By Majemite Okome

Environmental conditions like exposure to sunlight and coastal climates, as well as poor storage and infrequent use, accelerates the aging process. In ideal conditions, a tyre may have a life expectancy that exceeds ten years from its date of manufacture. However, such conditions are rare. Aging may not exhibit any external indications and, since there is no non-destructive test to assess the serviceability of a tyre, even an inspection carried out by a tyre expert may not reveal the extent of any deterioration.”

More recently, the Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association (JATMA) recommended practice, states, “Customers are encouraged to have their vehicle tyres promptly inspected after five years of use to determine if the tyres can continue to be used (recommends spare tyres be inspected as well). Furthermore, even when the tyres look usable, it is recommended that all tyres (including spare tyres) that were made more than ten years ago be replaced with new tyres.

Additionally, because in some cases automobile makers—based on the characteristics of the relevant vehicle—stipulate in the owner’s manual the timing of tyre inspection and replacement. Please read and confirm the content of the owner’s manual.”

Several European vehicle manufacturers of high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans identify that “under no circumstances should tyres older than 6 years be used” in their vehicle owner’s manual. However, it should be noted that European recommendations must include driving conditions that include roads like the German Autobahn, which allows vehicles to be legally driven at their top speeds for extended periods of time.

While American driving conditions don’t include the high-speed challenges of the German Autobahn, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors have joined their European colleagues by recommending that tyres installed as Original Equipment be replaced after six years of service.

It is important to take into account Original Equipment tyres are mounted on wheels and put into service right after being received by vehicle manufacturers, so their calendar age begins immediately. However the same cannot be said of tyres properly stored in a tyre manufacturers’ warehouse or in Tyre Rack distribution centers before they go into service. Properly stored tyres that are protected from the elements and not mounted on a wheel age very slowly before they are mounted and put into service.

Our experience has been that when properly stored and cared for, most street tyres have a useful   life in service of between six to ten years. And while part of that time is spent as the tyre travels from the manufacturing plant to the manufacturer’s distribution center, to the retailer and to you, the remainder is the time it spends on your vehicle.