good craftsmen service centers and tire shops know how to determine the year of manufacture of a tire at a glance. These are not tricks and not "show off" in front of a gullible client for a "wow" effect. In fact, this is determined very simply, the main thing is to know where to look. And there it all depends on arithmetic abilities or the availability of a calendar at hand.
Interesting! Tires have existed long before the advent of cars and even bicycles. The first samples were made of metal. These were the first prerequisites for the creation of analogues modern tires. John Dunlop, when riding a bicycle on rough roads, suffered from a terrible migraine, because then there was no spring hangers. This prompted the inventor to the first experiments with rubber.
Do car tires have an expiration date?
Rubber products, like many things in nature and in the world artificially created by man, are subject to wear and aging. Special additives added to the material in the manufacture of tires slow down aging, but long-term operation destroys rubber faster than the natural process. Microcracks form in the tread and on the sidewalls, and this, as a rule, entails the deformation of the carcass.
Experts recommend replacing tires when their expiration date is almost over. And this applies even to those tires in which the car has never even “shod shoes”. The average "life span" of most car tires is 5-6 years from the date of manufacture. Therefore, it is important to know where the year of manufacture is written on the tires.
Tire aging depends on a variety of physical and chemical processes that take place. Over time, this adversely affects the functions they perform. This applies more to those tires that just sit somewhere in the garage and wait in the wings, or those that are worn once a year for one month. The same tires that are in constant operation become brittle much later. After all, rubber softeners are catalyzed only by the rotation of automobile wheels.
Michelin gives a guarantee on its products for about ten years, when many others do not raise the bar above six. Especially if the tire does not have any of the above defects. In addition to how to determine the year of manufacture of the tire and how long it can last, important point is to differentiate them by category. It is clear that tires with the ZR marking (over 240 km/h) are subjected to enormous loads during operation, which cannot be said about tires of category S (up to 180 km/h).
It would be logical to assume that the rubber intended for high speeds, should roll back its no more than five to six years. A caravans and trailers? They pass a little a year, they stand on half-flat ones longer, the tread is not worn out. They can be scrapped even after eight years. This is true when the rubber profile looks good enough. In this case, it is not difficult to determine the age of rubber, the main thing is that the date of manufacture of the tire is visible.
Interesting to know! The most big tire in the world is located in Detroit, which is also called the "city of motors". But it was designed in New York for the 1965 World's Fair by Uniroyal.
How to find out the year of manufacture of tires and why to do it
Each batch of issued car tires receives an individual serial number.
But where can it be found on tires and how to determine that the year of manufacture is indicated there? The number consists of combined Latin letters and numbers. It is located on both sides of the tire. On one side it is printed entirely, on the other it is partially duplicated: only letters and initial numbers. The last three- or four-digit number indicates the production date. For convenience, the year of manufacture of the tire is encased in an oval stamp, so that it quickly prompts motorists where to look.
Today, tires with a number from four digits. This means that they were made after the onset of the "millennium". Then the manufacturing companies switched to a more convenient numbering system. Two digits at the beginning indicate the week, the second pair indicates the year of production. Let's say there is a tire with the number 3412. How can you find out the year and month of manufacture of the tire from it? Everything is simple. The thirty-fourth week is August, and the twelve is 2012. This means that the tire was released at the end of the summer of 2012.
Among motorists there are very scrupulous people who do not leave the thought, but how can you find out a more accurate date of manufacture, when the year of manufacture of the tire and even the month is known. You can use a simple calendar or an online calculator to calculate the release date of automotive "shoes". It won't take much to figure them out. You just need to enter the last digits of the tire serial, and then the exact date of rubber release will be found.
If the serial number consists of three digits, then know that the tire was produced before the year 2000. The first two digits are similar to the four-digit version in their meaning, but the third means the last digit of the year. But here a dilemma arises: the tire could have been produced in the 80s and 90s. How to accurately check the year of manufacture of tires? Tires from the eighties have stars on the sides of the serial number, from the “dashing” after the numbers there is a space, then an asterisk, or also a triangle.
High-quality tires can last much longer than the period declared by the manufacturer. The main thing to observe right conditions storage and operation. When buying tires, do not focus only on the release date, but inspect the tires themselves. To what extent the tread height meets your requirements, whether the color is black. Over time, it turns whitish-gray, and the surface is covered with a web of small cracks.
If all these signs are present, then the tires were stored incorrectly. If you are not provided with a similar model, but fresher, then do not take them at all.
Did you know? Only a quarter of all motorists systematically check tire pressure. Of these, 18% of men and 4% of women do it on the recommendations of manufacturers - weekly. The rest are running on under-inflated tires.
Is it possible to determine the conditions for storing car tires
Sometimes, passing between the rows of car tires foreign production, marvel at the resourcefulness of market marketers. According to them, manufacturers give a guarantee on their product up to nine or even ten years. And the characteristics are so universal that they amaze with their uniqueness, as if they were alien technologies. And people are happy to fall for such tricks. And here arises reasonable question, but is it worth trusting such a product? How not to make a mistake in choosing car tire manufacturers?
First of all, promise to buy auto shoes on the market, and even more so from someone else. There is a high percentage of stumbling upon a fake that will not last long, and the characteristics of the product will be very doubtful. The second warning point will be the cost of tires, which is too low for a well-known brand. Tires whose storage conditions have been violated differ primarily in external signs:they are crumpled and their shape is deformed. Make such purchases in stores with a proven reputation, where you can return the goods within the agreed time if necessary.
Be sure to check the service life and the products themselves for visual damage and defects. World brands give a guarantee of up to two years. During this period, the tires can be returned to the seller if it has not been used, and the technical characteristics have fallen or have been completely lost. And finally, quality. As unfortunate as it may be, foreign manufacturers make a better quality product than domestic ones.
This is interesting! In a small Colombian town, there is a workshop for tailoring clothes and shoes from old car tires. Only soft tires are specially selected, malleable to cutting, from which you can sew a lot for everyday wardrobe.
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If it is necessary to replace old tires with new ones, all motorists have the question of how to find out their year of manufacture. It can be read on the rim of tires, because each manufacturer in without fail indicates the date of manufacture. But there are no uniform standards, so sometimes it can be difficult to do. You can read about where on the tires you can find the year of manufacture, about their service life and recommended operating conditions in this article.
Tire marking
On each tire you can find a set of signs and symbols. At first glance, it may seem that the parameters of the load, tire design or size are very complex. But in fact, any motorist can understand the marking and decoding of a tire. As a rule, the following characteristics can be found on tires:
- Tire type - this designation defines a chamber or tubeless tire.
- Tire size - includes several values: width, profile height and size of the inner ring. Usually denoted in the format 210/55-18.
- Load index - shows the maximum allowable maximum weight which the wheels with the maximum internal pressure can withstand.
- Manufacturer - this inscription is usually in large and noticeable letters. This indicator is the first thing that motorists pay attention to when choosing tires.
- Seasonality - the designation All Season indicates the possibility of year-round use of such wheels.
- Speed index - shows the maximum allowable speed.
- The date of manufacture is usually indicated by a four-digit code, by which you can find out in which month and year the tires were produced.
- Weather Conditions - If you see umbrella markings on the tires, then most likely they are designed for wet and rainy weather and have high hydroplaning protection.
Tire life
Most drivers know that there are two things you don't want to skimp on in a car: brakes and wheels. Tires are a key element of your safety, because they provide traction and efficient braking. Both your health and the service life of the car depend on how high-quality and properly selected they are. Therefore, the issue of choosing tires should always be approached with special care.
Over time, tires wear out, so you need to have time to replace them with new ones. It is better to do this a little earlier than to ride on tires that have worn down to the very base of the tread. What is the service life of tires? Of course, a lot depends on the operating conditions. But the maximum allowable period is considered to be a mark of 45 thousand kilometers. Experts do not recommend further delaying the change of wheels. Seasonality and careful driving help to extend the life of the wheels.
Why find out the date of manufacture of tires
So does it make sense to look at the date of manufacture of tires, because the number of kilometers on them is still not displayed? This parameter should be recognized when buying new tires. In this case, it is useful to know when they were made. Due to improper storage, they can deteriorate, in which case the newer the product, the better. With the right temperature conditions, tires can be safely stored for 3-5 years. But before buying such products, you need to carefully inspect the tires for cracks, wear and other traces. Ask the seller for a quality certificate to avoid unpleasant situations.
How to find out the year of manufacture of a tire
You can find out when the tire was produced by reading the corresponding marking. Where is the year of manufacture on the tires? Each batch of manufactured products has a four-digit code, in which the year of manufacture is hidden. car tire. This date is usually located on the rubber rim. For convenience, they are often in an oval stamp, so finding these numbers is not difficult.
The date itself usually consists of three to four digits that indicate the month and year of production. For example, the designation "0815" can be decoded as follows:
- 08 - the eighth week of the year, i.e. the end of February;
- 15 is the year of release.
Thus, after reading this designation, you can immediately understand that the tire was released in August 2015. The four-digit designation was introduced in 2000, so when you see three numbers instead of four, you can immediately understand that such rubber was released in the last century.
Year of manufacture on Japanese tires
On tires Japanese stamps the expiration date is indicated in the same way as on all the others. The year of manufacture on Nokian tires is indicated on the side surface, next to the DOT inscription. If you could not find the date of manufacture when buying used rubber, then it is better to postpone such an acquisition, because it is not known how long it has already “lived”. How to find out the years of manufacture of a tire if the date has been erased or is not visible? It is possible to determine the wear period of tires by eye. How can you recognize old tires?
- Loss of elasticity - if you start to bend the rubber, it will give in with difficulty. The newly released item can be easily bent, as the new tires are elastic and more durable.
- The appearance of cracks - the smallest of them may not be visible to the human eye. You can find them if you bend the tire a little. Such a product, most likely, has already been used and it is better not to buy it.
- The dark gray color of the tires may also indicate that they have been manufactured for a long time.
- Geometric misalignment is one of the most noticeable signs of improper tire storage. It is also better to refuse such a product, because no one knows how long such “new” tires will last.
What else should I look for when buying tires?
When choosing a new "shoe" for your car, it is important to pay attention not only to the year of manufacture of tires. There are a number of signs by which you can understand that the goods were stored incorrectly:
- Blisters and hernias on the surface of the tire - indicate that the tires have already been used. In no case should you buy such tires, because such neoplasms cause tire imbalance, which cannot be removed in any tire fitting.
- Microcracks on the sidewall - most likely, a product with such problems is no longer eligible for sale due to improper storage or expiration of its service life.
- Traces of welding or sealant - indicate that "restorers" have worked on the tire. Some tires can still be restored, there are even entire companies that do this. But often vulcanizing pastes that seal cuts and cracks are ineffective. The tires start to deflate, the car drives, in general, you definitely won’t get any pleasure from driving on such tires.
Even when buying used tires, carefully inspect them for the above signs. If you find at least one of them, postpone such a purchase for later.
Tire life extension
Tire life depends not only on the year of manufacture of the tire, but also on how you store it. After seasonal replacement wheels, many send them to gather dust in cold garages, or even worse - on the street. Such treatment reduces the life of tires by two or even three times. What rules must be followed in order for the rubber to serve you for a long time?
- Compliance temperature regime- the main condition for the safety of tires. Wherein low temperatures they are not as scary as the raised ones. If it is above 25 degrees, the rubber begins to deform at the molecular level, and this negatively affects its characteristics.
- Optimum humidity is also very important for maintaining all the qualities of tires. If the room is too humid, moisture will settle on the surface of the rubber. Under such conditions, nothing critical will happen in a couple of months, but if the tires are stored in such a room from year to year, long term their services should not be counted.
- For storage of tires, a vertical position is preferable. Do not dump tires "column" on top of each other. Rubber also should not be left under direct sunlight, because this may cause cracks on the surface.
There is an opinion among motorists that it is best to buy all tires of the same year of manufacture, so the grip characteristics of the car with the road will be better. But tires different parties not easy to pick up with the same release dates, and is it necessary? Experts say that the year of manufacture of the tire has absolutely no effect on its parameters, if the product has been stored correctly and the deadlines have been met. Therefore, if you bought 5-6-year-old tires on sale at a discount, you should not think that they will not last very long.
It is better to buy such tires from a well-known manufacturer than tires from an unknown brand that have just rolled off the assembly line. Believe me, the former are more likely to work out their 5-7 years without problems. If you are determined to buy only the most the best tires, then it is better to take a closer look at the new products on the market. They will definitely be with the latest production date.
Results
When choosing new or used tires for yourself, be sure to pay attention to the date of manufacture. How to check the year of manufacture of a tire? It is necessary to pay attention to the color and the presence of cracks on the surface of the rubber. Old tires go from black to gray, and a scattering of cracks can be seen on their surface. If you come across such a product, ask to bring a product from a newer supply or refuse to purchase altogether. But don't forget about other parameters when choosing tires: evaluate the height of the profile, make sure that they exactly fit your car. Choose seasonal tires, store them properly, and then they will serve you for many years!
The tire provides comfort and safety of the ride if it fully complies with technical specifications vehicle and operating conditions.
Pick up Bridgestone tire the markings on the sidewall will help.
Tire construction
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To understand the designation of the marking, it is necessary to have an idea about the design of the tire.
Tire components:
- frame
- Breaker layers
- Tread
- sidewall
The frame is the supporting part of the tire. Consists of several layers of cord. 
Each layer is a rubberized synthetic fabric of thick threads located in the radial direction and thin threads interlacing the radial ones. The reinforced frame structure contains metal threads. Such tires are installed on trucks and minibuses.
The layers of cord that make up the breaker are located between the base and the tread. The breaker dampens vibration and shock during movement.
The tread is the part of the tire that comes into contact with the road. A pattern is applied to the tread that determines the grip properties of the tire.
The segment of the tire that attaches it to the wheel is called the bead.
Sidewall - protects internal structure from external influence. The marking is applied to the sidewall of the tire.
Important Information
Tires are available in tube and tubeless versions. Tubeless are mounted on reinforced discs with more reliable fasteners.
Bridgestone tires are distinguished by purpose:
- Road or summer. Designed for operation at temperatures above +5 ° C. Provide good grip with dry and wet coating. They behave the worst dirt roads. Not suitable for icy or snowy areas.
- Winter. By dynamic properties give way to summer. Are adapted for the movement on slippery, snowy sites. There is a possibility of additional studding of the protector.
- All season. They can be used in summer and winter, but in their own way grip characteristics inferior to seasonal tires.
- Universal. Installed on SUVs. They hold traction well and provide patency both on dirt roads and on asphalt.
- Special tires for improved cross-country ability. Allows you to move on soft ground and in off-road conditions. Installed on special equipment.
A special marking is used to indicate seasonality.
Sizing
The main inscription that you need to pay attention to when choosing a tire is the size. This is the largest image after the name of the manufacturer.
Description:
Decryption:
205 - Tire section width in mm. The linear distance between the sidewalls. The tire is measured in the inflated state. The measurement does not take into account the protruding parts of the marking.
65 - Profile height. Relative value, calculated as a percentage. It is the ratio of the profile height to the width of the section. Profile height - the distance between the bore and outer diameter. Landing diameter determined at the point where the tire is attached to the wheel rim.
The profile height is not indicated in the marking if its value is greater than 80%. Starting from 75% and further (5% step: 75, 70, 65…) must be applied. The larger the value, the higher the tire looks.
A tire with a height rating of 55 or below is a low profile tire. This tire has an increased tread width. Rubber gives the car a sporty dynamic. Raises lateral stability during sharp turns. Reduces braking distances. not suitable for our road conditions, because it is sensitive to web irregularities and cannot be used in bad weather conditions. On a wet surface, the risk of water drift increases significantly. In our conditions, it is recommended to use tires with a profile height of 70%.
R - Indicates the radial type of cord construction.
15 - Diameter rim. The indicator is in inches.
94 - Index of the maximum load on one wheel. Expressed in kg. Reflects the critical mass at which the vehicle should not be operated. Mark 94 corresponds to the maximum weight of 670 kg.
H - Symbol for speed. Indicates the maximum threshold which must not be exceeded. H corresponds to 210 km/h.
Size indicators are the main information from which they are repelled when choosing tires.
Large letters on the sidewall indicate the name of the Bridgestone manufacturer and tire model.
American marking system
Above is the European notation. American labeling applied in accordance with quality standards Transport Department USA. Such tires are produced for operation in the territory of the North American states. All designations are expressed in inches.
Marking 31 X 10.5 R 15
Decryption:
31 - Outer diameter of the tire
10.5 - Section size
R - Radial arrangement of cords
15 - Landing diameter
Symbols related to the tread pattern
By the nature of the pattern, the protectors are divided into:
- Non-directional. Symmetrical, about its longitudinal axis, or universal
- Directed. Symmetrical. Has grooves for better water drainage
- Asymmetrical. Combine several useful properties. The outside can provide better grip with a dry surface, and the inner work to divert water
When installing wheels, the following designations are taken into account:
outside- The outer side of the asymmetrical tire
Inside — Inner side asymmetric wheel
rotation- This inscription, combined with an arrow, indicates the direction of movement of the wheel. Says that the protector is directional. At incorrect installation, water accumulates in the grooves of the tread, which creates conditions for hydroplaning.
Marking by type of seasonality
Both letter designations and images in the form of pictograms are used:
M+S - Winter tires. Designed for driving on mud and snow. It has increased grip with the road at low temperatures.
Snowflake image - Used in combination with the letters M + S or on its own. Indicates winter tires.
AS or R+W - All season tires.
Images: sun, umbrella, leaf, snowflake - Indicates the possibility of operating the tire at any time of the year.
If the marking does not contain seasonal designations, this indicates that the rubber is to be used only in the summer.
Other information
The sidewall contains other, printed in small print, information:
Tube tipe - The tire must have a tube
Tubeless - tubeless tire
RFT - Runflat technology is used in the manufacture of the tire. The sidewalls of the tire are reinforced with an additional layer. In the event of a tire puncture, the vehicle will be able to continue driving with a speed limit of 80 km/h and a range of 150 km.
At Bridgestone, Runflat technology is used for non-studded tires. Only vehicles equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system are equipped with such tires.
Treadwear - When combined with a number, this indicates the wear resistance of the rubber. For tire operation in everyday conditions, this indicator should be in the range of 220-340.
Temperature - In combination with the letters A, B, C, it indicates the heat resistance of the clinging surface of the tire when driving at maximum speeds.
Traction - Index of maximum grip with the road surface. 
Below the Bridgestone inscription is an oval containing three letters and four numbers. The letter designation is service information. Numerical designation- date of manufacture of tires. Important indicator. The shelf life of the tire should not exceed 5 years. The first two digits in the oval indicate the month of manufacture. The remaining two are the year of production (16 - 2016).
E, circled and the next 7 digits - European quality standard and certificate series. The American standard is designated DOT.
TWI - shows where to look for the tread wear indicator. Recommended wear rate for winter tires 5.5 mm. At a lower rate, tire replacement is required.
Max load and Max Pressure - Maximum load And maximum pressure in tires.
Reinforced - Reinforced sidewall
Steel - Steel plates in the framework of the structure
Closer to the center of the tire, the country of origin is indicated.
In Russia, Bridgestone tires are marked according to European classification. The indicators that you should start from when starting to choose are the standard size and seasonality. When installing the wheel, the direction of the tread is taken into account. In small print, the manufacturer reports the details of the design. Before buying, the date of manufacture of the tire is checked. Multi-colored lines along the tread do not carry consumer information. This is how a certain batch entering the warehouse is designated.
Every driver who buys new kit tires, expects to receive the product of the current year, since old tires, even without being in operation, may partially (or even completely!) Lose their characteristics as a result of improper storage and aging. And in order to fully meet expectations, motorists should know how to determine the date of manufacture of a tire (year and month). In addition, we will tell you as clearly as possible about how to understand whether a tire is suitable for further use, which will be very useful for those who prefer to buy used tires.
So, let's figure out how to determine the age of rubber, whether it is possible to buy tires that have lain in a warehouse for several years, and how old tires are suitable for use.
Tire manufacturing date marking
Answering this question, first of all, it should be mentioned that each tire has a special marking on the side surface, which is an oval stamp with numbers inside. However, today you can find tires in which the specified marker has both 3 and 4 digits. The three-digit code on the sidewall means that this tire was produced before 2000, and four-digit, respectively, after.
According to the regulation of the Department of Transportation, which certifies tires for distribution in the domestic market, such markings are applied to the surface of the tires without fail and in a clearly marked form. This rule applies to all tire models from all manufacturers oriented to the North American market, where DOT certification is mandatory without exception. Because of this fact, all the world's leading brands in the tire industry, regardless of the geography of distribution and production of their goods, follow this rule.
Later marking is deciphered as follows:
- The first digital pair is the week of release of the product.
- The two-digit number at the end is the year the tire was manufactured.
For example, if *1805* is indicated on the side surface of the rubber in an oval stamp, then this means that the tire left the assembly line in April 2005.
Here it must be said that to simplify calculations, many automotive sites have special calculators for calculating the desired date of manufacture. Using them is very simple, just enter a number in a special box, and almost instantly the date of manufacture corresponding to this code will appear in the next window.
Things are a little more complicated, or rather, more confusing with tires manufactured at the end of the last century. The three-digit marking is essentially the same as the new four-digit code. The difficulty lies in the fact that instead of the last two digits, there is only one in it, and it does not mean the full year, but only its last digit. In other words, the 8 at the end of the code may indicate that the rubber was produced in both 1988 and 1998.
You can distinguish the year of issue by the presence or absence of a space (or triangle) after the digital value. If there is a space (*148_*), then the tire was made in 1998, if not (*148*), then in 1988.
These difficulties are explained by the fact that tire manufacturers of the past century did not hope that their tires would last more than a decade. In the same century, tire manufacturers changed the coding of wheel tires to a more practical and convenient one. It should also be mentioned that sometimes numbers may be preceded by alphabetic characters, for example: *NAA 427* or *LMLR3809*. However, they have nothing to do with the date of manufacture of tires, so the average car enthusiast should not pay attention to them. Obviously, there is nothing complicated in the process of determining the production date. You just need to be careful and remember these nuances.
Tire storage
If car tires has not worn out ahead of time, then its service life (preservation of the declared driving performance) must be at least five years old. It's all guaranteed well-known manufacturers. In practice, in the case of proper care and careful use, tires are quite capable of lasting much longer than the specified minimum. However, they can save performance characteristics, and elasticity, and appearance.
The aging of tires primarily depends on its quality. But this parameter is significantly affected by the operating and storage conditions of the wheels. Over time, tires lose their elasticity and become harder. This process accelerated under the influence high temperatures, direct sunlight, and moisture. Therefore, in the off-season, it is better to pack them in special plastic bags that prevent direct contact of rubber with external environment and direct exposure to ultraviolet light.
Beaded wheels should be stored inflated and hung on the walls of a dry and dark room (attic or garage), and tires removed from rims should be stored in stacks or vertically. In the latter case, from time to time they need to be swapped or rotated. In addition, today many car centers offer a tire storage service, for which they have specialized rooms equipped with special racks. With such storage and compliance with all the rules, automotive rubber can retain elasticity for up to ten years.
Tire aging
Aged tires are easy to identify by the condition of their sidewalls. When the rubber dries and hardens, microcracks appear on its surface, which increase in size over time. In addition, aging can also be seen in the color of the tire, which becomes whitish instead of jet black. This character traits which are easy enough to see. And in the case when they become obvious, the rubber should be changed, even if the tire tread is worn slightly, and looks pretty decent.
Many car owners are wondering if it makes sense to buy new tires (not used), released two or three years ago? It all depends on many factors. But the main ones remain the same - the original quality and conditions of storage and transportation. The quality is directly related to the brand. Tire market leaders spend huge amounts of money on all kinds of research and testing of their products. As a result, all kinds of additives are added to the compound of their tires, which act as "anti-aging agents" and are a trade secret. Therefore, buying eminent tires trademark, you can not worry about quality and durability, but you will have to overpay a certain amount for this.
Each tire supplier and distributor has its own warehouses and transport for the transport of goods. It is quite natural that large and reputable companies can afford to equip them with the latest technology, and therefore in compliance with optimal storage / transportation conditions. With such care, tires will practically not lose their original characteristics even after several years.
Based on the foregoing, the following conclusion can be drawn. Even if the tires are made several years ago, but have been properly stored and have excellent quality they are practically indistinguishable from new ones. And if such rubber outwardly looks fresh, and when examining its surfaces, no cracks and pale areas were found, then it can be safely purchased. And here it must be said that, ceteris paribus, last year's model will cost less than just off the assembly line.
Most experts and motorists agree and recommend the following.
- If you have an alternative, lean towards fresher tires, but don't make this a top priority, especially if the tires are less than two years old.
- In the off-season, store rubber in special bags that will protect it from most negative external influences.
- Park your vehicle in the shade to avoid direct sunlight on the tires. This will not only prolong the life of the tires, but also protect the interior from burning out.
- Check regularly for wear and tear on the tread. Incorrect pressure can cause tires to overheat, and as a result, uneven wear their tread.
In conclusion, we recall that you need to pay attention to the date of production, both when purchasing used tires and when buying new tires, because it often happens that three-four-year-old models are bought up in bulk abroad and sold on domestic market as new for the season. And if for some period this rubber was stored in violation of the conditions, then nothing but problems should be expected from it.
"The 60-day warranty tells us that the device will explode on the 61st day"
Arthur Bloch (American writer)
A joke is a joke, but with modern production volumes, when quantity is often paid much more attention than quality, a product warranty is one of critical factors which the buyer is guided by when choosing.
A form with a seal inspires the consumer with confidence that he will not only be able to return the product if necessary or repair it free of charge, but also hope for the declared characteristics for a certain period of time.
How does this information relate to car tires?
The fact is that the buyer of tires, purchasing goods in the store, of course, receives a guarantee. BUT!
The main thing here is not to confuse the store warranty with the factory one. And when buying on the market, by the way, there can be no talk of any guarantee. But this does not eliminate the need to know the date of manufacture of the tire. Why is this necessary if the outside of the rubber looks great?
This is the main question. Back to factory warranty. Now global tire manufacturers give a guarantee for their products for 5 years.
Do you understand what this means? During this period, you can count on the declared characteristics of the product (traction, durability, deformation, softness, hardness, etc.). After the warranty period has ended, under the influence of the atmospheric environment, the rubber gradually breaks down and loses its operational properties, because of which you purchased tires.
It should also be noted that the 5-year warranty a priori assumes proper storage tires (in special bags, away from sunlight). And can you be sure when buying new tires in a store or market that they are really new?
And will they “keep” performance for all 5 years?
Of course, if the seller offers you "new" tires, but at the same time honestly admits that in fact they are already 2 years old and he is ready to drop the price - this is one thing. But buying 2-year tires for the price of freshly released tires is fundamentally the wrong decision.
This is where knowing how to find out the date of manufacture of tires comes in handy. Pay attention to the picture at the beginning of the article.
As you can see, the arrow points to 4 numbers in an oval. This is a code that is quite easy to decipher. In our case, the tire was manufactured in the 1st week of 2003. That is, in this code, the first two digits are the week, the second are the year.
Old tires have a three-digit code. But it is also easy to hack if desired. The first two digits in it are still the week. And the last one... However, let's look at an example.
*109* - the tire was produced in the 10th week of 1989.
* 109 * (i.e., with a space, which can also be a triangle) - the tire was produced in the 10th week of 1999.
That's all. Nothing complicated, right? But now you will be much more confident talking to the seller and will be able to reduce the price.
P.S. Of course, we now have a classic case when theory is at odds with practice. In fact, buying really NEW tires in the store is almost impossible. In any case, they are stored in a warehouse for some time (first of the manufacturing plant, and then of the seller). Therefore, do not be too strict with the shops.
