An average 33,000 accidents happen annually because of tires, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. At least 2,000 of those are blowout-related.
What causes a tire to fail?
When this happens, we often think the tire wasn’t strong enough or there is some sort of defect in the tire. Manufacturing defect, poor quality or faulty materials are rarely the causes of tire failure.
How long do tyres last?
In 5 years, your tyres will probably have been run over many different surfaces and perhaps have suffered shocks. After 5 years of use, have them checked by a professional at least once a year. This will ensure that they have not been damaged prematurely and that they do not endanger you or your passengers. Tyre DOT: how to tell tyre age?
How often should I replace my tyres?
You should inspect your tyres regularly – at least once a month. Check the list below to see if your tyres need replacing: Tread Wear Indicators: most tyres have tread wear indicators – you can only see these indicators when your tread depth has gone beyond the limit, which is generally 1.6 mm.
What happens if a tire is older than 6 years?
Kane and his organization have identified over 250 incidents in which tires older than six years have experienced tread and belt separations — most resulting in loss-of-control and rollover crashes. These incidents were the cause of 233 fatalities and 300 injuries in 2012. Every tire that’s on the road long enough will succumb to age.
Why do tires go bad?
This is because tires are made mostly of rubber, and rubber degrades with age. Sunlight, heat, ice, and general wear and tear can accelerate the breakdown of a tire.
Why do tires age dangerously?
Tires age dangerously because of a chemical process commonly referred to as oxidation, which simply means that as the tire components are exposed to oxygen, the oxygen particles cause the flexible components of a tire to harden and become brittle. Over time, the tire will simply fall apart under normal stress, just like an old rubber band.
Why do tires expire?
A tires service time expires because of the rubber aging, as the material is always exposed to oxygen that makes the particles become harder and less flexible. As a result, the rubber starts to crack outside and inside, which may cause tread or steel cord separation and complete tire failure.
What happens if you leave tires outside?
Furthermore, tires stored outside are even worse off. For instance, the sun alone can do a lot of damage to a tire. If you leave a tire sitting out where the sub reaches it, the rubber on the upward-facing side will quickly dry out. For this reason, we don’t recommend leaving tires out for very long.
What happens if a tire is under inflated?
A tire without enough air to carry the load is considered “under-inflated”. This is bad because it causes a lot more stress on the tire than it was designed for. A tire carrying a load greater than it was designed for is considered “overloaded”. Just like the under-inflated tire, it’s subject to higher stresses than it was engineered for.
How old are bad tires?
Most auto manufacturers recommend replacing tires over six years old regardless of tread depth. Some tire manufacturers like Michelin and Continental give a 10-year limit. As rubber compounds age, they deteriorate and become weaker like other rubber and plastic components on your car.
Is it too old for tires?
Tire manufacturers suggest replacing tires that are six years old. Anything more than that is considered too old for tires. However, some manufacturers claim their tires to be usable for ten years. And more than that, it is too old even if the tire treads are in good condition. The answer here may make you ask a lot of questions.
Are 20 year old tires safe?
Most experts agree that 20 year old tires are not safe. While the rubber may not have deteriorated to the point where it is falling apart, it is likely that the treads are significantly worn down. This can cause a number of problems, including decreased traction and increased risk of blowouts.
What is the tire age limit?
Tire Age Limit Law Most carmakers have a tire age limit of six years from the date of manufacture. That means if you have a set of four tires that are more than six years old, you should replace them. The rule of thumb is that tires begin to deteriorate as soon as they’re made, so it’s important to keep an eye on their age.
How does tire age affect driving safety?
Tire age is an often-overlooked factor that can drastically affect driving safety. Drivers usually gauge the life of their tires by the amount of tread it has left, rarely taking into account the effect age has on them. Just because your tires have tread left doesn’t mean they are safe.
Can tires go bad from not driving?
The tires can go flat. Tires usually keep their shape through steady use even though they hold the entire weight of a car. But when a car is left to sit, they can become warped, flat and deflated. Definitely check your tires’ air pressure before you resume driving.
What happens if you don’t drive your car for a while?
We may like to imagine our cars stay in whatever condition we leave them in, but not driving your car for a while can still cause some gnarly damage. Tire rot is like a death sentence for your tires, and while they may appear safe to drive on at first, they can be dangerous.
Is it safe to drive on dry rot tires?
Tire rot is like a death sentence for your tires, and while they may appear safe to drive on at first, they can be dangerous. You can get dry rot on your tires for a number of reasons, but let’s focus on the topic at hand – leaving your tires unused can be just as bad as driving them underinflated.
What happens if you drive a car with a flat tire?
If you drive every other week the flat spots will round out no problem with enough driving to heat the engine up to normal. If the car sits for too long they can become permanent. While the tire will still work, there will be an annoying sound from them when you drive and they will be out of balance as well.
What happens if you don’t fix a tire?
Careful motorists are usually able to avoid this type of damage, unless an obstacle suddenly appears in front of a vehicle and they can’t steer around it. Ignoring such damage increases the risk of tire failure at some point in the future, either delamination of the tread and plies or disintegration of the tire sidewall.
Should I replace all 4 tires after flat?
Placing the new tires on the rear axle helps maintain safer and more predictable handling. As you approach 70 percent worn or more, you should just replace all four tires. To maintain optimum and balanced handling, remember not to change the type of tire.
Do I need to replace all four tires at once?
Most of the cars on the road today are front-wheel-drive, and a few are rear-wheel drive. These don’t necessarily need to have all four tires replaced at once. Usually two at a time is sufficient. But all-wheel-drive systems are becoming more popular, and they do require all four tires to be replaced at one time.
When should you change your tires?
The Surprising Answer Let’s face it: most vehicle owners don’t ever think about their tires until they get a flat, their mechanic tells them they have a problem, or some whisper in the back of their head tells them it’s time to replace one or more of them (check out our post on how to know when to change your tires).
Should I replace the back tires of my car?
Some tire dealers will shave down the new tire so it matches the tread depth of other tires on your car. Make sure to inquire about this practice and determine that the dealer knows what they are doing. It is better to replace the back tires. For steering and control purposes, replacing the back two tires is the best way to go.
Do you need to replace a punctured tire?
A punctured tire. Not all punctures require you to replace your tire; some punctures, like those due to normal wear and tear, can simply be repaired. If the metal structure of the tire is not visible, or if the inside of the tire has not been damaged, you probably won’t need to replace it.
