HOW TO DETERMINE THE AGE OF YOUR TYRES

The age of a tyre affects performance and safety, with most manufacturers recommending that tyres are replaced regularly. There is no age limit for tyres, but it is generally advisable to keep a close eye on any road tyres older than 5 years. THE EFFECTS OF TYRE AGE Tyres generally rendered unusable by wear or damage before the signs of ageing become a problem. Spare tyres as well as tyres for caravans or seasonal agricultural implements do have problems however, as they can often be left unattended for a long time, and the tyres might not be in the same condition when coming out of storage. Ageing tyres may start to crack, and as the rubber degrades the tyres become more vulnerable to cuts and punctures. The risk of sudden tyre failure also increases, and the tyres are more work to maintain as they become more porous and air starts to escape. CHECKING THE AGE OF A TYRE All tyres have a coded date of manufacture on the sidewall. This is a four-digit number noting the week and year of production: for example "0714" would mean that the tyre was made in the 7th week of 2014. Many tyres will have this date of production after the DOT code, which is required on tyres used in the USA. GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR TYRES There are a few steps you can take to maximise the life of tyres which will perish before they wear out. Tyres should be kept out of direct sunlight and rain, as well as away from oil, grease, petrol/diesel and ozone from high-voltage electrical equipment. Machines which are not in regular use, such as caravans and seasonal agricultural implements, should be moved backwards and forwards throughout the year to avoid the tyres developing flat spots or deformations due to being sat still for too long.