Did you know that car tires should be changed every 6-10 years? This is something that many people do not think about while driving. Natural wear and tear of tires can lead to tires blowing out while driving. Keeping up with the expiration date of the tires on your car can help you and your car stay safe on the road. Here are three things to ask yourself to make sure that your car is road safe according to BelleTire.com:
- How old are my tires?
- How many miles should tires last?
- What is the shelf-life of a new tire?
"How old are my tires?
A tire with a DOT code of 1109 was made in the 11th week of 2009.Tires with a three-digit code were made prior to 2000 and are trickier to decode. The first two digits still tell you the week, but the third digit tells you the year in the decade that it was created. The hard part is knowing what decade that was.
How many miles should tires last?
If you drive a typical number of miles, somewhere around 12,000-15,000 miles annually, a tire's tread will wear out in three to four years, long before the rubber compound does. But if you only drive 6,000 miles a year, or have a car that you only drive on weekends, aging tires could be an issue.
What is the shelf-life of a new tire?
DOT Codes and the 6-year shelf life. As part of the DOT code (G in the tire marking above), there is a tire manufacture date stamped on the sidewall. Oddly this code is sometimes only one one sidewall so you might need to get under your car and look at the inward-facing side of the tire."
As stated by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are no specific guidelines on tire aging and it is best to take the recommendations of car-makers and tire manufacturers. Car-makers such as Nissan and Mercedes-Benz tell consumers to replace tires six years after their production date. Tire manufacturers like Continental and Michelin say that a tire can last up to 10 years, provided you get annual tire inspections after the fifth year.
No one can give an exact life-span for tires because everyone's driving habits vary. As such, keeping an eye on the age and wear of your tires can reduce the risks of blow out. Knowing what to look for is key. Always ask your mechanic to check your tires during routine tune ups and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you are not sure how old your tires are.
This information is especially important for drivers in Michigan as horrible Michigan road conditions and Michigan winters always reek havoc on vehicles.
If you are ever involved in any type of car accident resulting from expired tires, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in dealing with all types of personal injury accidents. We will work to ensure you obtain all benefits you are entitled to under Michigan law. Call us today at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.