To determine the age of your tires, check the last four digits of the U.S. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number stamped on the tires sidewall contains a date code that identifies the age of your tires.

Do tires have an expiration date?

Its a fact! Every tire has a date of birth – when it was manufactured – and expiry date; generally, six years from the time it rolled out of the TBS or Tire Building Machine. So, that old set of tires that have been sitting in the back of the garage are likely past their “best before” date.

Where do you find the year a tire was made?

Tires made in the United States have the DOT serial number located on the inside sidewall near the rim. The letters “DOT” are followed by eight to thirteen letters and/or numbers that identify where the tire was manufactured, tire size and the manufacturers code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured.

Why do tires expire?

The Evidence Is Clear: Tires Should Have An Expiration Date. This is because tires are made mostly of rubber, and rubber degrades with age. Sunlight, heat, ice, and general wear and tear can accelerate the breakdown of a tire.

How old should tires be when you buy them?

How Old Should New Tires Be When You Buy Them? A tire shouldnt be older than 18-months when you purchase it. Most tires are under a year old when the tire shop gets them. Thats important because the rubber starts to breakdown as soon as they roll off the manufacturers assembly line.

Can you use tires over 10 years old?

There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left.

Why do new car tires wear out so fast?

The OEM tires that came with your car cant be replaced (which is a good thing) after theyve worn out. And they will wear out much sooner than they should. This is because virtually all auto manufacturers specify very soft rubber which means they wear out too fast.

How fast do tires wear?

If you drive a typical number of miles, somewhere around 12,000-15,000 miles annually, a tires tread will wear out in three to four years, long before the rubber compound does. But if you drive much less than that, or have a car that you only drive on weekends, aging tires could be an issue.