How Old Are Your Tires?
 

Whenever I buy new tires or a new or used car, I always check the Tire Identification Number (TIN), which is stamped on the sidewall of all tires sold in the U.S. It starts with DOT and ends with a 4 digit number. The 4 digits indicate the week and year when the tire was manufactured. So, "1219" would indicate that the tire was made in the 12th week of 2019. Tires can start to wear out after about 6 years, even if they have a lot of tread remaining. I think it is a good idea to not assume that your new tires are actually new, even if they are on a new car. Car dealers can actually switch tires on a new car without affecting the car warranty because the tires are covered by a separate tire warranty.

Thats interesting.
I never looked beyond tire size before.
Just looked on my car here in UK and have following.
DOT XN K3 T233 4119 on fronts and rear tires are same except last number is 0619.
You learn something new every day!
Thanks for posting that.

Nice tidbit of info. Thanks!

Thank you

I have yet to wear out set of tires since I was 21. I replace them every 5 years. After that dry rot cracking/deterioration risks blowout or continue slow leakage.

Yea, mine dry rot before I wear them out, thanks for the tip .

Everyone has to have a hobby...mine is golf. Grips wear out faster than tires and as long as you keep an eye on them and look for signs of age and wear you'll be fine.

I'm aware of the tire age indicator on the tire. Mine were 9 years old but only had around 30K miles (2nd car that I use sparingly).
The tread was in good shape but there were small signs of dry rot, so while getting an oil change, I talked to the manager at Wildwood Tire. He agreed with my assessment and said if I just used the car to "puddle" around TV, they're fine because it's really the heat that deteriorates the tire. If I were going onto the highway, he'd suggest replacing them. I ended up replacing because I intend to keep the car for several more years.

Good thread, that indicator is good to know about.

One of the reasons I seriously wished FL had annual car inspections....I pulled into Colony shopping center the other day next to a guy who's 10+yr old roach trap of a hot mess car smelled to high heaven of pot....but the dry rot on his tires side was GLARING! I almost suggested he take a few of those roach clip dollars and put them into replacing his tires. Scares ya when you are on the turnpike realizing there is no-one requiring an annual inspection for safety issues of the cars driving beside you at 70+ MPH.

Annual car inspects are waste, turns into money grab and slap sticker on. Everybody supposed to have car insurance and valid drivers license, but that don’t stop them from driving anyway. Stupid state inspection not going to either.

A good annual inspection can find a lot of problems. I am happy that PA has an inspection annually.

hey, you were NOT supposed to see us that day :1rotfl:

Florida had annual car inspections in the 1970s.

I guess having my mobility taken from me by someone in a car not worthy to drive and in a state not worthy to drive leaves me a tad bit bias about such things.....and NO, I am not in any of the current "thanks, you got me this much money" commercials.......

Florida had vehicle inspections many years ago, many inspection shops were dishonest and used high pressure sale scare tactics to to sell. We were happy when the inspections were stopped. Lets not do inspections again. They will take advantage of the Villages senior citizens.

The “life” of tires is suggested to be 7 years by the DOT, regardless of use. Exposure to heat and particularly sun will shorten tire life from that. I had to replace the tires on my wife’s car after 5 years, even though they had only been driven 1,800 miles. It’s easy to figure out when you need new ones. The rubber in the sidewalls begins to dry rot—dry, crack and even fall off exposing the fabric base. And you’ll hear an odd sound as you’re driving—the cracking and pieces of rubber rubbing together.

NJ was terrible, waited hours and still thousands of idiot car accidents.

I don’t think any “New” car dealer would bother , the ones to be careful of individuals that buy repo’s and buy used tires from used tire dealers ,or individuals that buy used to sell the car. A good point check all four tires they should all be same brand and size, if not beware.

I bought my'99 Miata new. Now has 46,000 miles, lives in my garage on an oriental rug. Just put my 2nd set of tires last year. Safety is the reason. Old age!

I used to be a state inspection mechanic in Pa.
You wouldn't believe the hazardous conditions we'd find on some of the cars.
Pennsylvania used to have it twice a year before going to once a year.

Lived in MD for 12 years. If I recall, every other year, we had to take our car to a state inspection site. Checked the brakes, exhaust and a visual inspection on tires, wipers, windshield, etc. They weren't selling anything.

I purchased my daughter-in-law's used car. Had to take it to be inspected, and found out it had failed inspection earlier the previous year. She had failed to respond to several letters from the state and there now was an arrest warrant out for her. She was floored when I told her to report to the police station. My son just grinned when I told him what his bride had done, or not done. BTW, she also paid the $475 fine that was outstanding. I had no intention of covering that cost. Parents can only be expected to do so much for their kids.

Comrade …. Your daughter in law will be going to Siberia …. She has failed to rotate her tires……

Only honest people go to car inspections, and maintain their vehicles. The creeps you describe will never bring that roach trap of a car to an inspection.
In my old state, just in my neighborhood, I would count at least 9 cars that were years overdue for inspection. It's just a money maker for dishonest businesses. No thanks to Florida ever having inspections.

Thank you.
 

I went out immediately and checked my tires. I have a very old car, but I had no idea how old the tires are.

When compulsory testing was introduced in UK in 1960 the cost of a test was 15 shillings, which less than $1 today.
Our local testing garage charged 15 shilling if you took the car in to be tested, or one pound ($1.40) if you didn't!

Today the test is about $75 per year, and it is strict.
If you miss test, it shows online, and your car will 'ping' passing traffic cops.
Insurance is invalid without a certificate of passing test, and if car is impounded and fine not paid, it's scrapped.
Not many old bangers on the road these days!:coolsmiley:

This is one of the great things about this forum. I learn new things all the time.

Have to say I’m impressed you’re familiar as to how pot smells and readily know the jargon. I wouldn’t know the smell or what a roach clip was if I came across that scenario.:icon_wink:

Back to the subject at hand, tires last much longer in the cooler climates, thankfully.

Coming from NY, I can tell you that car inspections are just another form of a TAX for the state, and most of the time are unnecessary. So tell me again why you would want another tax? Do you have a desire to turn FL into a highly overtaxed state like NY? I mean think about it?

Thanks! Wish it was just that I was super hip....but truth be known anyone that spent 30 yrs in the medical community is way too familiar with both. There is little a old nurse or doc has not experienced at one point in their career or another....

Not at all...however I DO wish I could be a little more assured when I get outside the bubble and head out on the FL Turnpike that the idiot next to me does not pop an aging/dry rotted and create an accident going 70+ MPH. Been there, done that...did not end up well (for me anyway)....some lawyer can get you compensated....but trust me, there is nothing they can fill in that check for that beats being able to walk. :(

Seriously!! If New York does it so much better than by all means STAY THERE!! I have nothing against Northerners or other people coming from 'Blue' states, but PLEASE leave your big government inclinations there.:pray:

Georgia had inspections and they were nothing more than another form of highway robbery. If an inspection station failed you for ANYTHING, you either had to have it fixed there or bring back a receipt showing you had it fixed somewhere else within 30 days. Nothing but a shake down, LOTS of unneeded repairs foisted on people without the knowledge or spine to dispute the failure. The second time I had to pay to have my headlights 'aligned' I learned to find one of the few places that would only test, but not do the actual repairs themselves. At least then they didn't have a financial incentive to report bogus findings.

It was exactly the same in Virginia... Told my cousin's wife she had to have a new air filter which was total BS. She said she would have her husband change it. They said ok but get it done.
:shocked::shocked:

She! LOL.

I bet they inspect brand new car also? Glad I don’t plan on moving to PA ever.

See posts that explained how to read the number/ lettering on side of tires.

How long have you owned the vehicle? If over 5 or max 7 I wouldn’t plan no long road trips. Especially if you don’t check tire pressure.

State inspections only make for more govt, more state tax money, and usually they only check lic, ins card, and emissions. Other than a near bald rear tire once in 1972 or so, I’ve never had an inspection fail anything. NJ doesn’t check alignment, brakes, steering, headlight alignment, shocks, lights, only emissions. So what was I paying an “ inspection “ fee for?

Good to know about the tire age. :coolsmiley: Thanks.

Thanks for the info

When I lived in Georgia, the inspection fee was 3 dollars, which was not enough for the service center to make any money. One time, they told me that my headlights were not aligned and wanted 10 dollars to fix them. I refused and reported the station to the state police because my headlights were not out of alignment. You can park the car in front of a wall and adjust the alignment with 2 screws. About a week later, I received a check from the service station for 3 dollars, and an approved inspection certificate. A few years later, Georgia rescinded the inspection law.

Ohiobuckeye
 

Great point retireguy123!