Winter warning to check tire age before driving in snow – crucial sign you need a new set even if they still have tread

Before driving in snow, drivers are advised to check a vital tire age indicator that indicates whether they need new tires, even if they still have tread.

Experts warn that drivers may not even be aware that they are putting themselves at risk due to deteriorating tires.

As temperatures rise, snow is expected to cover vast areas of the country in the upcoming week.

The National Weather Service’s forecasters are anticipating frigid temperatures along the Canadian border, with lows of -6F.

Although it could contribute to the Christmas season’s cheerful appearance, it causes several problems for drivers.

This season is characterized by reduced visibility, snow, and ice on American roads.

The majority of people in the country’s colder regions are accustomed to driving in snow and are responsible for changing to winter tires.

However, a set of snow tires that you may have lying around in your garage may not be as safe as you may believe, according to automotive experts.

According to Layne Vandersee of Mt. Vernon Road Tire in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, tires that have been in use for a long time may be nearing the end of their useful lives.

In general, you should replace your tires every five to six years, he told KCRG.

“Rubber simply ages.

“The rubber becomes brittle with age.

“So even if you have some tread-ware left of the tires, the rubber will fall apart on you.”

This is exacerbated in colder climates since the rubber becomes even more rigid due to the freezing temperatures.

A catastrophic loss of traction could easily occur if your tires, which are nearing the end of their useful lives, are struck by a cold blast.

Thankfully, you can quickly determine how old your tires are simply by looking at them.

Every tire sold in the United States bears a code stamp from the Department of Transportation.

The first indication that it has complied with the department’s safety requirements will be the letters DOT.

The week and year of manufacture are then displayed by the code’s final four digits.

The tire was manufactured in the seventeenth week of 2020, for instance, if it says 1720.

You should change the tire after roughly five years, unless it has never been used before. Even then, you should exercise caution when using it for longer than that.

There is a simple method to determine the tread depth if your tires are still in good condition.

To see if you can still see President Lincoln, just insert a cent into one of the tread slots.

Layne continued: “This tire needs to be replaced since I can practically see Abe’s head and entire body on it.

“Compared to a new tire, I can just see the very top of Abe s head there, that s what we want to aim for.”

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