Tips on choosing tyre for your ride

This tip can keep you from being ripped off forhundreds of dollars. It may even save your life. What I am about to tell you, I learned this week. Ishould have known for decades. So should you.

First, tires older than six years are unsafe. Theyhave a tendency to disintegrate. It doesn't matter thatthey have never been driven. The rubber disintegrates.

Second, there is a numerical code, required by Federallaw, that tells you when the tire was manufactured. Itappears at the end of a 12-digit code that begins with DOT.

The last 4 digits tell you the week and year. Forexample, 4207 means that it was produced in the 42nd weekof 2007. If it's a 3-digit code, the tire was produced inthe previous century. Replace it.

Until recently, manufacturers were allowed to placethe code on the inside of the tire, assuring sellers thatbuyers would not discover that the tire had been sitting ininventory for several years.

When the code is on the inside, it's very difficultfor the buyer to see it, even if he knows that it's thereand what it means.

Before you buy new tires, ask the salesman to show youthe exact tires to be installed -- not "looks just likethis (but 10 years older)." Check the code. Do not pay fortires older than six months. It's your money. Check your spare! Replace it if it's old.

Tips on choosing tyre for your ride

This tip can keep you from being ripped off forhundreds of dollars. It may even save your life. What I am about to tell you, I learned this week. Ishould have known for decades. So should you.

First, tires older than six years are unsafe. Theyhave a tendency to disintegrate. It doesn't matter thatthey have never been driven. The rubber disintegrates.

Second, there is a numerical code, required by Federallaw, that tells you when the tire was manufactured. Itappears at the end of a 12-digit code that begins with DOT.

The last 4 digits tell you the week and year. Forexample, 4207 means that it was produced in the 42nd weekof 2007. If it's a 3-digit code, the tire was produced inthe previous century. Replace it.

Until recently, manufacturers were allowed to placethe code on the inside of the tire, assuring sellers thatbuyers would not discover that the tire had been sitting ininventory for several years.

When the code is on the inside, it's very difficultfor the buyer to see it, even if he knows that it's thereand what it means.

Before you buy new tires, ask the salesman to show youthe exact tires to be installed -- not "looks just likethis (but 10 years older)." Check the code. Do not pay fortires older than six months. It's your money. Check your spare! Replace it if it's old.