Things You'll Need:
- Penny
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Step 1
Check the tread. The tread will tell you a lot about the tire’s age. While you can use a special gauge to check the tread, a really simple technique can be done by anyone that has a penny handy. Take the penny and insert it into a groove in the tread upside down. If you can see Lincoln’s head, the tread is too worn.
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Step 2
Look for wear and tear. A tire’s tread may check out OK, but another way to determine a tire’s age is to look for trouble spots. Are the tires worn on the inside or outside? Are there any scrub marks that indicate the driver has hit a curb? Any type of damage can age the tire, even a small amount.
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Step 3
Feel for dry rot. Even if the tire looks brand new, push on it. This will help determine if the tire has begun to dry rot. If dry rot has set in, the rubber can shred and cause your car to go out of control.
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Step 4
Ask questions. Before purchasing a used car, talk to the driver about how long the tires have been on the car. Asking how often they drove the car will also help you determine the age of the tires.
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Step 5
Decode the Tire Identification Number. The only true way to determine a tire’s age is to decode the Tire Identification Number. This number is a combination of letters and numbers that give information on where the tire was made as well as when it was made. If the tire was made prior to 2000, the last three digits of the number are the date of manufacturing. For example, if the last three digits read 469, the tire was made in the 46th week of 1999. Since 2000, manufacturers have used four numbers. If the last four numbers were to read 3407, you would know that the tire was made in the 34th week of 2007.
