Nothing lasts forever, including the tyres fitted to your vehicle. They are manufactured by bonding rubber to fabric plies plus steel cords. This then creates a durable structure suited to everyday driving. However, the rubber still deteriorates over time, even with anti-ageing ingredients mixed into its compounds. In fact, tyre age sometimes becomes a concern before the tread has completely worn out. The question is, how old is too old for a tyre?
Why Does Tyre Age Matter?
Before considering a tyre’s acceptable age, it is important to recognise how deterioration develops over time. Since tread depth only shows visible wear, it will not give the complete picture of tyre condition. For this reason, it is important to check other signs of deterioration alongside the tread depth.
Tyres Deteriorate Beyond the Tread
Despite having plenty of tread remaining, age-related deterioration may still develop inside the tyre. Things like continued exposure to oxygen or sunlight will affect the rubber material of the tyre. Consequently, cracks or other signs of deterioration also have the tendency to appear before the tread has reached its wear limit.
Rubber Hardens Over Time
A tyre depends on flexible rubber to absorb road imperfections. However, the compound slowly hardens as the tyre gets older. As such, there will be less cushioning available. This will allow more vibration plus road noise to enter the vehicle.
Grip Becomes Less Reliable
As the rubber loses flexibility, the tyre will not be able to adapt to the road as effectively. This then affects traction when the vehicle accelerates or turns. This reduction in grip is often more noticeable on wet roads.
Braking Distances Increase
Old or worn tyres are also the culprit behind increased braking distances. As such, the reduced tread depth allows water to remain beneath the tyre. In wet conditions, such loss of traction will increase the distance needed to stop.
How to Tell the Age of Tyres
Found within the identification markings on a tyre’s sidewall is a four-digit manufacturing code. This code explains how to find tyre age, with the complete marking sometimes appearing only on the inner sidewall. It is often referred to as the DOT code.
These tyre dates actually follow a simple format. The first two digits reflect the week of manufacture. The final two show the year. A code of 4617, for example, shows that the tyre was made during the 46th week of 2017. In comparison, 2422 indicates production during the 24th week of 2022.
Most importantly, this number shows when the tyre was manufactured. The date code provides a more accurate indication of tyre age than the purchase or installation date.
Is There a Tyre Age Limit?
In reality, there is no fixed expiry date that will apply to every tyre. This is because its condition will vary with use plus storage. Aside from that, manufacturer recommendations are useful in giving guidance on tyre age limits. As such, these will support better planning for professional inspections or replacement.
Five Years Signals the Need for Inspection
Many tyre manufacturers actually advise annual professional checks once tyres reach five years of use. This is because tyre ageing is not always visible from the outside. Some changes develop within the tyre over time.
Reaching five years will not always require the immediate replacement of your tyres. Rather, their age will make regular checks for cracks or rubber hardening more important.
Ten Years Marks the Recommended Maximum
While five years marks the point for annual professional inspections, ten years is the recommended maximum age for replacement. This guidance will also apply to spare tyres. Their age should receive the same consideration as tyres currently fitted to the vehicle.
After all, the spare’s rubber material will continue to deteriorate even without regular road use. Similarly, heat plus oxygen will gradually harden the compounds. Moreover, long periods of storage could lead to them cracking. Having a full tread does not guarantee that a tyre is ready for an emergency. Such kind of hidden damage or hardened rubber could make it unsafe to use. This is why by checking its production date, you can ensure the spare is ready when needed.
Replacement Will Sometimes Be Needed Earlier
Ten years is only the recommended maximum age, never a guaranteed lifespan for every tyre. Damage or low tread will make earlier tyre replacement necessary. Meanwhile, the vehicle owner’s manual are also able to provide guidance specific to the model. An inspection from a tyre professional will provide a more dependable assessment of an older tyre.
When Is Tyre Replacement Necessary?
Since tread depth decreases through regular driving, every tyre will reach the point where replacement becomes necessary. Look for the following signs:
- Tread wear bars: Raised strips sit within the main tread grooves. When these bars become flush with the surrounding tread, a tyre replacement is due.
- Abnormal tread wear: An alignment or mechanical issue could be the reason behind a heavier wear in certain areas.
- Sidewall bulges: A bulge or blister indicates damage within the tyre structure. This situation must be inspected promptly by a tyre professional.
- Repeated pressure loss: A tyre that regularly becomes underinflated might already have a damage.
- Sudden vibration: New vibrations or changes in ride quality could indicate tyre damage or a mechanical problem.
When your tyres are no longer roadworthy, neither is your vehicle. It is important to note that even the safest driving habits cannot compensate for tyres in poor condition. Worn tyres are able to affect how quickly your vehicle stops, increasing the risk of a crash. Do not wait for a dangerous moment to reveal that your tyres needed replacing.
Time for a Fresh Set?
Replacing your tyres might seem like one more job on the to-do list, but nothing matters more than keeping you, your passengers and other motorists safe on the road. When your tyres are showing their age or wear, drop into your local Tyrepower store or send us an enquiry online. Our team will help you choose the right tyres for your vehicle from our extensive range, so you can drive away with confidence.
