Michelin TRX Tires

For the DOT explanation, go here.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/brochure.html#dotcode


Ok, after 1999 all tires had 3 or four digit codes indicating week and year of manufacture. Prior to that they had a three digit code indicating week and year of manufacture.

Since 128 148 and 168 can't be week 12, 14 and 16 1968, nor can they be be week 12 2008, they must be pre 2000 manufacture, probably replacement tires manufactured in 1988 week 12, 14 and 16 respectively. But could be 1978 tires, too.

The alpha numeric codes represent, I think, the plant at which the tires were manufactured.

Either way, too old for driving on, as they clearly do not fall into the five years old or less rule that I've seen bandied about here.

DM

 

Call Michelin customer service and they will tell you. When I bought my 1982 308 a few years ago, I learned that it still had the ORIGINAL rubber on it. No wonder the darn car rode like a tin can! Those tires are in my attic now if anyone wants 'em. I kept them to corroberate my 308's low mileage, but the new owner couldn't care less, so I left them in the attic.

 

Yeah, those OLD tires and wacko rims... no one wanted mine, even for a low $500+shipping (shipping was about $200+) for all four so i just threw them out. Got tired of them sitting around here.

 

220s are the wrong size for a Mondial anyway. They should be 240/55.

 

I agree with Birdman. The tires that came with my '84 Mondial are TRX's, 245/50-390s. They are like truck tires IMHO. The car rides and handles much better with the Gotti 16" wheels and Yokohama tires I put on.

Be very careful with old tires. Just because they are "new" or nearly new, doesn't mean they are safe. Rubber ages, whether being used or not. You should check and find out for sure when those tires were manufactured. If they truly are old, don't do it. You don't want a tire coming apart at 100 mph (or even 70 mph, for that matter).
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TRXs were 'top of the line" tires back when they were new. I would go ahead and get new TRXs from www.cokertire.com I recently replaced the 22 year old TRXs on my BB512i and it drived like a new car.

 

My apologies but... does it drive like a 'new' 22 year old car or like a new, NEW car? The TRX has been LONG superceded by Michelin, Goodyear, Yokohama, etc.

For the extreme price for the TRX one could invest in normal rims and then use less expensive, better rubber (such as Mich Pilot Sport PS2). Another benefit of new rims, you can get larger rims (not bling) to help improve handling.

 

You could, but why? The TRXs will keep the car stock for concours and will perform as well as or likely better than the average driver is willing to push his 23 year old Ferrari anyway. As far as my Boxer with new TRXs, it now drives as a new Boxer was designed to drive in 1982 which is fine with me. If I wanted a "new" car drive, I would have bought a new 575.

 

Agreed, I researched a modern tire/wheel combo to replace my knockoffs but couldn't cost justify going that route. My Tr is not a track car and never will be and for 99 percent of the driving I do the TRX's will do. So unless I push the car constantly to the limit which isn't practical or wise, going to a larger wheel shorter sidewall combo would be for 'bling' effect only. For the other 1 percent of the time I'll just back off a bit and remember I have 'only' TRX's

 

220/55-390 are std front size for the 3.2 Mondi, 240/55-390 std for the rear. Running 240 on the front may exaccerbate any steering heaviness at low speeds & parking.