There was a mild drama recently at the popular Enuowa Street tyre market, in Idumota Lagos. Mr. Tunde Lawal and his thugs stormed the shop of Mr. Bayo Osidelu, a tyre dealer, whom he claimed sold poor second hand tyres to him instead of brand new tyres he demanded and paid for.
According to Lawal, barely a week after purchasing the supposedly brand new tyres, he almost had a fatal accident as the two new tyres burst on the highway while he was on his way to Ondo State.
Narrating his ordeal, he said he came to Osidelu’s shop exactly on the 14th of July this year and requested for two brand new tyres as he was embarking on a journey. “I knew my tyres were weak so I decided to change the two front ones. I paid a total of N130,000 as demanded by the seller. I watched as he brought the tyres still wrapped in the manufacturer’s nylon. I checked the tyres and was convinced they were new tyres, but surprisingly, they burst after one week of usage.”
As the crowd tried to restrain Lawal from fighting Osidelu, the seller himself was insisting that contrary to Lawal’s claims that he sold brand new tyres to him. So what could have happened?
As a consumer, you must be aware that the new tyres you are buying are actually new and not unsold inventory. New tyres that have been in storage for several years can unintentionally be sold to customers as brand new tires.
Buying new tyres that are already 1-2 years old is sort of like buying food that is already near its expiration date. You run the risk of paying for old rubber.
Old ‘new’ rubber
An old tyre that has never been used can look exactly like a brand-new one. The tread is good, and the manufacturer stickers may still be on it. When tyres reach a certain age, the rubber begins to dry out and crack. That can make it unsafe for road use, as it runs the risk of blowing out, falling apart, or losing traction during bad road conditions. That is why one should know how to find the date a tyre was made before having them installed on your vehicle. Every set of tyre goes through a different lifespan so there is no way to calculate a general rule for how long a tyre should be kept on the road.
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Many drivers are not aware that minimally used tires, like the ones on recreational vehicles, collectible cars, or even spare tires, tend to experience aging instead of wearing, due to a lack of driving. An aged tire has a substantial amount of tread; however, the structural integrity of the tire is weaker because the tire needs to be driven for the chemicals in the rubber to remain effective.
How to age tire
When shopping for a new set of tyres take a look at the tyres themselves. You will notice that on the sidewall there are a series of numbers in front of the word ‘DOT’ which stands for the Department of Transportation and the numbers that follow are like the tyre’s social security number. Those numbers tell you the size, manufacture code, where it was made, and there are two sets of numbers that tell you what week and year it was made. Those are the numbers you need to focus on, or ask an attendant to show you.
For example, if you see the number 1214 that means the tyre was made in the 12th week of 2014. These numbers are usually the last four numbers on the DOT code. All tyres made from 2000 to now have this number pattern. Tyres made before 2000 have a different code, but any tyre over 10 years old is not recommended for road use. They are too old.
Furthermore, the letters ‘DOT’ in most cases are followed by eleven or twelve letters and numbers. On tires made after the year 2000, the final four digits signify the week and year of manufacture. So, a tire with ‘3618’ would have been made in the 36th week or 2018. A tire that has a 3-digit week-and-year code means the tire was made before the year 2000 and should be replaced due to age.
Spare tyres
Throwing away a spare tyre that has never been used may look like throwing away money. Spare tyres are meant to aid you for a short period of time and it is best practice to replace them when you purchase a new set of tyres for your vehicle. We recommend you avoid the risk of driving with a 7-9 -year -old spare tyre after experiencing a flat or blowout.
Fresh new tires
In summary, when you go to a retail store to buy new tyres, you may actually be buying ‘new’ tyres that have been in storage for several years. As a consumer, you have the right to ask for the newest tyres because that’s what you are paying for. Knowing how to figure out the age of a tyre means being savvy about your purchase.
Factors that influence durability of tyres
Several factors influence how long a tyre can serve you. Miles driven, road conditions, driving style, maintenance, and age, all affect how long a tyre lasts.
Tyres naturally wear the more they are driven, and worn-out tires provide reduced traction compared to those with adequate tread.
Curbs, potholes, and other hazards
Hitting curbs or driving on roads in poor condition (potholes, broken pavement, poorly graded railroad crossings, unpaved roads, etc.), can cause misalignment, and suspension damage that affects tire wear.
Weather conditions
Driving in poor weather conditions like ice, snow, and rain can cause tires to wear quickly because they must work harder to maintain traction.
Poor driving habits
Poor driving habits like hard cornering, quick acceleration, and sudden braking can increase the stress on tires tremendously, causing them to wear rapidly. Drivers can extend the life of their tires significantly by avoiding aggressive driving.
Neglected maintenance
It is important to regularly have tires checked for damage, to maintain air pressure levels, and to keep tyres aligned and rotated. Without proper maintenance, tyre life can be reduced by as much as half – even more, in some cases.