How Long is the Shelf Life of Tires?
2 Answers
The shelf life of tires is 5 years or 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers. Situations requiring tire replacement include: 1. The tire wear has reached the wear limit indicator; 2. The tire is aging, with numerous small cracks on the tread pattern; 3. Tires with deformed treads or damaged bead areas; 4. Tires with bulges cannot be used. Methods for tire maintenance include: 1. Regularly check tire pressure to ensure it is neither too high nor too low; 2. Frequently remove debris from the tread grooves to avoid blowouts; 3. Inspect the tire's wear condition and replace them promptly based on wear; 4. Perform four-wheel rotation to distribute wear evenly and prevent excessive wear; 5. Avoid curbs and potholes, as they can cause the sidewall cords to break, leading to tire bulges.
As an ordinary person who drives long-term, I think the topic of tire shelf life is quite important. Generally speaking, the shelf life of tires after production is between 6 to 10 years, but this depends on how you use and store them. Storage conditions are super critical: they should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or exposure to high temperatures, otherwise the rubber ages quickly and is prone to cracking and deformation. Every time the season changes, I check the sidewall of the tires to look at the DOT code, for example, 3622 means the 36th week of 2022; if it's over 5 years, you need to pay attention to signs of aging, like fine cracks. Don’t forget the spare tire either—I once had a spare tire that was left unused for too long without inflation, and it ended up flat and unusable. Overall, safety comes first, and it’s safest to consider replacing them every 5 years—don’t wait until you have a blowout to regret it.
