Symptoms
- Tires look okay but are several years old
- Tiny cracks appearing in the sidewall or between tread blocks
- Unsure of the tire's actual age since it was on the car when purchased
Likely causes
- CommonRubber compound hardening and drying with ageHeat and UV exposure break down the rubber over years, even with good tread depth.
- PossibleExtended storage or infrequent drivingTires that sit unused for long periods, like on a rarely-driven car, age just as fast from time as from wear.
What to do
- Find the DOT code on the tire's sidewall; the last four digits are the week and year of manufacture (for example, 2318 means the 23rd week of 2018).
- Check all four tires since they may have been replaced at different times.
- Inspect the sidewalls and tread grooves for small cracks, which are a sign of aging rubber.
- If tires are over 6 years old, have a tire shop inspect them even if tread looks fine.
- Replace any tire over 10 years old regardless of appearance, per most manufacturer guidance.
Tools and parts
Replacement tiresSearch: “tire size for [your car model]”
When to call a pro
Have a tire shop inspect any tire over 6 years old, since aging can be invisible from a quick look but still be dangerous at speed.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.