Shopping for tires should be a simple and relatively painless process. Unfortunately, for many tire shoppers, they may be unknowingly buying a driving hazard. Tires are made of rubber and composite materials that break down over time. This means that they have a life expectancy outside of normal tread life. It’s likely that your tire retail center, especially the national chains, won’t discuss this with you, but it can be deadly. The link below is to a 20/20 news story discussing this matter. Purchasing tires directly from a tire distributor like Tire Rack who will drop ship to a recommended tire installer in your area is one way to make sure that you’re getting the newest tires possible. This is how I purchase my tires and Tire Rack makes it a simple process, as long as you plan a few days ahead.
News Link: Aged Tires: A Driving Hazard? – ABC News.
In short, make sure that when you shop for tires you check the manufacture date. Now that you’ve watched that video it should be simple for you to find. In no way should you buy tires that are older than a year or two. An informed consumer is a good consumer, especially when it comes to the safety of your family. Remember, tread life is different than tire life. Let the retailer know this when you’re shopping for tires and you and your family will be much safer as a result.
