Knowing the age of your tires is a vital part of driving safely in Fairview Heights, IL. Tires will dry rot from the inside out over time. If you have a tire that is over six years old, you could be putting yourself at risk when driving. The exposure to the elements will weaken the rubber’s connection with the steel belts over time. This might result in cracks in the rubber that can be seen on the surface of the tire as well as within its structure.
It is important to try to keep a record of the age of your tires, it will not only keep you safe but also help you save money on repairs. Continuing to drive on aged tires is incredibly dangerous and can lead to a fatal accident. It’s important to have a professional auto mechanic check all your vehicle’s tires that are six years or older to make sure they are still safe to use. Also, remember the importance of proper tire maintenance.
Telling Your Tires Age
The way to tell the age of your tires is by checking a code that is imprinted on the tire. This code will indicate when the tire was manufactured. This code is 4 digits long and is typically located on the tire sidewall. This is the best way to determine your tire’s age. This code (Occasionally referred to as a DOT code) will contain all the information you need including the tire’s manufacturer, where it was made, and more. For Example, let’s say the DOT code is 1319.
- Those first two numbers indicate the week.
- Those last two numbers indicate the year.
- This tire was made on the 13th week of 2019
If you notice that one of your tires has a 3-digit serial number, that means that it was manufactured before the year 2000, and you need to replace it regardless of its quality. Tires become brittle over time, increasing the chances they will blow out. With proper storage, a tire can remain eligible for retail sales for up to five years after the original date of manufacturing. Need to check the serial number? You will need to remove the tire or ask a professional or a tire shop to do so.
Need help checking the age of your tires? Call our team at Rowan Tires, and we can assist you with that, along with several other tire services we provide.
