When it comes to tire safety, did you that tire age is even more important than tread depth? Our Stocker Subaru dealership wants to make sure you keep track of your vehicle’s tire age, especially the spare. Old tires are a safety hazard and we want to keep you as safe as possible.
The Dangers of Buying Used Tires
Here’s a chilling example of what can happen with an old tires. In 2008, the owner of a 1998 Ford Explorer bought a used tire for his SUV. Two weeks later, the tread separated from the tire resulting in the Explorer going out of control, hitting a motorcycle and killing its rider. A post-crash analysis of the used tire showed that it was nearly 10 years old.
How to Determine Tire Health
For years, people have relied on a tire's tread depth to determine the condition of the tires. This usually works, but if your vehicle is not driven a lot, the rubber compounds in a tire still deteriorate over time, regardless of the condition of the tread. And an old tire poses a significant safety hazard. This is why it’s especially important to keep track of your spare tire. Especially in a warm climate, the spare tire can wear out just by baking in the trunk of a hot car.
The rubber in a tire deteriorates the way a rubber band does. Over time, cracks in the rubber develop on the surface and inside the tire as well. This eventually causes the steel belts in the tread to separate from the tire.
For most people, old tires are not an issue since the rubber wears out well before the recommended replacement mileage of 12,000-15,000/year. But if you only drive 6,000 miles a year, or have a specialized car you only drive on weekends, aging tires could be an issue. Don’t forget the spare tire and any unused tires that are more than 5 years old.
How Long Does a Tire Last?
Many car manufacturers recommend replacing tires after five years. But, if you live in a warm or coastal climate, your tires will age more quickly, according to the NHTSA. This includes the spare, which could be ‘baked’ in the trunk of your vehicle. If your tires are over five years old, it’s definitely a good idea to have them inspected annually.
Bring Your Subaru to Our Experts at Stocker Subaru
#Stocker Subaru is your Subaru dealer in the State College, PA area. Whether you’re shopping for a new or pre-owned vehicle, financing or want to bring your vehicle in for service, we hope you come to Stocker Subaru. We also have an extensive selection of new, certified pre-owned and used cars for sale in PA. Our factory-trained and certified technicians are among the best in the state and they look forward to keeping your Subaru running like new. We look forward to being your State College car dealer. Learn more at our website at www.stockersubaru.com.
Stocker Subaru
1454 Dreibelbis Street
State College, PA 16801
Phone: 814-568-3004
Website: https://www.stockersubaru.com/?ibp-adgroup=SE_Target
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