In 2018, over a quarter million passenger tires were shipped in the United States, according to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. Given that Americans drive over three trillion miles every year, according to the Department of Transportation, those millions of tires are needed to replace worn, damaged, aged or dry-rotted tires. When considering tire replacement for your vehicle, whether they’re winter tires that have been in storage or tires you got from a friend, it’s important to know how to tell if tires are dry rotted.
Tires age as soon as they’re manufactured, ideally lasting up to 10 years, but shipping, handling and exposure accelerate aging and dry rot, shortening their life. If a tire dry rots, tire components, such as the tread, sidewalls, belts or bead wire, may separate. Tread separation or sidewall blowout at highway speeds could result in a crash.
Here’s how to determine if your tires are safe to drive on.
How to Tell If Tires Are Dry Rotted
A close look at your tires will help you determine whether they’re safe for service or ready for recycling. Cracks on the surface of the rubber, whether on the tread, shoulder or sidewall areas, are a good sign your tires are ready for recycling. These surface cracks are an indication that your tires have deeper cracks you can’t see, such as where the tread or sidewalls bond to the belts.
Another factor is the DOT code, an alphanumeric string that’s usually eight or twelve digits long, molded into the tire sidewall. A valid DOT (Department of Transportation) code means the tire meets DOT safety standards. The DOT code or tire identification number (TIN) looks something like this: DOT PCTS PWPY or DOT PCTS OMFR PWPY. Here’s what each section of the code means:
- PC: Plant code, identifying which company made the tire.
- TS: Tire size, such as 245/50R16.
- OMFR: Optional manufacturer code.
- PW: Production week (the week of the year the tire was made).
- PY: Production year (the two-digit year the tire was produced).
For example, if the DOT code reads DOT U2LL 5117, the tire was made by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Japan (U2), size 245/50R16 (LL), in the 51st week (51) of the year 2017 (17). Most manufacturers don’t recommend using tires that are over six years old, so these tires should be discarded after 2023, even if you can’t see any cracks.
How to Tell If Tires Have Tread Wear
Tread wear is another reason to replace your tires. You might have heard that you can use a coin to gauge tread depth, but nothing beats a compact and easy-to-use tire tread depth gauge. Measure all the main grooves across the tread, but not on the tread wear indicators, which are 2/32″ shallower. If any measurement is below 4/32″, wet braking and snow traction are significantly impaired. At 2/32″ tread depth, wet braking distance can be nearly double that of a new tire.
Inspect tires at least monthly for pressure, age, tread wear and dry rot. Consult your local, trusted mechanic at your next oil change or during seasonal maintenance for a professional recommendation.
Check out all the tire and wheel products available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on your vehicle’s tires, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
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Source: NAPA Know How