The average beyond.ca reader spends a lot more time on the maintenance of their vehicles than most people. Reading the forums you’ll see people asking for advice on new tires, and checking and comparing to see what brand offers the best bang for the buck. What is worrysome is that while these car enthusiasts try their best to ensure their tires are replaced when the tread depth gets too low and that they are properly inflated, there is still one danger they are overlooking.

A recent study and investigation in the US has found that many tire retailers–mostly automotive branches of stores like Walmart and Sears–were selling old tires. These tires that were being sold to the public were up to 12 years old, giving the buyer a false sense of security. Due to years of drying out, the tread on these tires will not take much driving to eventually separate from the rest of the tire causing a blow out and likely an accident. In the video below, you’ll see that even someone that is expecting a blow out cannot safely control the vehicle.

The good news is that there is a way to find out when a tire was manufactured. On the sidewall of the tire is a Department of Transportation number. On some tires this number is only printed on the inside wall of the tire making it hard to locate if it is already mounted on your vehicle. At the end of the cryptic sequence of numbers is a 3 or 4 digit number. The first two numbers is the week # and the last 2 digits are the year. If you have a tire with a 3 digit number, you have a tire made in the 90s!

Examples:

2108 - 21st week of 2008
3702 - 37th week of 2002
459 - 45th week of 1999

If you have a set of tires that are more than 6 years old, it is strongly recommended that you replace them as they are past their designed lifespan. The rubber has lost its flexibility and even if there is plenty of tread, the tire will not perform as it supposed to. Worse case scenario, with extended driving distances the tire may even blow out causing a crash.