Dangers of aged tires
Tires, like any other rubber product, have a limited service life regardless of tread depth and use. The dangers of "aged" tires is a little known problem outside of the industry and one that is likely the cause of a significant number of tread separation problems. "Aged" tires are often unsuspectingly put into service after having served as a spare, stored in garages or warehouses, or simply used on a vehicle that is infrequently driven. In many instances these tires show no visible sign of deterioration, and absent any visible indicators, tires with adequate tread depth are likely to be put into service regardless of age.
Selecting the tire is very important fact and should be done very carefully. Aged tires, regardless of tread, are subject to greater stress increasing the likelihood of catastrophic failure. Don’t use tires that are well beyond the age limit recommended by consumer groups and some automakers. Research and tests show that as tires age, they begin to dry out and become potentially dangerous, leading to calls for a six-year age limit for tires from Ford Motor Co. and other car companies.
All the tires come with a date code, which reveals the week and year when a tire was made. However this date code on the tire is not consumer friendly.
Rule of thumb is that you are supposed to get rid of the tires every six or seven years...no matter what condition it is.
The safety of vehicle and passengers is a top priority and tire service limits are very important factor in this.
Consistent maintenance, proper inflation and regular inspection for tread wear patterns and damage are the keys to good tire performance. Also consumers should evaluate the tires regularly with authorized service center.
Some of the biggest tire manufacturers, including Bridgestone/Firestone and Michelin, however, have issued bulletins to retailers calling for tires to be removed from service 10 years after the date of manufacture. The bulletins note that consumers should follow the tire replacement recommendations in their vehicle owner's manual if they offer different advice on a tire's shelf life. Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Audi and Toyota all recommend that tires be replaced six years after they were made.
Tire retailers should not be selling tires close to or older than 10 years of age, according to Sean Kane, who heads a private auto safety firm. "It's shocking to hear that particularly now because companies, like Sears, these large tire retailers has had this information in their hands for some time," Consumers are advised to be well informed on selecting the tires.