How Long Can Tires Be Stored Before They Are Considered Stock Tires?
2 Answers
Normally, tires that have been stored for more than one year can be considered stock tires. In fact, there is a set of numbers on the sidewall of the tire, where the last four digits represent the manufacturing date—the first two digits indicate the week of the year, and the last two digits represent the year. By calculating this, you can determine whether the tire is a stock tire. More details about tires are as follows: 1. Tires are rubber products, and their storage is affected by humidity and temperature. Rubber is sensitive to environmental temperature and humidity, and over time, aging occurs. 2. Various chemical substances inside the tire require some time to be released and stabilized. Only after stabilization can the tire's wear resistance reach an ideal state, allowing for longer use and mileage. 3. Tires that have been stored for three years after manufacturing are considered expired. The rubber in such tires has aged, significantly reducing comfort and increasing the likelihood of cracking. Heat dissipation also deteriorates, greatly impacting acceleration and braking performance. High-speed driving with such tires is highly prone to blowouts, seriously endangering the safety of the driver's life and property. Purchasing expired tires is strictly prohibited. If you find any merchants selling expired tires, you can directly report them to the Consumer Protection Association.
Last time I changed tires, I specifically consulted an experienced mechanic. He counted on his fingers and explained: For major brand tires, anything over a year from manufacture date is considered inventory stock. Not that they're unusable, but even the shop manager admitted they discount tires stored for two years in the warehouse. Check the last four digits of the DOT code on the tire sidewall - for example, 0323 means the tire was produced in the 3rd week of 2023. Personally, I'd avoid buying inventory tires older than three years - the rubber feels noticeably hardened. Don't be fooled by tread patterns; older tires are particularly prone to hydroplaning in wet conditions at highway speeds - my neighbor learned this the hard way. Always ask about production dates when buying tires, as some dealers deliberately hide older stock in the back.
