It’s important you understand how old your tyres are because even if they initially look like they’re in good shape, after a certain length of time they will need to be replaced regardless, to ensure proper, safe handling for your classic car.
In this quickfire tyre tips video, Ben demonstrates how to find and read the date of manufacture mark on your tyres.
How to Tell the Age of a Tyre
Since the year 2000, there’s been a four-digit date code on tyres. The series of numbers here is really simple to decode. When looking for the age, you’ll usually see the code printed in a lozenge shape on the side of the tyres.
In this video, you can see the example 0819.
These numbers refer to when the tyre was built – so, in this instance, the tyre was built in the eighth week of 2019.
When to Replace Tyres
While tyres made with modern construction methods are pretty good at standing the test of time, they are not invincible and will still start to deteriorate after the first use. Vintage Tyres recommends that you replace your tyres every 10 years.
Even if the tread depth still looks okay, after 10 years, the tyre will have vulcanised/hardened to such a point that it would be quite dangerous to drive on, particularly in damp conditions.
We stock a range of vintage tyres to suit your classic vehicle, with various sizes and iconic designs to keep your car or bike looking its best when the tyres reach that 10-year mark.
Understanding Tyres Codes
Aside from the date, there are a couple of other figures embossed on the side of a tyre. To find out more about deciphering these (again, it’s pretty simple), see our guide on how to read markings on classic car tyres.
If you have any queries about replacing your tyres or need some guidance on choosing the right tyres for your vintage vehicle, please get in touch with the Vintage Tyres team.