The hazards of tire aging are not a secret in the tire and automotive industries, but most American consumers are not aware of the dangers posed by these hazards. The tires on your car, SUV, van or truck are made of several components, some of which are rubber. It's been known since the 1930s — when synthetic rubber was first made — that this rubber has a limited life. Rubber deteriorates with age, and it's especially vulnerable to oxidative degradation. The tire industry has long known this.
Deterioration of Aging Tires
The hazards of tire aging are multiple: the components of tires dry out, the rubber deteriorates, and the adhesion between the tire parts breaks down. The tire's components that were at one time fused together come apart — usually while the vehicle is in motion, and often while at freeway speeds.
Tire Failure When You're Moving at High Speed
When a tire on a moving vehicle comes apart, it can be impossible to maintain control of the vehicle. Aging tire failures may cause serious, even fatal accidents such as:
Tires May Not Look Old
Tires that are more than six years old are now considered to be potentially hazardous. Some car manufacturers (Toyota, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, and BMW) have added warnings about the age of tires to their owner's manuals; the warning is that tires more than six years old have an increased risk of failing. These warnings have been in place since the early 1990s, but American consumers have not been adequately warned about the hazards of aging tires.
Even if a tire looks acceptable, with treads that are not worn — even a tire that has never been used — it may be too old to be safely used on a vehicle. Unfortunately, many tire dealers and distributors sell tires (as new or used) that have been sitting in a warehouse for years, deteriorating.
Call On the Newsome Law Firm for Legal Counsel
If you've been in an accident that may have been caused by aging tires, contact our law offices to learn about your legal options.