Are Your Tyres Too Old? The Truth About Age vs. Tread in Tyre Safety

 

Have you ever worried that your car tyres might be old or worn out? Most people examine the tread depth and look for damage, but how old the tires are is an important detail that many forget to check. Your tyres may be safe on the outside, but are slowly disintegrating from the inside. We will check what exact effects ageing tyres cause and how to decide when and which Tyres Shenstone to replace to avoid unnecessary costs.

The Hidden Danger: How Tyres Age

Unlike fine wine, tyres do not get better as time goes by. No matter how little they are used or how well cared for, these products are still put through a process that weakens their safety and performance.

So, What Exactly Happens to Aged Tyres?

Although tyres seem plain, they are made from a mixture of rubber, chemicals and materials such as steel and fabric. Over time, several changes occur:

• Rubber Hardening: Slowly, the rubber becomes weaker and turns from a supple, gripping material into something harder like plastic. This lowers your vehicle’s grip, especially if the roads are wet, which can lead to accidents.
• Oxidation: Interaction between the rubber and oxygen in the air causes the rubber to break apart. This is true for tyres that have been driven on and those that are kept in storage.
• Oil Evaporation: Rubber’s flexibility is maintained by the oils it contains. Naturally, these oils vanish with time, which helps the process of hardening.
• Invisible Cracking: At times, there are small imperfections in rubber that are hidden from view and compromise the tire’s strength.
• Breakdown of Chemical Bonds: Tyres lose strength and resilience because the chemicals that hold them together start to break down.

A scary fact: They can occur at any time, regardless of the mileage, how the vehicle is stored or its outward appearance.

Determining the Age of Your Tyres

The expiry date of tyres is not as easy to read as the date printed on milk cartons. They communicate through a code that is not as clear to other drivers.

There should be a series of letters and numbers near the sidewall, which is the DOT code. The last four digits indicate the year and week of the tyre’s production. The initial two digits state the week (between 01 and 52) and the following two determine the year.

For example:

• The tyre was built in the 23rd week of 2018 and is marked as "2318."
• 0520 shows that the tyre came from the 5th week of 2020
• This is important to remember – tyres that seem fresh could have been stored in a warehouse for a long time.

How to Recognise Tyres That Are Due for Replacement?

While your tyres must have a tread depth of 1.6mm, this is not the only factor that indicates they are ageing.

• Visible Cracks: Minor cracks that appear along the sidewalls or in the blocks of the tyre tread, which are sometimes called crazing or weather checking
• Hard Rubber: Use your thumbnail to press into the centre of the tread, not the wall. If the rubber doesn’t give at all, this means it is becoming harder.
• Discolouration: Tyres appearing to be brown rather than black
• Vibration: Skewed vibrations could suggest that your tyres are not as round as before, because of the impact of ageing

Reduced Wet Performance: Driving in the rain might make your car less stable if its tyres are ageing.

Practical Guidelines for UK Drivers

According to the advice of experts and considering safety, the following advice is sensible for most UK drivers:

• Check the DOT code on both your standard tyres and the spare to see how old they are.
• Even if tyres look good, ensure they are inspected after five years by a professional.
• Years should be your key to retiring tyres, regardless of how they look or perform on the road
• Create an organised list with details about every tyre purchased, with the date and DOT code.

Consider earlier replacement if you:

• Drive at high speeds regularly
• Carry heavy loads
• Allow younger people to be on board with you during your drive.
• Drive in challenging weather conditions
• Cover long motorway distances

Conclusion

The science shows that rubber breaks down over time, regardless of if the tyre is frequently used or not. It’s not so much a question of age, but rather a question of when the risk becomes too much.

Most drivers should find that taking a middle-ground approach is best. A professional should inspect the Wholesale Tyres Online every five years and the tyres should be replaced by seven years. It addresses the concerns of cost and safety at the same time.

Tyres hold the only points where your car comes in contact with the road. Since your safety and that of other drivers rely on those small contact patches, it makes sense that taking good care of your tyres is worthwhile.

Remember: Just because tyres look good does not always mean they are safe if they were manufactured a long time ago. Tyre age plays a key role in safety, so it's essential to check it.