How old is acceptable for newly purchased tires?
3 Answers
Newly purchased tires are considered acceptable if they are no more than three years old, and the closer the production date, the better. Tires are rubber products, and rubber products will age even if left unused for extended periods. Generally, the shelf life of unused tires is three years, so avoid purchasing tires that have been in storage for over three years. Once installed on a vehicle, tires can be used for four years, and should be replaced every four years. When buying tires, pay attention to: 1. Choose reputable tire brands; 2. Purchase from authorized dealers or stores with good reputations; 3. Verify the correct tire size for your vehicle; 4. Check the tread depth and pattern; 5. Pay attention to the tire's production date; 6. Avoid retreaded tires.
As a car owner, I'm very concerned about tire production dates. Newly purchased tires are generally considered not fresh if they've been in storage for over three years, as the rubber begins to degrade, affecting grip. Ideally, look for tires manufactured within the last six months. The four-digit code on the tire sidewall, such as '3724', indicates the tire was produced in the 37th week of 2024. Some sellers may grind off the date on old stock tires and re-stamp them, so pay special attention to any signs of grinding on the sidewall. A couple of years ago when I replaced my tires, I encountered refurbished tires with blurred dates, which were only identified later using a UV light at a professional shop. Always remember to check if the dates on both tires match when purchasing; a discrepancy of more than three months may indicate a significant difference in storage time.
Tire expiration dates are stricter than you think. Our repair shop has disassembled too many tires stored for over five years - they look brand new in the packaging, but the rubber has actually hardened and developed cracks. National standards mandate scrapping after five years from production, but for safety, don't buy anything over three years old. Last month, a customer drove on five-year-old stored tires on the highway, and the summer heat caused immediate sidewall bulging. When selecting tires, bend down to check the last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall - the last two indicate the year. If you see white frost-like powder on the tread, it's definitely an aged tire.
