Tires are one of the key elements to safely getting out on the road and checking the tread is not the only way to make sure they are still good. Did you know that it’s possible to see how old the tires are and where they were manufactured?
Tire quality is very important, and checking your tire’s tread before getting on the road could be the difference between life and death; but did you know there is more to your tire’s health than its tread?
If you’ve been tuning in to The Drive with Alan Taylor, you may have heard about the seven-year-old set of tires Alan has sitting around in his garage; the age gave him reason for pause. On average, a tire can last three to four years with 12,000 – 15,000 miles annually due to their degrading rubber compound. Most tires wear thin before reaching this milestone, but if your vehicle doesn’t see much action (like an RV or a trailer) age could be an issue. As tires approach the end of their life the rubber will start to break down and crack, contributing negatively to the handling and drivability of your chariot.
Never make an uninformed purchase! If you’re looking into buying a used car or set of tires, be sure to check the tires’ manufacture date. Luckily, tire manufacturers are required by the Department of Transportation (DOT) to stamp week and year of production into the side of every tire (seen below).
If you feel like taking the old relic in your driveway for a joyride or buying your neighbors 2014 pick-up, be sure take a minute and check tire age, even if the tread looks fresh. Taking this small step could keep you, and others, safe on the road.
Listen to the interview with automotive journalist Jason Fogelson on THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor here:
The interview begins at [1:18:07] – 2018 Land Rover Discovery, The Bandit Run, and Tesla
