While theres no federally sanctioned safety guidance on when a tire is too old to be safe, many carmakers recommend replacement at six years from the date of manufacture. Old tires have been the culprit in fatal accidents. An analysis of the used tire revealed that it was nearly 10 years old.

How old can car tires be and still be safe?

It may be tentative, but tires do have an expiration date. 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.

How do you know if your tires are too old?

1:132:25How to tell if your old tires are too old - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhich is why its important for consumers to check the date stamped on every tire. Theres fourMoreWhich is why its important for consumers to check the date stamped on every tire. Theres four digits theyre the first two or the week and the second two are the last two digits of the year.

Do tires harden as they age?

When tires get old, the rubber loses is elasticity (gets hard) and then when the tire heats up, the tread tends to blow right off. Also, it doesnt matter whether or not the tire has been exposed to the elements, the rubber still gets hard over time.

Should 5 year old tires be replaced?

We recommend replacing tires aged 6-10 years, no matter how much tread remains. When it comes to replacing tires, things can be a little unpredictable. Mileage, condition and routine maintenance all contribute to the tires safety and usability. You should replace them if you think they may have compromised integrity.

What is the average lifespan of a tire?

As a general rule, the original tires on a new vehicle or quality replacement tires should last up to 50,000 miles. However, many factors will have a significant impact on any tires life and may substantially shorten its life expectancy.

Are 10 year old snow tires safe?

engineered wrote: If they look in OK shape then theyre most likely OK. My current winter tires are 10 year old, but actually about to replace them as the tread is getting low. Theyre almost certainly still better than all seasons. ottofly wrote: The tires are fine put them to use.

Does Rubber get harder with age?

When tires get old, the rubber loses is elasticity (gets hard) and then when the tire heats up, the tread tends to blow right off. The industry standard useable age limit for tires is 6 years, and we know of no manufacturer that will warranty any tire older than that.

Do tires expire?

It seems today almost everything has an expiry date and that includes your tires. 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.

How often should you rotate tires?

every 7,500 miles About every 7,500 miles or 6 months. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that you get your tires rotated approximately every 7,500 miles or six months. However, some vehicles are exceptions and its always best to refer to your owners manual. This number can change depending on how, where, and what you drive.

Can I use old winter tires in summer?

If you use winter tires in summer, another thing to know is that youll end up paying more for fuel. On warm pavement, the rolling resistance of a winter tire is substantially higher than a summer or all-season tire. Thats because the softer rubber compound changes shape more.

How can you tell if tires need to be replaced?

0:161:35How Do I Know Its Time to Replace My Tires? - YouTubeYouTube

Do you need an alignment after replacing all 4 tires?

A wheel alignment isnt necessary when you have new tires installed, but its a really (like, really) good idea. An alignment helps ensure that all four tires are correctly angled with each other and the road. A wheel alignment can help you get more miles out of a new set of tires.

Do tires get louder as they age?

Tires that are getting to the end of their tread life may be louder since theres less rubber between the steel belts inside and the road. Unevenly worn tires are likewise noisy: When the tread loses its uniform shape, the sound-muting features built into the tread pattern get distorted.