What is the shelf life of car tyres?
Although car tyres do not have a clearly defined expiry date, there are certain general guidelines for determining a safe period of use. This is influenced by the date of manufacture, the rate of wear and tear, and the quality of the materials used in production. In this article, we set out the key information on determining the service life of car tyres and advise you on how to check whether a tyre is old, even if it appears to be in good condition.
How many years after it is manufactured does a tyre remain ‘new’?
It is generally accepted that tyres may be legally sold as new for up to five years from the date of manufacture. The condition, of course, is that,
to ensure that the tyre is not used during this period and that it is stored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. In this case, the tyre should retain its full service life.
How long can you drive on the same tyres?
The average service life of a tyre is 5–6 years. At the same time, it is generally accepted that a tyre should be taken out of service within 10 years of manufacture. This also applies to tyres that have not been used, even if they show no significant signs of wear, such as a worn-down tread. Tyre replacement in Warsaw This is therefore essential in the case of old tyres, as it is a natural consequence of the degradation processes occurring in the rubber compounds.
How can you tell how old your tyres are?
Every tyre should bear a special marking provided by its manufacturer. This should be located on the sidewall of the tyre and take the form of a special code consisting of a sequence of numbers and digits. We are most interested in the last four digits, which should indicate the year the tyre was manufactured and the week in which it was produced. For example, the sequence of digits <1022> means that the tyre was manufactured in the 10th week of 2022.
How can you effectively extend the life of your tyres?
Taking proper care of your tyres is the best way to ensure your car’s safety whilst driving and to extend the expected lifespan of your tyres. Drivers interested in this topic should, first and foremost:
- check your tyre pressure, ideally every two or three weeks, to prevent uneven tread wear,
- Have your wheels balanced regularly, particularly if you notice any typical symptoms, such as a wobble whilst driving,
- check the toe and alignment of the suspension, which will ensure that each tyre wears correctly and evenly,
- avoid aggressive driving and other undesirable behaviours: sudden acceleration, braking or drifting, which accelerate tread wear and also pose a risk of the tyre overheating,
- Store tyres correctly during the off-season, in a cool, dark place that is free from damp, in the position and arrangement recommended by the manufacturer.