Tires do degrade over time, though, and that process is called dry rot. Oils and chemicals in the rubber compound start to evaporate or break down because of UV exposure.
All tires that are 5-6+ years old are at risk for dry rot, but it may happen sooner or could happen a little later. Click here to learn more about dry rot. 5. Age – Always replace tires once they are 10 years old, regardless of how they look or how much they've been used.
Resins in the tire compound are designed to protect the rubber, but only if it's actively engaged and in motion. The longer a vehicle sits unused, the more likely dry rot will develop. This is especially true if the tires are outside and exposed to fluctuating temperatures and direct sunlight.
Most auto manufacturers recommend replacing tires over six years old regardless of tread depth. Some tire manufacturers like Michelin and Continental give a 10-year limit. As rubber compounds age, they deteriorate and become weaker like other rubber and plastic components on your car.
Any tire over ten years old is too weak to ensure safe driving. At this age, it's imperative that you replace your tires. For your safety, we will not service any tires aged 10 years or older.
It may be tentative, but tires do have an expiration date. There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left.
BestDrive recommends that any tyre that is 5 years of age, or older, should be inspected by a trusted professional at least once a year to ensure that it is still safe to drive on. If your tyres are older than 10 years, regardless of their visual appearance, it's time to buy new tyres.
Tires do age, but because that aging is due to a myriad of factors and is a safety concern, tire replacement guidelines rightfully fall on the conservative side. Five years, however, is a little too conservative. Only one producer, Avon, recommended anything close: seven years.
“Unless specified, you should get a new spare tire at 10 years to ensure it is safe to use,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR's tire program manager. “You should inspect your spare tire periodically to look for any cracking or dry rot.” This task can be done when you're checking the tire pressure.
On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
Tire rot is caused by ambient heat, UV radiation (which has a similar effect on your face), ozone in the atmosphere, road salt and time. These factors are mostly worse if your car lives outside, but even garage queens can't sit on one set of tires forever.
Dry rot can also cause unnatural rubber expansion while driving that actually breaks the tire apart. Tires with dry rot are much more likely to develop leaks, holes, and blow outs. In extreme cases, the tread may separate from the rest of the tire entirely.
Tires can last several years in storage if stored in the right conditions. However, many tire experts recommend replacing tires six years after their production date, regardless of the tread. Old tires can be compromised when the rubber compound breaks down.
If you don't handle and store your tires properly, their characteristics can change. This can shorten their life. They can even deteriorate so badly in storage that they need to be replaced. But if you handle and store them correctly, they will deliver years of service – and you'll save money.
Because dry rot can often be difficult to see in its early phases, and can also happen inside the tire, it's best to have your tires inspected regularly by a professional.
It's a good idea to get them checked annually once they are over five years old. Manufacturers cannot make any guarantees on longevity as factors like the climate, air pressure and your driving habits all make a difference. Tyres should be replaced every 10 years at the very least.
The lifespan of an average tire is six years, regardless of mileage. Once tires hit that age, the rubber compound begins to harden, and the rubber is more likely to crack. It also doesn't grip the road surface the way it did when it was new.
There is no definitive tyre age limit as to when you should replace your tyres but once your tyres reach 7-10 years old, you should keep a close eye on their condition and consider replacing them. Tyre ageing is commonly identified by small cracks, known as crazing, which appear in the tyre sidewall.
Do tyres have an age limit? Tyres should be removed once they reach ten years of age, regardless of appearance, mileage or actual wear. However, most tyres will need replacing before they reach the ten year mark.
In Australia, there are currently no legal requirements for tyres to be used by a specific date. The tyre regulations specified in (Australian Design Rules) ADR 42 and ADR 23 are the ones being followed.
Consider changing your tyres every 30,000 – 40,000km, or every 5-10 years. Advice on how long tyres last ranges from 10,000 to 50,000km, but the NRMA recommends changing them around every 40,000km.
2- Ten years is a maximum
If the tires haven't been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tires. Even if they appear to be in a usable condition and have not been worn down to the tread wear indicator.
Even though the tires were never used on a vehicle, they are still several years old. Every tire has a birth date—the day it was manufactured—and an expiration date that is six years from that manufacture date. Most automobile manufacturers warn drivers to replace vehicle tires after six years.