How Old Are Tires on Your Car
How Old Are Tires on Your Car: Tires are most important when it comes to driving safely, just as important as brakes or steering. We are used to immediately go for tread depth to identify if tires are good or not. True, tread depth is important but there are other factors too.
Deeper tire tread translates into more friction between a tire and pavement, therefore traction is improved. In winter time tread depth will make a real difference especially when braking.
Tire Age
There is something else though very few care to bother with: Tire age and/or production date. Tires are not ageless; they will age just as a car will. Tires older than 6 years are considered unsafe and should be replaced.
Generally speaking, places with hot and dry climate have a tire shorter lifespan than those with cooler and humid climate.
Tires Have an Expiration Date
Typically tires will not be used if they are older than 7 years. Department of Transportation (USA) indicates 7 years as a limit for tire age. Transport Canada says more or less the same.
Also, car manufacturers recommend more or less the same regarding tire age and production date. Winter tires are even more prone to ageing as rubber composition begins to harden and traction will suffer greatly.
Winter tires are generally used in more dangerous conditions such as Winter driving and age of tires will be one of determining factors on tire grip capabilities. Fresh softer rubber more grip, hard old rubber less grip.
How to Check the Age of Your Tires
Its very easy to check tire age. All tires have a “DOT” number imprinted on sidewall. DOT stands for Department of Transportation (USA) and ensures tires are compliant with safety regulations and requirements. DOT number contains week and year of production.
DOT is made up of letters and numbers, like this as an example: DOT – 22TA-037X – 24/18 would mean tire was produced 24th week of 2018. Last four numbers indicate week and year of production. Rest of digits indicate location of manufacturer and manufacturers code.
Image above shows a DOT 1219, production date is 12 week of 2019.
How Old Are Tires on Your Car
Sometimes you don’t see a DOT number on sidewall. That’s because manufacturers are not required to put DOT number on both tire sidewalls. You need to look at inner sidewall in this case to find DOT number. Now, might as well take a look at your used car and check how old your tires are.
(If you are also looking for a fast and easy solution to sell your car, more here on “How To Sell Your Car Fast In Ontario” )
Comments: If you have any questions or suggestions related to this post or Used Car Toronto in general, don’t hesitate to use comment section below.
