08/09/2026
Tread depth is only part of tire safety. Rubber compounds age with time, heat cycles, and environmental exposure, even if a vehicle is rarely driven.
To check age, look for the DOT date code on the sidewall and find the last four digits. That number shows the week and year the tire was made.
If a tire is older, it can be more prone to cracking and higher blowout risk, especially on spare tires and low mileage vehicles. When in doubt, compare options and replace based on age, not tread alone.
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