People often ask if it’s OK to buy 2-year-old tires. Some tire shops are reluctant to sell tires that have been sitting in stock for a long time, but is it actually bad or dangerous for you?

Let’s look at answering the question, is it OK to buy 2 year old tires?

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Is It OK To Buy 2 Year Old Tires?

The short answer to that question is no. There are a number of reasons why you should not buy 2 year old tires. The first reason is that they may be dry-rotted and ready to blow out at any moment.

The second reason is the rubber can become brittle, which means it will not flex well under pressure or during braking. The third reason is that they may have lost their treads, making them less safe than new tires.

The best way to avoid buying 2 year old tires is to keep track of your tire’s age by writing it down on your vehicle’s maintenance log or keeping a calendar in your glove compartment where you can see it every time you get into the car.

If your car has been sitting for an extended period, you may want to check this before purchasing new tires because if the tires have been sitting for more than six months without being used, they could be older than two years old.

How Old Can A Tire Be And Still Be Safe?

The answer to that question depends on how you use your vehicle.

If you drive mostly short distances, such as around town or to work, and don’t drive much in the winter, you can get away with keeping your tires longer.

But if you drive long distances on highways or in other conditions where tires are likely to wear more quickly, it’s best to replace them after five years.

Checking tire age is easy: Just look at the DOT number on the sidewall of your tire. It’s a four-digit code that begins with “DOT.” The first two digits indicate the week the tire was made. The last two digits indicate the year.

Can I Use 3 Year Old Tires?

Yes, you can use 3 year old tires, but it’s not recommended. If you plan on using your old tires, it’s a good idea to check them for signs of wear or damage before putting them on your vehicle.

Tires have an expiration date that is determined by their manufacturing date and the month in which they were produced. For example, if a tire was manufactured in May 2013 and has been sitting in storage for three years, it won’t be safe to use on the road because its shelf life has expired.

The same goes for tires that have been sitting in storage because they aren’t being used as frequently as they would be if they were on a car or truck that was being driven regularly.

When tires are stored for long periods of time without being used, they can become brittle over time due to exposure to oxygen and UV rays from sunlight.

This causes them to crack and lose their structural integrity over time, which could cause them to blow out under normal driving conditions when put back onto a vehicle after being stored for extended periods.

How Long Are Tires Considered New?

Tires are considered new for up to six months after they are manufactured. The month and year of manufacture are printed on the tire sidewall.

For example: If your tires were manufactured in June 2009, they are considered new until January 2010. At that point, they would be considered used.

The date code is a 4-digit number on the sidewall of all passenger car tires. The first two digits represent the week of manufacture (01 = first week), and the last two digits represent the year (09 = 2009). For example, if you have tires with a date code of 0902, then those tires were manufactured during week 2 of 2009 (February 24 through March 1).

This information is important because as soon as your tires have less than 3/32″ tread depth remaining or show signs of weathering due to exposure to elements such as rain or sun exposure, it’s time to replace them.

How Do I Know If My Tires Are Still Good?

If your tires are worn down to the point where you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s likely time to buy new tires.

If you’re unsure how much tread is left on your tires, there are a few quick tests that can help determine if new tires are needed.

The penny test is one of the more popular methods to determine if your tires need replacement. The idea behind this test is that when a tire wears down to an unsafe level, you’ll see the top of Lincoln’s head (or at least part of his hair) between the treads.

Insert the penny upside down (with Lincoln’s head pointing into the tire) in between the tire treads. How’s Lincoln’s hair? Can you see the top of Lincoln’s head? This means your tire tread has worn down to an unsafe level, and it’s likely time to buy new tires.

The penny method isn’t an exact science, though — some people may be able to see Lincoln’s hair while others may not be able to see anything at all. The amount of wear depends on how well you maintain your vehicle and how often you drive it as well as how far out of alignment it is and how much weight it’s carrying.

Do Tires Go Bad In Storage?

Tires can go bad for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is improper storage. The biggest mistake people make when storing their tires is putting them in a garage where there’s no airflow.

This essentially seals the rubber off from oxygen and water vapor. Without these components, it can’t maintain its elasticity and flexibility over time. The result is that your tire will lose its shape and become brittle, which can lead to cracking or splitting.

If you want to keep your tires in good shape while they’re not being used, it’s important that you store them properly:

Make sure they’re covered by a tarp or plastic sheeting so that moisture doesn’t get inside the tire.
Leave at least two full turns of air in each tire (or three if safety permits). This will help prevent flat spots on the tread and keep them inflated during storage.
Keep them away from sources of heat like furnaces or radiators — this will also help prevent flat spots on the tread.