An Expiration Date For Tires?

SEATTLE - We all know that food goes bad when it gets old, so we check the "use by" date. Could the same thing be true with tires?

Ford and Daimler Chrysler are telling customers that car and truck tires get old, too, and that they should be replaced after six years - regardless of whether they have any signs of wear.

In May, Ford posted information on its web site, stating that based on its research, tires "degrade over time, even when they are not being used."

The company says heat, caused by hot climates or frequent high loading, “can accelerate the aging process.”

Tire makers say their products are not milk, and that replacement is based on tread depth not age, but Ford and Daimler Chrysler are putting warnings about old rubber in their 2006 owner’s manuals.

Chrysler says ignoring the warning “can result in sudden tire failure. You can lose control and have an accident resulting in serious injury or death."

For most of us, this warning applies to that good-looking spare tire in the trunk. If it's more than 6 years old, you might want to consider replacing it.

For More Information:

Old Tires Are Risky, Automakers Will Tell Consumers

Industry Wants Rule on Life of Tires