How long to store car tires: expiration dates for different types and brands

Tire shelf life

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation clearly regulates the shelf life of car tires without use - 5 years in the warehouse of the manufacturer or supplier. In this case, the full shelf life of a car tire is 10 years.

The technical condition of rubber is influenced by many factors, ranging from storage conditions, compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, and ending with the brand and type of product. For example, the service life of a summer tire is longer than that of a winter tire, while that of a studded tire is shorter than that of a similar product without studding from the same manufacturer.

Factors affecting tire performance

The service life can be extended by moderate use:

• the lower the speed, the longer the tire will last;
• the same can be said about temperature;
• At least once a year it is necessary to check the wheel alignment angles;
• pressure should be strictly maintained according to the instructions and monitored weekly;
• It is worth changing wheels only if the driver is sure why this is necessary, and not just because the instructions say so;
• the tire must be balanced, even if its vibration is unnoticeable;
• Sharp braking and acceleration affect the life of a wheel even worse than speed and temperature, just like extreme cornering.

You should not leave your car in the open sun, this is harmful not only to the body, but also to the tires.

Shelf life of tires according to GOST

According to Russian legislation, the shelf life of a car tire according to GOST 5513-97 and GOST 4754-97 and 52900-2007 is 5 years.

The service life begins from the date of manufacture.

You can find out when a tire was produced by its marking (DOT code). On tires produced after 2000, the date of manufacture is indicated using 4 digits - the first 2 are the week number, and the second are the year of manufacture. For example, DOT code 1710 means that the tire was produced in May 2010. On car tires from earlier years of production, the marking contained 3 digits - 2nd is the week number, and the 3rd is the year.

The shelf life of a car tire is influenced by the following factors:

• mileage;
• terms of Use;
• pressure;
• constant overloads;
• getting into an accident;
• mechanical damage;
• improper storage;
• the disc does not match the car tires;
• At what speeds are the tires used?

It is important to consider that fast driving (over 120 km/h) can reduce the shelf life of new car tires by 50%. Therefore, when choosing tires, you need to pay attention to one more marking element indicating the maximum speed:

You should also definitely take into account the type of car tires, since the service life of summer, winter, all-season, truck and unused tires can vary significantly.

Summer

Summer tires differ from winter tires in their composition and performance properties, and often their markings contain the symbols ZR or H, allowing their use at high speeds. And this reduces the service life of such tires. Therefore, it is not recommended to use it for more than 6 years.

The same applies to tires installed on car trailers and trucks. Most well-known manufacturers indicate the shelf life of summer car tires within 5-10 years.

Winter

This type of rubber is made of more elastic and soft rubber for better grip on the road surface and also to improve braking. That's why it wears out a little faster. Most manufacturers indicate a service life of no more than 7 years for winter tires.

Many experts agree that in the Russian climate, it is optimal to use such tires for 3-4 years.

All-season

The main difference between these tires is the presence of special slots (lamellas) in the tread, as well as more powerful lugs. In recent years, more and more motorists are refusing to use such tires, as they are not able to provide good handling in the warm season and on snowy roads.

The service life of such rubber usually does not exceed 4-5 years, and is most often installed on domestically produced cars (VAZ, Moskvich, GAZ).

The most popular tires of this type for SUVs:

• Cooper Discoverer H/T;
• "Yokohama G15";
• "BF Goodrich."

For passenger cars:

• "Goodyear 4Seasons";
• "KAMA Flame";
• "KAMA 217".

Freight

Tires for trucks have a reliable and durable base made of polymer and steel threads (cords). The loads on such tires are much higher, which is why they wear out faster than on passenger cars. The recommended period of their use is no more than 5 years.

Many truck owners, due to the high cost of new tires, install old ones with a welded tread. This can cause an accident, since during prolonged use they can rupture or burst.

Unexploited

Tires that are not used for 5-10 years should be disposed of or recycled for the manufacture of other coarse rubber products. For example, treadmills, anti-slip paving slabs, and so on.

Is it possible to increase the service life

Durability largely determines the original quality. Cheap Chinese wheels cannot withstand heavy use. Therefore, experienced owners choose imported models from well-known brands. Careful driving and driving on smooth roads is the second key to increasing the service life of tires.

Care and maintenance rules:

• timely replacement with summer tires. Driving on asphalt speeds up the wear of studs;
• after replacement, a general wash is carried out; it is important to clean the rubber protectors; we recommend applying special protective lubricants. These are called preservative compounds;
• During storage, pack each wheel in an individual bag, but do not tie it. Or use protective covers;
• avoid exposure to sunlight;
• keep on a horizontal, flat surface. Do not make bulky stacks that deform the tires;
• Do not place on wet shelves, snow or frozen surfaces.

Where can you store:

• dry garage with any temperature;
• pantry;
• dark attic.

Where you can't:

• open balcony or loggia;
• boiler rooms, near heating devices;
• damp rooms.

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Expiration date of tires by brand

Many well-known car tire manufacturers do not agree that the service life of their products is limited to 5 years. The French became the organizer of a major event, during which tests were carried out in several countries - Germany, South Korea, Saudi Arabia.

Tires that had been stored for 3 years and new products were checked. The main characteristics were compared - strength when driving at high speeds, rolling resistance, wear and grip indicators, as well as some others.

As a result of the research, no fundamental differences were found between new tires and those that had been stored for 3 years. Therefore, the manufacturer emphasizes that the service life is more important, and not the release date of automobile tires.

Experts came to the same opinion, who believe that if storage conditions are met, then the shelf life of car tires is at least 10 years.

The warranty shelf life, depending on the manufacturer, is:

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!

How to tell when your tires have reached the end of their service life

This can be done through periodic visual inspection. In this case, the main attention is paid to the following factors:

1. Tread wear level. Determined by measurements with a caliper or ruler, as well as by a wear indicator.
2. Presence of mechanical damage - cuts, microcracks on the side surfaces.
3. The appearance of swellings, indicating a violation of the integrity of the cord layer threads.
4. Uneven wear of the tire in different places - in the central part and outer side. For example, if there is more wear in the center, it means the car is running on overinflated wheels.

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.

Sources

• https://www.DriveNN.ru/journal/novosti/kakoy-dopustimyy-srok-hraneniya-shin-v-magazine-do-momenta-prodazhi-id27780
• https://etlib.ru/blog/604-srok-ekspluatatsii-avtomobilnyh-shin
• https://strana-ravnix-vozmognostey.ru/o-srokah/srok-godnosti-avtomobilnoj-reziny.html
• https://zen.yandex.ru/media/poshosse/srok-godnosti-dlia-avtoshin-tak-li-on-vajen-na-samom-dele-5cb2fd2caa531e00b3c70261
• https://8shin.ru/articles/srok_godnosti_shin_razvenchivaem_mify/
• https://SrokiGodnosti.ru/avto/shini
• https://www.best-tyres.ru/faq/shelf-life_tyres
• https://potrebiteli.guru/tovary/srok-godnosti/avtoshin.html
• https://tires1.ru/srok-godnosti-shin/

When tires should not be used

Tread wear is considered critical when its residual height is 1.6 mm.

At the same time, experts advise replacing when the residual height is no less than 2-2.5 mm (for summer tires) and 4-4.5 mm (for winter tires). Also, the use of tires with obvious signs of chemical and mechanical damage, including the presence of a “hernia” (swelling), is not allowed. Tires that have expired should not be installed on your vehicle.

Refusal to return an item

There are also situations when you need to pick up an item ahead of schedule. However, the custodian not only does not return the item, the same tires, but also demands payment of the debt. Debt refers to storage fees for a certain period.

The refusal to return an item must be justified, i.e. the custodian is obliged to motivate him. If return is refused with reference to debt, it can be assumed that the custodian does not have the item. The Supreme Court pointed this out in one of its rulings. Thus, the debt of the bailor is not a reason for not returning the thing upon demand.

This, in turn, entails the following consequences. The storage agreement is terminated due to the custodian, and early. And here lies the most interesting part:

• based on Part 3 of Art. 896 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation (second paragraph), if the storage agreement is terminated early due to circumstances for which the custodian is responsible, he has no right to demand payment for storage. And he is even obliged to return everything that he received under the contract earlier!

You can also “sew” a demand for a refund of the cost of the item here. Prove only its value.

How not to miss the moment of changing tires

Experts draw attention to the need for regular monitoring of the condition of tires and timely replacement, as well as carrying out necessary procedures for their maintenance - monitoring pressure, checking wheel alignment angles, balancing, measuring the degree of tread wear. Traffic safety, as well as the service life of tires, directly depends on this.

If a problem is detected and corrected in a timely manner, it will help to avoid additional costs in the future.

Save the article, share your knowledge of how to choose suitable car tires and your experience of long-term use. I would also like to know which manufacturer’s products are more popular in Russia and why?

But, as they say, there is a nuance

Seasonal tire storage can be a fun way to recycle old tires. True, there are some nuances.

Resolution of the situation described above is possible through the court. Well, the court will require proof that the custodian did not return the item without any motive. Such evidence may be a document from the custodian containing an indication of the refusal to return the item. You can also provide testimony from witnesses.

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• Selling a car second hand. Security rules for the seller
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• Compensation for damage to a car that is not registered