Are Your New Car Tires Old?

[leehljp]

Here is an eye opener for me. I never gave it much thought. Many tires are sold as new, and are new - as in unused - except that they may be 4 to 8 years old before being sold.

Click here for a video.

Tires are dated by a numbering system that lists the week of the year that it was made along with a 2 number for year - except if made in the '90's it will only have 1 number corresponding to the year.

 

[Rick_G]

Lot of truth in that. Saw this on TV a couple years ago and immediately thought of the set of tires I bought for my van a few years ago and less than a year later they were deemed unsafe. the rubber had hardened to the point it was just like stone. I check the date label on all tires before I let them put them on the car now.

 

[tim self]

Thanks for enlightening folks to this Hank. I was in the business for 22yrs (retail) and it's something most people don't even consider. Could this have been a reason for Firestones' failures? It really isn't a problem except with new vehicles and small tire shops.

 

[workinforwood]

No, I was not aware of that Hank. I was thinking re-treads, but a re-tread has to be sold as a re-tread, not as "New". I do know that a re-tread is better than a new tire. You know most of the "Gators" you see on the highways are actually from brand new tires, not from re-treaded tires. A re-tread is less likely to lose it's skin. A re-tread will wear better than a new tire as well. And they are of course cheaper to buy. It all makes sense too. If you are on an airplane, they only use re-treads. Because the tires have so many miles on them, the rubber and metal is wore in. Old shoes are always more comfy than new ones.

 

[jasontg99]

Hank,

Thanks for the info. I was getting new tires when I got back to the states, this is great info to have.

 

[DurocShark]

Thanks for enlightening folks to this Hank. I was in the business for 22yrs (retail) and it's something most people don't even consider. Could this have been a reason for Firestones' failures? It really isn't a problem except with new vehicles and small tire shops.

Firestones were failing because the Ford recommended pressure was below the safe rating for the tires.

 

[bkersten]

I just checked mine I got mid Jan and must have hit a freshly made batch- made 0110. I usually check that date at purchase but missed it this year.

 

[woodchip]

I work in a tire manufacturing facility and you are correct that they are dated by week and year. As many tires that are produced in a day with the exception of maybe some specialty tires i couldn't imagine some being sold years later. not saying it doesn't happen though.