Why Replace Your Tires?
Regular tire replacement is critical to driving safety. As the mileage and time of driving increase, tires wear down and the friction decreases, affecting handling and braking, and increasing the risk of skidding and flat tires. Even with infrequent use, the rubber material will deteriorate due to prolonged storage, making regular tire replacement necessary.
When tires are worn to a certain extent, there is not only a risk of skidding, but also the possibility of experiencing a blowout emergency while driving, which is a more dangerous situation than skidding. For example, in the case of Camry, according to the quality of the tires and driving habits, it is recommended that the tires be replaced after three to five years of use or when the mileage reaches 80,000 miles.
Then when purchasing new tires, you may find a set of new tires on clearance special and after a brief inspection you find that they were made 2 years ago. So, is it safe to buy new tires from these old stocks? And at what time do tires expire?
Expiration date of tires
Unused tires are recommended to be stored for a maximum of 6 years with proper storage. Beyond that time, the tire is considered unfit for use, regardless of the depth of the tread.The recommended storage period prior to 2000 was 10 years, but now the generally accepted guideline is 6 years.
Tires with deep tread are not replaced?
Many people may have more than one car at the family, similar to Toyota Yaris Sedan and Hyundai Accent, which are only used for commuting to work and driven less than 5,000km a year, so do they also need to replace the tires on a periodical basis? Cartea reminds you that many people think that there is no need to replace tires as long as the tread is still deep. However, this is not true. The rubber in tires oxidizes and dries out when exposed to various environmental factors. Even if the tread is still deep, the material of the tire will still deteriorate.
How to Slow Tire Aging?
According to Bridgestone, low mileage isn’t the problem, the key is tire aging. When a car is parked for an extended period of time, the rubber oxidizes, leading to tiny cracks. If the car is parked in the sun with no shade, the deterioration can be even worse. For this reason, it is recommended that you drive your car for short distances at least once or twice a week. This slows down tire aging by migrating antioxidants to the outer layers of the tire tread and sidewalls, creating a protective layer.
Are stock tires okay to buy?
So, if you’re on a budget or facing a tire shortage, is it possible to buy tires that were made 2 years ago? According to Cartea, the short answer is “yes”. However, if the tires were made 5 years ago, it is advisable to check if the tires have hardened before purchasing.
How to check manufacturing date?
To check the date of manufacture of tires, you can look at the four-digit DOT code on the tire, where the first two digits indicate the number of weeks of manufacture and the last two digits indicate the year.