Finding out how old your tires are is a very crucial step in maintaining your driving safety. It is possible that you and your passengers might be placed in harm’s way if you are driving with a tire that is older than six years. Tires deteriorate from the inside out as they age due to dry rot. As the tire ages, it is subjected to the environment, which causes the link between the steel belts and the rubber to weaken and become less effective. This occurs because the rubber is exposed to the elements. This may lead to cracks in the rubber, some of which may be visible on the tire’s surface, while others may develop inside the structure of the tire where they are not visible. You will be able to save money on repairs and take better semi-trucke of your vehicle if you keep track of the age of your tires and keep a record of when they were purchased. Driving a vehicle with damaged tires is a highly risky endeavor that might result in a deadly crash. For tires that have been on the road for six years or more, it is strongly advised that drivers get them inspected by a qualified auto technician to determine whether or not they can still be used safely. In addition to keeping your tires in good operating order and extending their lifespan, regular tire maintenance is essential. To prevent your tires from wearing out too quickly, make sure you keep up with routine maintenance including tire rotation, tire repairs, tire balance, and wheel alignment. An imprinted coded date that indicates the year that the tire was created may be used to determine the age of the tire you now have. The sidewall of the tire is often where one may get the four-digit tire code. One of the most reliable indicators of a tire’s age is the serial number found on the sidewall. Sometimes, the serial number is also referred to as a DOT Code. This identifier provides information on who created the tire, as well as the additional tracking information, like the location and manufacturing facility where the tire was produced. It also signifies that the tire has met all of the regulatory standards that the manufacturer must have in place. DOT code 4718 is an example of a tire manufacturing DOT code.
- The first two numbers represent the week of the year.
- The year is indicated by the last two numbers.
- In this particular illustration, the tire was manufactured in the 47th week of the year 2018.
If the serial number on your tire has three digits, it means that the tire was made before the year 2000. In this case, you should consider replacing the tire regardless of the amount of wear it has. The passage of time might cause your tire to become brittle, which increases the risk of a blowout. If they are stored correctly, tires may be regarded as “fresh” and appropriate for retail sale for up to five years from the date they were produced, even if they have been used. You may remove the tire and examine the sidewall for the serial number to discover how old it is, or you can ask a service technician or someone who works in a tire store.
Every tire has an expiration date, and we strongly suggest that you get your tires inspected on a regular basis by a trained expert to ensure that they are still in a safe condition for ongoing driving. Once your tires reach the age of ten, you should replace them no matter how worn they seem, how many miles they’ve traveled, or how much wear they’ve really received.