On the news this evening was an update about the previous newscast concerning the usage of aged tires.

 It said, I'm paraphrasing, that older tires are more likely to encounter higher stresses than newer tires and that they are "subject to catastrophic failures".

Gard

so how old is too old?  Mine are from 2000 but have a lot of tread left on them.  It's got me wondering as a back rear tire is flat from a slow leak and I'm debating whether i should replace them all or just that one.

The original TV article stated that anything over six years was suspect.

Here's a link 

http://www.horsetrailerworld.com/forum/thread-view.asp?threadid=9444&posts=13

Gard

What I WON'T tell you is the date that I found was on one set of the old tires that came off. 

 Why not, whats the big deal?

Terri.... She fessed up on June the ninth!!.... 13 years old.

WELL, THERE IS THE PROBLEM...ATTEMPTING TO TAKE MINORS ACROSS STATE LINES...

 This is a video of the original  broadcast. Sometimes it plays after the commercial, sometimes it doesn't.

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897

Subject : RE: TIRE WARNINGS Posted : 2008-05-19 9:44 AM Post #84207 - In reply to #84183

Since apparently 1991, a code is stamped into the sidewall of every tire sold in the states. It is a four digit code, placed on the inside of the tire, the sidewall away from the specification and identification ratings. This means that to inspect them, you have to crawl under your vehicle for a look.

The code started off with three digits, and now it is four. The first two digits identify the week of the year in which it was made. The next one through 1999 will be the year in which it was made. IE: 251 means that it was built in the twenty fifth week of 1991. Tires built after 1999 have four digits. A tire marked 3706 would be built in the thirty seventh week of 2006.

BOL  Gard

Originally written by gard on 2008-06-29 1:34 PM

Subject : RE: TIRE WARNINGS Posted : 2008-05-19 9:44 AM Post #84207 - In reply to #84183

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Originally written by loveduffy on 2008-05-18 11:20 PM

gard-- I saw that show  WOW some people dead because of the tire blowing out at normal speed 55- 65 mph I forgot how to tell the age of the tire?? 

Since apparently 1991, a code is stamped into the sidewall of every tire sold in the states. It is a four digit code, placed on the inside of the tire, the sidewall away from the specification and identification ratings. This means that to inspect them, you have to crawl under your vehicle for a look.

The code started off with three digits, and now it is four. The first two digits identify the week of the year in which it was made. The next one through 1999 will be the year in which it was made. IE: 251 means that it was built in the twenty fifth week of 1991. Tires built after 1999 have four digits. A tire marked 3706 would be built in the thirty seventh week of 2006.

BOL  Gard

The code is not always on the inside.  On all 3 of my vehicles and 2 of my trailers the code is on the outside.  I would at least look on the outside before crawling under anything.

Last year I bought two sets of truck tires, two different brands, one for my trailer, one for my truck. Both have the markings on the inside. I also bought two tires for my wife's car which are a low profile, high performance type of tire. Just checking them, I found the date on the outside of those tires.

Chad is right, check the outside first. If more tires had the markings on the outside, it would remove any excuses for not checking their manufacturing dates.

Perhaps this video report will make more people aware of what they own or are about to purchase. I would think the manufacturers would want the public to know about their tires' age. It would increase sales with a higher turn over. It would also lessen their liability with newer and safer tires being used. At least now everyone can know what they are purchasing and using.

Gard