoko warranties - I’ve looked on their uk web site and can’t find anything?

[Willpower]

Try this  ...  https://www.yokohamatire.com/owners-circle/warranty