If this isn't the right section for this inquiry I apologize. I recently just purchased 2 new back tires after having a tread separation in an old one going down the highway. Both new ones are Wrangler Radials 235 75 15. I noticed on the back right one there seems to be a lot of flaking off of thin, thinner than paper even, rubber pieces. I don't know if it has something to do with when they raised the letters or not. The other side has a bit of flaking on it but nowhere near as much as the right. I will attach some pictures but they make it look a bit worse than it actually is. I am pretty sure it is superficial and isn't anything that is going to affect performance but I am wondering if anybody has had their new tires do this?

 

Keep in mind that rubber deterioates with age-Please learn how to to read tire codes as well!The date of manufacture is stamped on the tire!All these codes are available on the tires web!

 

I may be reading it wrong but I'm pretty sure the 1012 on the tire means it was made in the 10th week of 2012 which would make sense as I just purchased them from wal-mart on the 31st of last month. Therefore they are not old tires by any means.

 

It is a protectant that washes off with a brush and some water, nothing to worry about

 

That is exactly what I saw. Just take a brush & water & clean up the coating that is used to protect the white lettering during shipping. Why the dealer that sold & mounted them didn't do it is beyond me.

 

Those flakes are just excess rubber from hen the tire was made. My new tires have the same thing.

Oh and yes i believe you are reading the date correctly

 

Thank you all for the replies. I am going to try and take it to the car wash and use the tire brush on em soon. It is pretty dirty from dust and pollen anyways, so it could use a good bath. :-P