Towing Service in Duluth | Did You Know Your Tires Expire?

Towing Service in Duluth | Our towing service in Duluth know that tires expire, but do you? Of course, we all know that tires wear down over time, leading to balding, leaks, and eventual flats or even blowouts, but tires can expire before they are ever installed onto your vehicle. Many drivers don’t realize that when they buy new tires from a tire shop, those tires can already be quite old and might not have the life that you expect. You can purchase tires you believe will hold up all winter long only to find yourself stranded with a blowout and having to call a towing service in Duluth. Here’s what you need to know about tire expiration dates:

Dot Date Codes: Tires deteriorate over time even when they aren’t in use, and you should always check the DOT date codes on your tire before you buy. The DOT date code will indicate how long that tire has been sitting in a warehouse before it gets installed on your car. You need to make sure that all of the tires have the same DOT date code when you buy a whole set brand new or else, you’ll find some tires outlasting the others. DOT codes can be found on the side of the tire and are clearly labeled “DOT.” You’ll also find your tire size here. The last four digits represent the week and year the tire was made. A tire with the last four digits 0617 was made in the 6th week of 2017. 

New Tire Recommendations: The US Department of Transportation and our towing service in Duluth, recommends changing all four tires every five to six years but the maximum lifespan of your tires is ten years. Use the DOT codes to figure out how long your tires have left and refuse to purchase any new tires offered that was created more than two years ago. 

If you let your tires expire and it causes a blowout, call Virgil’s Auto for your towing service in Duluth at 507-216-9012.