Shelf life of winter tires studs

According to GOST

The legislator has fixed the basic requirements for tires:

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1. GOST 4754-97 “Pneumatic tires for passenger cars, their trailers, light trucks and especially low-capacity buses. Technical Specifications” provides a classification and explanation of markings, establishes an expiration date of 5 years from the date of manufacture.
2. GOST 5513-97 “Pneumatic tires for trucks, their trailers, buses and trolleybuses. Technical conditions".
3. GOST 52900-2007 “Pneumatic tires for passenger cars and trailers. Technical conditions".

What is the expiration date of car tires? GOST

The duration of time, which is calculated from the moment of production of rubber over the next 5 years, is the shelf life of the tires established by the manufacturer. If the wheels have been lying in a warehouse for almost 5 years, then a decent seller will dissuade the car owner from buying. The fact is that most selling companies are guided by GOST, which regulates the rules and storage periods for tires.

Standards GOST 4754-97, GOST 24779-81 and GOST R 54266-2010 prescribe a shelf life in warehouses of 5 years. The standards also stipulate warehousing and storage conditions. For example, the room should have a minimum of ultraviolet radiation, a favorable temperature of +10°+20°C (maximum temperature conditions +/- 35°C), humidity no more than 80%. During storage, tires must be periodically changed in piles and it is advisable not to hang them on hooks. The presence of cracks and deformation on the warehouse tire indicates a violation of storage conditions.

What is the expiration date of rubber?

The law establishes the standard period for wheel tires - 5 years. However, there is no strict ban on their further use, so many people sell, buy, and continue to drive on tires that have long since crossed this threshold.

Indeed, global companies producing rubber tires provide a guarantee for their products from 6 to 10 years. Therefore, the service life comes to the fore, when tires are able to maintain their properties and meet safety requirements.

IMPORTANT! The expiration date is calculated from the moment of production, not the start of use.

At the winter

Rubber for the cold season is softer, has a specific composition and service life. Its peculiarity is Velcro or studs, which are designed to improve traction and speed up braking.

The average service life indicated by manufacturers is 7 years under ideal operating and maintenance conditions. It is clear that given the Russian climate and roads it is impossible to ensure this, so using the same tires is permissible for a maximum of 3-4 seasons. It should be noted that Velcro will last a little longer.

At the summer

Summer tires vary by category. The composition, purpose, and wear resistance depend on it. It is logical to assume that tires for driving at high speeds over 200 km/h marked H, ZR are subject to greater loads and wear out faster.

For the safety of the car owner, it is strongly recommended to replace such tires after a maximum of 6 years. The same principle applies to large vehicles and trailers. They last a long time, have a low annual mileage, the treads may look decent without external damage, but this is not evidence of their reliability.

The permissible period of use of regular summer tires can be obtained from the manufacturer. Often, it is stated as a guarantee. In any case, using tires for more than 5 years is accompanied by a certain risk.

Therefore, it is especially dangerous to buy used tires. It is unknown how often it was used, maintained, stored, or whether it was properly cared for. Therefore, it is impossible to say exactly how long it will serve its new owner.

Types of winter tires

Usually there are two types of winter tires - with studs and Velcro. Each of these types of tires has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The so-called Velcro are made of special quality rubber.

It is very soft and resistant to low temperatures. This ensures better traction. These tires can be said to stick to the road surface.

They are best suited for use in regions with mild climates, as well as in urban environments. However, Velcro tires have a longer braking distance than studded tires. In addition, they perform worse on ice and snow.

Tires with studs are considered the safest. They are great for extreme cold.

At the same time, the excellent grip of studded wheels with the road can significantly reduce the braking distance. Such tires perform well on icy roads, as well as those covered with wet snow. Such wheels perform much worse when used on wet asphalt.

However, such wheels also have disadvantages. They are quite heavy and make a lot of noise when driving at high speed. In addition, the spikes wear out very quickly, and fuel consumption during their operation increases.

Storage period for tires for cars without use

According to GOST, it is 5 years, but this does not mean that they will be unsuitable.
What is more important here is how they were stored all this time. When changing from summer to winter or vice versa, an unused set must be kept in appropriate conditions so that it will last for more than one season.

Storage conditions

If tires are stored without rims, they are placed on the tread. If on disks, they need to be hung or stacked on top of each other. To maintain elasticity, you will need to lubricate with a special tire care product.

Where is better

A warehouse without a source of direct sunlight, exposure to ozone, or mineral oils is ideal for this purpose. It should be well heated (from +10 to +35 °C), and the humidity should be maintained at a normal level (

Factors that affect tire performance

The most significant factors can be identified:

1. The production date is always indicated on the rim.
2. Storage conditions. If they are inappropriate, this threatens the formation of microcracks invisible to the eye. They gradually lead to the destruction of rubber.
3. Mileage. Both daily driving and prolonged downtime are destructive.
4. Pressure. To extend the life of tires, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for pressure levels, otherwise the life will be reduced by 15%.
5. Driving faster than 120 km/h reduces the shelf life by half.
6. Exceeding the permissible vehicle load. Constant overloads will reduce the tire use time by a third.
7. Technical condition of the car. Some faults can lead to increased load on the tires.

Winter

For winter, in addition to the above factors, pressure is important. It should be 0.2 bar higher than recommended. Also in winter you need to carefully monitor the serviceability of the wheel alignment.

Summer

In summer, elevated road temperatures are detrimental to tires. Therefore, it is important not to delay the timely change of winter tires to summer tires.

How to check the degree of wear

You need to find out whether the tread is worn.

IMPORTANT! A residual height of 1.6 mm is considered critical.

But don't wait for this mark. It is better to use summer tires up to 2-3 mm, winter tires up to 4-6 mm. There are several methods for measurement:

1. Visual inspection. Obvious damage will become visible: cuts, cracks. It is worth studying the wear indicator - a protrusion perpendicular to the axis of rotation. If it is equal to the tread height, it is time for replacement.
2. Using a caliper or ruler. Measurements must be taken at ten points around the circumference, in the center, along the edges. By summarizing the data, one can judge the suitability.

How to increase the period of use of wheel tires

To extend the life of your car tires, you need to follow simple rules:

1. Check pressure periodically. When there is a long road ahead, the weight of the car increases significantly; when using a trailer, the pressure must be slightly increased, otherwise the tires will sag and wear out faster under the weight of the car.
2. Control suspension geometry. To do this, every month you need to undergo diagnostics of the chassis and steering. Failure to comply may result in uneven grinding.
3. Store correctly.
4. Don't speed.
5. No need to drift.

Actual tire service life

The service life of car tires is affected by the following parameters:

1. The date the product was manufactured by the manufacturer.
2. Storage conditions. The surface should not have small cracks, scratches or other defects visible to the human eye.
3. Mileage level. Transport cannot be left idle for a long time. It is also not recommended to drive too much in extreme conditions, which significantly reduces the life of car tires.
4. It is necessary to observe the pressure level, which is regulated by the manufacturer. Otherwise, your car will break down faster and the shelf life of winter studded tires will also be reduced.
5. Driving at high speeds.
6. Vehicle overload.
7. Some technical problems.

For winter tires

In winter, it is important to maintain a higher blood pressure level. You should also more carefully monitor the chassis to extend the shelf life and service life of winter studded tires.

This type of tire is slightly different from regular tires. Their structure is softer. There are small Velcro strips on the surface that provide better grip on the road surface.

Under normal conditions, the service life and operation of winter Velcro or studded tires can reach seven years. This can only be achieved with proper maintenance and excellent roads.

Otherwise, the service life of winter Velcro is three or four years. After this, it is better to replace it to avoid unpleasant situations. The service life of winter studded tires is also within several years.

With summer tires

Tire life depends on various factors. Manufacturers recommend replacement every six years, subject to all operating conditions. To ensure optimal safety, it is recommended that you check with the manufacturer.

Tire marking

This is complete information about tires in one place. It is standard; dimensions, technological characteristics, and features are indicated on the side.

What to look for when purchasing

When purchasing, you need to look at the following characteristics:

1. Is the type and size suitable for a particular car? These specs look like 195/65R15, where:

• 195 – profile width in millimeters;
• 65 – percentage ratio of profile height and width;
• R – radial cord;
• 15 – disk diameter in inches.

You can learn about the needs of a specific machine from technical documents.

1. Speed ​​and load. For example, 98W means: 98 – load per wheel (kg). W – maximum speed (km/h). Decodings are indicated in special tables common to the whole world.
2. Brand, date of manufacture. After the manufacturer's letter designation there are four numbers - this is the week and year of manufacture.
3. Seasonality. The summer one is marked with the image of the sun, the winter one – with snowflakes.

How to identify expired tires

You need to find the production date and add 5 years to it. You also need to stock up on measuring instruments and assess the degree of tread wear. The residual height of 2-3 mm will be critical for summer, and 4-6 mm for winter.

When tires should not be used

For your own safety, it is better not to use:

1. Tires that have served their service life for 5 years. This is especially true for winter tires and cases where the conditions for storing and caring for them are unknown.
2. Operation beyond the permissible tread wear is prohibited.
3. With uneven wear.

The law does not oblige car owners to change tires; this is a matter of personal responsibility to themselves and other areas of the road.

A responsible car enthusiast should have an idea of ​​the expiration date of tires. It depends, first of all, on the conditions of operation and maintenance, however, it is quite clearly regulated by law. The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation establishes a warranty period for the storage of cars and motor tires in accordance with GOST 4754-97 and 5513. It is equal to 5 years before the start of use (at the supplier’s warehouse). The full term is 10 years from the date of issue.

Motorcycle tires are no different from car tires in this case; the same rules apply to them.

Let's look at the operating features that affect shelf life, depending on the season and the car.

A few tricks

The question of how many seasons you can safely drive on studded winter tires does not have a clear answer. First, look at the characteristics of the wheel, and then evaluate the driving style and weather conditions. If the set was purchased recently, then the shoes need to be broken in. While driving, the lubricant that was applied at the car dealership is removed. A thick layer of lubricant reduces traction, increasing the rate of wear. The driver travels on Velcro for about 100-150 km at a speed of about 55 km/h. If spikes are installed, then the drive costs 450-500 km. List of other recommendations:

• the service life of winter studded tires depends on the first 100 km of the road carefully covered, because the studs occupy the correct position;
• after the first 150 km, re-balancing is carried out on new shoes;
• every 8000 km the front and rear tires are swapped;
• after each rearrangement, the pressure level is monitored;
• Having noticed signs of uneven wear, repeat the wheel alignment;
• slow down the wear of Velcro and winter studded tires by using delicate detergents.

Check the tread pattern. The permissible reduction is no more than 15%.

The actual service life of winter studded tires or Velcro tires depends on driving style, the characteristics of the road surface, and compliance with maintenance rules. Installation and balancing is entrusted to an authorized service station. Rubber lasts longer without compromising the safety of the car if you follow the recommendations of the manufacturer and the advice of a service station representative.

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Deadlines by type

Summer

Summer tires have the task of draining water and keeping the car on the track. The clear leader among them in terms of quality is Pirelli. Pirelli is a regular in sports car racing competitions, it has high-quality drainage and excellent road holding at high speeds.

It is impossible not to mention the manufacturer Michelin (Michelin). Their tires have excellent grip properties and are environmentally friendly.

Shelf life is limited to 10 years.

However, Michelin produces the most flexible tires that last quite a long time, often exceeding stated standards.

Winter

Winter tires are distinguished by a softer rubber compound and the presence of sipes (slits in the tread).

Let's discuss how long winter tires can be stored. The answer is logical: the same as the summer one. Despite the softer composition, the coating also deteriorates and loses its properties. This applies to both studded and friction tires (“Velcro”).

In winter, you need to be especially vigilant: due to temperature changes, the pressure in the tire may be less than it was. It is worth maintaining it at a level of 2.2 atm for safety and better preservation. When driving along the highway, it is important to remember that an icy road threatens to skid and fly into the oncoming lane.

All-season

Modern requirements for driving a car are quite stringent: fast acceleration and good braking. Otherwise, the driver increases the risk of accidents. The concept of “all-season” is relative: there is not and cannot be such tires that would work well in both winter and summer.

“All-season” is an archaism of our fathers and grandfathers, who drove along open roads in their Volgas, Zhigulis and Moskvichs. For a modern passenger car, the most suitable tires for this category are:

• KAMA 217
• Goodyear Season 4,
• for NIVA - KAMA Flame.

For large SUVs:

• BF Goodrich
• Yokohama G15
• Cooper Discoverer H/T

For all passenger car tires that can be called all-season, there is one rule: the presence of sipes (slits in the tread) and more serious lugs for driving on unstable surfaces.

Freight

A truck tire has a massive cord (a base made of steel and polymer threads), but according to the rules of maintenance and use it differs little from a passenger car. Its price is quite high, so the protector is often welded on for further use.

This is fraught with consequences during long-term use: the wheel tire can literally burst. Therefore, the recommended operating time is up to 5 years.

Vehicle manufacturers, as a rule, supply inexpensive tires to factories; for example, the Minsk Tractor Plant (MTZ) cooperates with the Altai Tire Plant. The Kirov Tire Plant (KShZ) also makes a lot of inexpensive tires for trucks.

Unexploited

It happens that a certain number of tires do not reach the client, there is not enough space in the warehouse, and the question arises about their future fate.

Tires cannot remain in warehouses without use for more than 5-10 years and must be disposed of.

They are recycled and reused into paving slabs, treadmills and other rough rubber products.

By brand

Today there are a huge number of tire manufacturers on the market. We will consider only the main, most popular ones.

The maximum shelf life of all of the following is 10 years from the date of production.

Continental is a German brand that dates back to the 19th century. Continental is supplied as a tire for many cars. It is valued for its traditional German quality, but comes with a hefty price tag.

Dunlop is an old English company, the founder of pneumatic tires. The Dunlop Corporation produces its products all over the world; the most common supplies in Russia are from Asia.

Nexen is a good Korean brand, characterized by regular demand: it acts as a price/quality product, although it is inferior to Hankuk in popularity.

Bridgestone previously occupied a leading position in the Russian market with its IC 7000 model, but recently the Yokohama brand has taken over the baton of leadership among Asian manufacturers.

Nokian (Nokian) is the founder of winter tires. Traditionally, the company is a leader in the winter theme. It has its own testing ground, a very strong representative office and production in the Russian Federation.

At the moment, the production of Amtel passenger car tires has been discontinued, but a good analogue has appeared on the market: the Viatti brand from the Kama plant has already earned respect from car enthusiasts with its inexpensive price and excellent quality. Domestic wheels from Cordiant are also distinguished by their low price and acceptable quality. The Nordman and Hakapelita brands are highly valued among the people.

Service life of winter tires

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Winter tires are softer than, say, summer tires; they are more susceptible to wear (if used incorrectly) than summer tires. Therefore, a fair question arises: what is the service life of winter tires? After all, many people buy used winter tires, how can you buy normal ones and not make a mistake? In Russia, the studded version is common, so today we will talk about the service life of these particular wheels...

The question is not simple, not all tires are equally useful, I mean different manufacturers. Branded ones can last painlessly for 5-6 seasons, or even more, but cheap domestic ones or from China (China) may not last even two seasons.

New studded tire

whole thorns

Yes, and the spikes can be different, many famous companies have long been using new technologies in production (the shape can be square or diamond-shaped, for example) and also in fastening, in the photo there is an old round version, about other types you can read this article.

Normal tread depth

Therefore, the first thing we look at is the manufacturer; sometimes the manufacturer himself indicates the service life of his product. Usually it does not exceed 7 years, but this is with ideal use. There are no such conditions in Russia; we have a very cold and harsh climate, especially in the northern regions.

Date of manufacture

We rely on the production date. Remember, even tires that are ideal in appearance, if they have been in storage for several seasons for more than 4, their performance characteristics decrease. Such rubber will also not last long, so if possible, take products with a recent production date, otherwise ask for a significant discount. I have already written about how to determine the production date.

Wheel microcracks

Proper tire storage. If you store your tires correctly, they will last you longer (more details in this article). If the wheels are not stored correctly, microcracks will appear on the tread, the rubber will simply lose its properties and quickly deteriorate at the next stage of operation.

Wear - bad thorn

broken thorn

ground down

Mileage (wear) of the wheel. The service life is of course good, but there is also an important factor such as mileage. It happens that a car is used mercilessly in winter, the mileage may be more than 50,000 kilometers during the winter alone, it is clear that the tires wear out very much. And it happens that some grandfather-dacha resident goes out two or three times throughout the winter, so the mileage will be up to 500 kilometers. There will be no wear and tear at all.

Visual viewing. Of course, the timing of replacing a winter wheel can be determined purely visually. If your tread has worn off by more than 30%, and more than 60% of the studs have been lost, then this wheel definitely needs to be changed. It has already lost its performance characteristics. And it's not safe to drive.

In general, from my own experience, I will say that when using a car every day, I change winter wheels once every 4 seasons. That is, my personal service life of winter tires is about 4 years. True, I buy branded wheels, this year I decided to try a domestic manufacturer, KAMA EURO 519 (and you know, I was pleasantly surprised, they are in no way inferior to the famous - expensive brands). A year has passed, the flight is still normal, I think if the wheels last three years, then their price will be very good.

I will say this, if you have a lot of mileage over the winter, then think about replacing winter tires after three years, if not a lot, then after five years. If you buy used winter tires, look at the condition and date of manufacture - remember, if your sizes are not so large, then it is better to buy new ones. But if the dimensions are more than 20 inches, then you can look at used ones, because the cost for them can be very impressive. I remember a friend bought four new winter tires for his jeep for as much as 70,000 rubles!

And with this I want to finish the article, read our automotive website, if you liked the article, tell us about us on social networks or on forums, this will be the best support for the project.

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Comments

• 05.05.2019

  Sergey

  Nokian haka 5suv, R18/55/225, 13th century. One tire is missing one stud, the studs are worn, the stud seats are slightly broken, I haven’t noticed any wear on the rubber, the tire balance is normal, I’m thinking of riding it for another season. The total tire mileage is about 55 thousand km.

• 12.11.2018

  Alexei

  Oleg, are you immortal?

• 14.10.2018

  Oleg

  Read also:  “Motorist-constructor” or how to assemble an engine correctly? part 2

  I've been riding Nokian Hapelita 4 for 14 seasons. Made in Finland, not Russia. I drive carefully, I don’t drive like some. . I think it will serve me for more than one year.

• 26.07.2016

  FaceSw

  The service life of winter tires is a period of time during which the use of winter tires is possible and acceptable, since they are guaranteed to be safe, at least if the tires are used for their intended purpose and all manufacturer recommendations are followed.

• 09.11.2015

  Nikolai

  I have skated four thousand a season on a studded KAME for six seasons now. The wheels are in good condition, about 20 percent stud loss.

Determining the year of manufacture

Before purchasing, you need to determine what year the tire is made. Old rubber loses its elasticity and may crack during driving.

The production date is written on the side of the wheel in a small oval and consists of four digits: the first two are the week of production, the second are the year. You need to add 10 years to the specified year and understand whether the product is suitable or not.

Tips for storing tires

• the room must be dry;
• temperature not higher than 25 degrees Celsius;

Storage position

• when assembled with disks - horizontally.
• when disassembled - vertically.

How not to miss the moment of replacement

The seasonal service life of tires is limited by a temperature of +6: for summer - this is the lower limit, for winter - the upper limit.

The total period depends on many factors:

• car mileage,
• type of road surface,
• driving style,
• vehicle load,
• tire pressure,
• storage conditions,
• production quality, etc.

To measure how far a tire has traveled, you need to note the number of kilometers on the odometer when you install the wheels.

How to extend the shelf life of a tire

• Keep in a dry place before use.
• Wash and dry before storing.
• For particularly scrupulous car enthusiasts, lubricate with silicone. The lubricant protects the rubber from the appearance of microcracks on the sidewall.

After purchasing new tires, buyers place them in bags so as not to stain the interior. You should know that storing in bags is extremely harmful: the rubber ripples and cracks form.

On cars predominantly produced in Bavaria, you can increasingly see the use of runflat technology: tires reinforced with an additional cord, which allow you to get to the nearest tire shop in an unforeseen situation. For others, it is advisable to have a spare tire with you. It would be a good idea to have a kit for repairing punctures on the road.

This set includes two tools: a drill and a loop. Before starting the repair, you need to go through the hole with a hand drill, widening it, then insert the tourniquet into the loop and coat the previously degreased hole with glue. The next stage of repair is the most critical: with a sharp movement we push the tourniquet, secured in the loop, into the hole and pull it back out. Then you need to trim off the remains, wait until the glue dries, and inflate the wheel. All! You can go!

Video

Tires play an important role in the handling and safety of a car, but with age they lose their quality and must be replaced with new ones. Therefore, every driver must be able to determine the age of tires and replace them in a timely manner. Read about why it is necessary to change old tires, how to determine their age and replacement time.

Tire Life Standards

Tires are one of the few car components that are not only subject to wear and tear during use, but are also subject to natural aging. Therefore, tires are replaced not only due to their critical wear or damage, but also when their service life exceeds the permissible ones. Tires that are too old lose their quality, elasticity and strength, and therefore become too dangerous for the car.

Today in Russia there is a contradictory situation with the service life of tires. On the one hand, the law in our country establishes the so-called warranty service life (service life) of automobile tires, equal to 5 years from the date of their production. During this period, the tire must provide the declared performance characteristics, while the manufacturer bears responsibility for its product throughout its entire service life. The period of 5 years is established by two standards - GOST 4754-97 and 5513-97.

On the other hand, in Western countries there are no such laws, and car tire manufacturers claim that the service life of their products reaches 10 years. At the same time, there are no legislative acts in the world or in Russia that would oblige drivers and owners of vehicles to compulsorily replace tires upon expiration of the warranty period. Although Russian traffic regulations have a standard on the residual tread height, and, as practice shows, tires usually wear out faster than their service life expires.

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There is also such a concept as the shelf life of car tires, but Russian legislation does not set boundaries for this period. Therefore, manufacturers and sellers usually rely on the warranty period, and say that a tire, under the right conditions, can last 5 years, and after that it can be used like new. However, in a number of countries in Europe and Asia, the maximum shelf life is 3 years, and after this period the tire can no longer be considered new.

So, how long can you use tires installed on a car? Five, ten years or more? After all, all the figures indicated are recommended, but no one obliges the driver to replace tires, even after fifteen years, the main thing is that they are not worn out. However, the manufacturers themselves recommend replacing tires after 10 years of age, and in most cases tires become unusable after 6-8 years of use.

What are the specified service and storage periods for car tires? It's all about the rubber itself from which tires are made - this material, despite all its advantages, is subject to natural aging, which leads to a loss of basic qualities. As a result of aging, rubber may lose elasticity and strength, microscopic damage appears in it, which over time turns into noticeable cracks, etc.

Tire aging is primarily a chemical process. Under the influence of light, temperature changes, gases, oils and other substances contained in the air, the elastomer molecules that make up the rubber are destroyed, and the bonds between these molecules are also destroyed - all this leads to a loss of elasticity and strength of the rubber. As a result of rubber aging, tires are less resistant to wear, they literally crumble and can no longer provide the required performance characteristics.

It is because of the aging process of rubber that manufacturers and the domestic GOST establish a warranty period for tires. The domestic standard sets a period after which the aging of rubber still does not have a negative effect, and tire manufacturers set a real service life at which aging is already noticeable. Therefore, you should be very careful with tires that are over 6-8 years old, and tires that have celebrated their 10th anniversary must be changed without fail.

To replace a tire, you need to determine its age - this is quite easy to do.

How to increase the service life of winter tires?

In order to increase the service life of winter tires, you need to know several mandatory rules for using tires in winter.

First of all, you need to pay attention to the fact that in modern cars, the front and rear wheels require a certain tire pressure. In this case, the pressure in some wheels may differ from the pressure in others. That is why you need to look at the exact indicators in the service book for the car or find out this information on the sticker located on the driver's door.

The pressure is checked at least once every two weeks using a special pressure gauge. And if it does not meet the required parameters, then it is necessary to inflate the tires with a car compressor. If over- or under-inflated, even new tires can wear out completely in just a few weeks.

Another point worth paying attention to is wheel alignment. In winter, getting onto a bump or hole is especially easy and quick. In this case, be sure to pay attention to how the tread is located.

This can be done in a pit while washing a car. If you can see that you are chewing rubber on one side, you need to urgently go to a car service center. It is better to check every week.

Wheel imbalance can also cause rapid wear. This may be indicated by the steering wheel wobbling.

An imbalance in winter can occur due to the fact that warm wheels quickly become covered with ice after driving on a parked roadside in the snow. Accordingly, after some time you can find unpleasant bald spots on the tires. That is why they will have to be changed.

In addition, while driving, you need to ensure that sections of the road are as clean as possible. Winter tires are quite soft, so their side parts are especially vulnerable.

Driving calmly and carefully will prevent cuts, lacerations, etc.

Ways to check tire age

On car tires, like on any other product, the production date must be indicated - it is from this date that one can judge the age of the tires purchased or installed on the car. Today, marking the production date of tires is carried out according to the standard approved in 2000 by the US Department of Transportation.

Any tire has an oval molding, in front of which there is the abbreviation DOT and a alphanumeric index. Numbers and letters are also pressed into the oval - these are the ones that indicate the production date of the tire. More precisely, the date is encrypted in the last four digits, which mean the following:

• The first two digits are the week of the year;
• The last two digits are the year.

So, if the last four digits in the oval pressing are 4908, then the tire was produced in the 48th week of 2008. By Russian standards, such a tire has already exhausted its service life, and by world standards it is already worth replacing.

However, you can also find other production time markings on tires. In particular, an oval molding may contain not four, but three digits, and there is also a small triangle - this means that this tire was produced between 1990 and 2000. It is clear that now such tires can no longer be used, even if they were in storage or installed on a car that had been sitting in a garage for many years.

Thus, one glance is enough to determine the age of a tire. However, not all car owners know this, which is taken advantage of by dishonest sellers who pass off old tires as new ones. Therefore, when buying tires, you need to be careful and be sure to check the production date.

Determining when to replace tires

When is it time to change tires? There are several cases when you definitely need to buy new tires:

• Age 10 years or more - even if this tire looks good outwardly, there are no visible damages and there is little wear, it should be removed and sent for recycling;
• The tire is 6-8 years old, and its wear is approaching critical;
• Critical or uneven wear, large punctures and ruptures, regardless of the age of the tire.

As practice shows, tires, especially in Russia with its road conditions, rarely “survive” beyond ten years of age. Therefore, tires are most often replaced due to wear or damage. However, in our country, not entirely new tires often go on sale, so every driver should be able to determine their age - only in this case can you protect yourself and your car.

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Feeling the breath of winter, all motorists are thinking about replacing seasonal tires. And many of us, when buying winter tires, are faced with a difficult choice - “studded” or “Velcro”? Each type of tire has its own advantages and disadvantages, and choosing one over the other can be very difficult. In this article we will try to make this difficult choice.

In case of irreparable damage to one of the tires and the total mileage of the set is relatively high, you should also think about replacing it. Well, or about buying at least a pair of new tires, which should be installed on the front axle for any type of drive. We put two tires back - the most decent ones left.

What if I don't travel much?

Many motorists drive only a few thousand kilometers a year. This does not mean that the tires will last you for several decades. According to Russian requirements (GOST 4754–97), the service life of passenger car tires is 5 years from the date of manufacture. For example, the Continental company indicates in its recommendations that all car tires (including the spare tire) older than 10 years old should be replaced with new ones. Therefore, with low mileage, you can focus on ten years. The date of manufacture of the tire is indicated on the sidewall. Usually it is an oval with four numbers. The first two are the serial number of the week in the year, the last two indicate the year.

Storage time

When considering the question of whether there is a shelf life for tires for a car, it is worth understanding that any product is subject to a certain duration of operation. Over time, tires and tires age, causing them to become unusable.

The following varieties are distinguished:

• tires for winter;
• tires for driving in summer;
• tires for SUVs and large trucks.

The shelf life of tires depends on the following factors:

• compliance with proper storage conditions in a warehouse or garage;
• designation of the date of manufacture;
• specified tire operating time;
• the quality of the roads on which the car travels;
• speed range used while riding;
• excessive weight of the car, which contributes to rapid wear of the wheels;
• the temperature of the road asphalt, since when it increases, the quality of the rubber noticeably decreases;
• increased machine operation;
• lack of timely replacement;
• the presence of proper pressure in the tires.

The shelf life of tires according to GOST is 5–6 years from the date of production. Expiration of the expiration date may not affect the quality of the product. At the same time, manufacturers prefer to send such goods for processing or sell them at a discount.

In most cases, after the storage time has expired, the service life of the rubber can be extended provided that the proper rules for use are followed:

• compliance with proper safety regulations;
• use of special rooms with minimal sunlight;
• humidity level no more than 80%;
• the optimal temperature is in the range from 10 to 25 degrees.

Important! To prevent cracks and other signs, car tires should not be stored in a common pile for a long time. In this case, it is recommended to move the products in a timely manner.

Actual shelf life

The shelf life of car tires and tires in winter is determined by the quality of the studs used. If they are completely erased, then the rubber is unsuitable for further use.

Compared to the summer version, the material is slightly thinner, which affects the overall condition of the tires.

Manufacturers offer tires that can be used at any time. The rubber is of improved quality, which is a budget option for drivers. At the same time, the products cannot fully comply with the maximum service life.

The service life of a tire in years for SUVs is 5 years. The rubber is quite durable and can be used to drive into hard-to-reach places. Trucks put a lot of load on the wheels, so the duration of use is 1–2 years.

Important! In accordance with current legislation, the maximum service life of tires is on average 2–3 years. After the period of use has expired, it is not recommended to operate the tires, as safety regulations are violated.

How to extend the life of tires?

We can advise you to use your tires carefully and, most importantly, to store them properly in the off-season. First of all, during storage, it is important to prevent the tires from being exposed to direct sunlight, which greatly ages the rubber. Tires without rims should be placed vertically and stacked on rims.

And before you install tires on your car at the beginning of the season, assess their condition. There should be no cracks in the tread or sidewalls. The tire should not be dry, it should remain rubber and not look like caked plastic.

How to extend the life of car tires

To do this, it is necessary to carry out regular maintenance of the car and the wheels themselves. If suspicious abrasion is detected, you should contact a car service center. The car's suspension may be faulty. You should also make it a rule to check your tire pressure at least 2 times a month. After the next 15 thousand km, contact a wheel balancing service. When certain wear occurs, the wheels should be swapped.

If the tread has an asymmetrical directional pattern and regulates installation on a certain side, this condition must be taken into account.

Careful operation of the car on roads with poor surfaces can reduce the risk of hitting sharp potholes. You should also avoid hitting curbs. All these factors cause hernias and cuts.

Considering the fragility of car tires, increased attention should be paid to their safety. Easy maintenance can extend the service life of rubber for several seasons. And this, in turn, will save your personal budget.

Do winter tires last as long?

The actual service life of winter tires rarely exceeds 30,000 km. “Bald” winter tires without studs can be rolled in the summer, but their grip on the heated road surface will be very poor. This must be taken into account, especially when braking.

So: tires that have not yet had time to wear out on the tread (that is, up to 1.6 mm of tread depth for summer tires, 4 mm for winter tires) are replaced either ten years after the date of manufacture, or when the rubber layer of the tire cracks, or when damaged.

• Find out what tire wear is considered critical here.

Tire life

The period during which the manufacturer guarantees the use of tires in accordance with the declared characteristics is the service life of the tires. Most tire manufacturers confidently claim that their products will last up to 10 years. However, in practice, this theory is not always correct, since owners change tires after 5-6 years. And sometimes, the period is even shorter, due to various factors.

When trying to estimate the shelf life of tires, you should take into account the mileage. Some people don’t travel 10 km a day, while others manage to clock up 100 km daily. In addition, the type of transport is taken into account: cars - 45 thousand km, small trucks 60 thousand km, large-capacity trucks 70 thousand km.

There are bridges in the tread grooves. If the tread surface has worn down to these jumpers, then the tire has exhausted its service life. It is possible to determine the level of wear by eye or using a measuring device - a depth gauge. The minimum level on summer tires is 1.6 mm, and on winter tires 4 mm. Moreover, measurements should be carried out on the most worn area. With the specified parameters, the wheels should be replaced.

Famous manufacturers put the numbers on the tread: 8,6,4. As the numbers wear down, you can judge the degree of wear.