Tire Age Indicator Recommended Action 6-8 years old Have tires inspected annually by a professional. Rubber compounds degrade over time due to exposure to oxygen, ozone, and ultraviolet light, a process known as dry rot.
Protecting Your Tires from Road Hazards and Age-Related Damage
Over time, the tread depth diminishes, and the grooves designed to channel water away from the tire surface become shallower. This degradation makes the rubber brittle and more susceptible to blowouts, particularly as the tire heats up under load.
When the tread wears down to the point where the built-in tread wear indicators, small bars within the grooves, become flush with the surrounding rubber, the tire is no longer safe for wet conditions. Understanding the Role of Age and Time Even if a tire has substantial tread depth, its age can make it unsafe.
Protecting Tires from Road Hazards and Environmental Damage
10 years old Replace tires immediately, regardless of condition. Persistent punctures that cannot be properly repaired.
More About When do you need to change your tires
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