Tires: have them expiration date?

The first thing is to establish that the expiration date is not the same as the life of a tire. The tires do not have an established expiration date, however, it must be taken into account that they are manufactured with different types of materials whose properties are essential for their proper functioning and that these properties evolve over time (depending on factors such as weather conditions, storage, use, etc.) conditioning their useful life to the point of being necessary to replace them. 

These aging factors vary so much that it is impossible to predict exactly what the lifespan of a tire begins at the moment it is installed in the vehicle. Therefore, in addition to a periodic accompaniment by the user, this accompaniment must also be done by a qualified professional who will determine the ability of the tire to continue in use. The greater the “age” of the tire, the greater the probability that it will be necessary to replace it, due to such aging. 

Once installed, beyond the visual and pressure inspections, it is only after 5 years of rolling that the tires must undergo a thorough review by a specialist, to determine if it is necessary to change them. This verification must be carried out once a year until the tires are replaced, regardless of mileage and provided that the depth of their tread grooves is not below 1.6 mm (legal limit). 

As a precaution, even if your condition seems acceptable and not having reached the legal limit, in2tires recommends replacing tires that have reached 10 years old from the date of manufacture. This 10-year limit is calculated from the date on the DOT marking. 

To know the date of manufacture of a tire you just have to observe its flank and look for the four figures that accompany the DOT (Department of Transportation): the first two refer to the week of manufacture and the last two to the year in which they were manufactured , for example, 1816: week 18 of the year 2016.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

To ensure that a tire is in optimal condition at the time of being mounted in our car it is essential that the period of storage of the tire from its manufacture, until the placement has been under ideal conditions.

In2tires recommends that for long periods of storage the tires be stored:

● In a ventilated, dry place with a warm temperature, avoiding direct sunlight and weather.

● Away from any chemical, solvent or hydrocarbon that can alter the rubber.

● Away from any object that could penetrate the rubber (metal tip, wood, ..)

● Away from sources of heat with flame or incandescent and any device that may cause sparks or electric shock (battery charger, welding device ...). Avoid crushing the tires with other objects. Accessories must also be stored in their original packaging, on surfaces that do not present risks of cutting, tearing or perforation. In all cases, for the handling of tires and their accessories, non-aggressive instruments and materials must be used for the tires. Operators must wear their usual protective equipment when handling them.

For short-term storage (up to 4 weeks)

When the height allows storage in batteries, make sure that the tires do not deform. The tires should be placed on top of each other, preferably on pallets. The height of the batteries must not exceed 1.20m. When mounted on the tire, the tires should be stored inflated, in an upright position and without stacking.

For long term storage

The tires must be stacked vertically on shelves located at least 10 cm from the ground. To prevent them from becoming deformed, it is advisable to rotate them slightly once a month.

Asked about this issue, Carlos Spinazzola Responsible for Product Marketing at Michelin Argentina, said "Although there are some myths, the tires do not expire. They have no expiration date and their useful life will depend mainly on the conditions of use to which they were subjected. The life of a tire begins when installed in the vehicle.

The DOT date that many talk about, is the date of manufacture of the tire and has no direct relationship with the "age" of the tire. What does matter when calculating the age of the tire is its assembly date.

Studies conducted in South Korea and Germany conclude that there are no differences in performance between newly manufactured tires versus tires stored for three years. The professional standards for storing decks must be followed, very demanding in terms of the physical positioning of the units, the cleanliness of the facilities, ventilation, temperature and humidity.

Then, it is during its use, when the tire is subjected to high stresses and rolling conditions (weather, soil, impacts, constant stresses) and other conditions that do not exist during storage. Therefore, a tire ages significantly once it has been installed.

Once installed, beyond the visual and pressure inspections, it is only after 5 years of rolling that the tires must undergo a thorough review by a specialist, to determine if it is necessary to change them. This verification must be carried out once a year until the tires are replaced, beyond the mileage and provided that the tread channels are not below a depth of 1.6 mm (which would confirm the end of their life ). Reaching 10 years of its manufacturing date, if it is advisable to replace the vehicle tire but simply for a matter of caution, regardless of mileage, visual appearance or maintenance. "

Remember: The most important date is NOT the date of manufacture of the tires (located in the DOT), but the date of installation in the vehicle.

vs Oct 2021