Old tires - How to tell tire age.

[AceOfSpades]

I hope this will help future tire buyers,
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897


The age is determined by this number


15 stands for the 15th week
9 stands for 1999

if the digit says (1505) Then it means it's the 15th week of 2005

[Romaz]

Good find man, I've always wondered what that DOT number on my tires meant.

[bmwm5lover]

Interesting. Mine are '06.

[Fel]

Wow, really interesting, I had no idea.... I'll have to go check mine now!

[Raging Lamb]

holy crap. that's disturbing, that they know about this and don't tell you.

[europrince]

Wow, thanks for that heads up! I didn't know what that DOT number is for

[mirek]

My tires on the e30 are from 1996, havne't checked the e36 yet, my spare from the e36 is 1993

[Fel]

Originally Posted by mirek

My tires on the e30 are from 1996, havne't checked the e36 yet, my spare from the e36 is 1993

Wow dude, you're gonna die.

[davericher20]

Originally Posted by mirek

My tires on the e30 are from 1996, havne't checked the e36 yet, my spare from the e36 is 1993

I sell Life Insurance, do Investments and Legal stuff, Let me help you get your house in order before you die.

[davericher20]

And I think mine is on the inside of the tire, cause there's no number or anything I can find. I'm gonna be buying 8 tires in the spring too. I will be freaking if it's not 2008 or newer.

[SickFinga]

I knew about the year, but had no idea that tires expire.

I don't understand why those reporters emphasize so much on that a 2001 tire can not be brand new.

My spare in a 520i was made in 94, it was never used, still has a BMW tire sticker on it.

[mirek]

Rubber can go bad when it's sitting on a shelf, when a tire is being driven on, it typically won't crack or harden like a tire on a shelf.

Regardless, i should be changing my tires

[Gamite]

When tires are made, they are made through vulcanization. This process cannot be stopped, only slowed down. This is why rubber gets hard after they get older.

Mirek, it doesn't go hard because you are constatly driving on it, wearing the outer layer off.

[Bullet Ride]

look in your owners manuals.
I can't specifically remember the interval, but you should replace tires every 6 years (if your tires last you that long), even if they are unused.
You can use it as an excuse to do some smokey burnouts.

[5style]

can t wait to see my winter rubber. I think its time for smoke!