[retiredguy123]

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.

[Two Bills]

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.

[MSchad]

Nice tidbit of info. Thanks!

[GrumpyOldMan]

Thank you

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

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.

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.

[MrFlorida]

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

[Mortal1]

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.

[JohnN]

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.

[Koapaka]

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.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Koapaka

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.

[Fredman]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

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.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by Koapaka

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.

hey, you were NOT supposed to see us that day

[Tblue]

Florida had annual car inspections in the 1970s.

[Koapaka]

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.......

[Billy1]

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.