Tire shops will often check the pressure for you. Some gas stations have digital readouts as part of their air pumps; these are not always accurate, though. Tire shops and mechanics will use a balance machine, which spins the wheel to see where high and low spots are and detects any imbalance.
The tire shop will then add weights, which are hammered onto the wheel, to balance them. These shops can also make make sure your wheels are aligned to keep the car tracking straight, which also reduces tire wear. Rotating your tires can help prolong their lives. For front-wheel-drive vehicles, the tires in the front will wear more quickly and can be swapped with the rear ones.
The inverse is true for rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks. If not used, tires last for years, depending on the storage and environmental conditions. Overall, the time limits for stored tires are much the same as for tires that are being used. However, some admit that a tire can be operable up to 10 years if you check it for issues annually after the 5 th year.
Oxygen is the main element responsible for rubber deterioration, as it breaks rubber down from both outside and inside. So, unlike UV and ozone damage, the process of oxidation is twice as fast. Special antioxidant compounds are used in rubber, but they only slow the aging process down.
If the polymer structure gets altered by oxygen in any way, it results in rubber deterioration. When tires are exposed to sunlight, the rubber immediately starts absorbing UV radiation. The process is the same with both natural and synthetic polymers, which make up rubber compounds. The process of deterioration, due to the impact of UV, is called photo degradation. Tire manufacturers try to fight this with the help of carbon black.
However, any shield loses its ability to stabilize UV radiation after some time. So, the rubber is eventually exposed to the destructive rays, and the tires last for less time. Furthermore, if you read the fine print on most tire treadwear warranties, it specifies limits on mileage and how old the tire is. For instance, Firestone warranties only last for ten years from the date of manufacture, regardless of when you bought the tire or how many miles you put on it.
Remember always to ask to see the tires before they install them on your vehicle so you can check this number!
Also, check each tire individually. Reputable tire retailers will only sell new ones, but independent mechanics might try to save money by selling you used or recovered models. The easiest way to make sure you are getting a fresh product is by checking the DOT identifier on the sidewall portion of the tire. When you first purchase your vehicle, each tire should be from the same stock and therefore have the same tire age.
When replacing them, the best advice although somewhat expensive is to change all of them together. If you replace only one or some, then any older tire will be more vulnerable to blowouts. Of course, if you decide to change all of them together, check the date code to ensure they are new.
If you can only see an incomplete DOT number on your tire, check the opposite side. Current DOT regulations only require the full code to be imprinted on one side of the tire. Checking the inside wall of the tire will commonly solve the problem. Tire codes are required by the Department of Transportation. It is advisable to immediately change a tire without a code for your own safety.
Never purchase new ones that do not have this code on the side. Tires should usually be replaced every six to ten years. This can vary depending on environmental conditions like exposure to oxygen, sunlight, ozone, heat, and moisture.
It can also depend on tire usage and wear condition. Check your tires every year before the winter season to make sure your treads are in good condition and deep enough to ensure traction during inclement weather conditions. Tire companies might find themselves with an overstock of aging tires.
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