Do Tires Have An Expiration Date?

Better Than New

00:00 - Show Open - Do Tires Have An Expiration Date?

So how long do tires last, even if they still look new and have a lot of tread left? Well that’s a great question and one we’re going to explore in today’s episode.

00:50 - INTRO

Imagine a scenario where you buy a set of tires for your car, fully intending to use them, but life happens. There's a pandemic, you end up working from home and suddenly your tires are ten years old, but still have more than half their tread left. Should you replace them?

02:55 - How Long Should A Set Of Tires Last?

Until they wear out or until they age out. And that age out thing depends on the manufacturer. Most tire makers suggest that their tires should be inspected yearly beginning at six years of age and replaced if necessary.. And virtually all tire manufacturers say that ten years is the maximum life span for their tires, regardless of mileage.

08:10 - Tires Do Not Have An Expiration Date, But They Do Have A Tire Identification Number.

The last 4-numbers of the TIN or Tire Identification Number indicate the week and year the tires were made. For example, if your tire's TIN ended in 1518, that would mean that tire was made in the 15th week of 2018

12:00 - What Is The Point Of Checking Tire Age If You Have An Inexpensive Car?

This is a podcast about used cars and trucks and I want you to be an educated consumer. Most of the vehicles I recommend are at least five-years old and many are ten or twenty years old. Some even older. That said, I think knowing the age of the tires will make you feel more confident in your purchase and it can give you some negotiating leverage during the buying process.

17:15 - Close

if you already have a car or truck, go out today and check the TIN on your tires. If you don’t know the last time your tires were changed, checking the TIN will let you know how old they are. Then make a judgment call as to if or when you want to replace them. And if you can’t afford it today, at least you will be aware that it’s something you should have on your “to-do” list.

Also, if you’re in the market for a used car, truck or SUV, be sure to check the TIN on the tires while looking the vehicle over. Don’t just rely on the person being nice and saying the tires aren’t “too old”. I have a couple of sets of tires at home that look great, but one is 10-years old and the other is 7-8 years old. I had lost track of time and wasn’t aware how old they really were, but now I am. You should be too, so check your tires!

Relevant Links:

Jay Leno Needs About 1200 Tires: https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/jay-leno-needs-about-1200-tires/

How Do I Determine The Age Of My Tires: https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/how-do-i-determine-the-age-of-my-tires?ef_id=Cj0KCQiAgqGrBhDtARIsAM5s0_l46bZRbjIewMcFuY37OnvuDrVoBfuoHp2HFfbGvroDbcVHehwm2PsaAuj1EALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!3756!3!386427243784!!!g!!&gclsrc=aw.ds&&affiliate=HM5&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgqGrBhDtARIsAM5s0_l46bZRbjIewMcFuY37OnvuDrVoBfuoHp2HFfbGvroDbcVHehwm2PsaAuj1EALw_wcB