Can I use out of date print cartridges?

[45156]

I was hunting round the other day, and came across a twin pack of HP 343 colour print cartridges which I got some time ago at a car boot when they were a little out of date - however, for some reason, I never fitted them, and they got mislaid in the melee which is my office room.

 

They are now about five years out of date, as their install by date May 2008.

 

Will they be safe to use, or will they mess up my printer in some way if I use them?

If I do use them, what is the likely outcome?

 

I do not do any colour printing of pictures - it is normally text, web pages, hard copy e-mails etc.

 

Any advice gratefully received

Stewart

[Ian J.]

I think HP should be OK as they include the print head in the cartridge. If they don't work, just get new ones as they will have a new print head anyway.