How To Check Tire Expiration Dates In Nigeria

Are you aware your car tires have an expiry date? Do you know how to check your tire expiry date? If you don’t, this article on carmart.ng provides ample guidance.

Tires are one of the most vital parts of a vehicle. Without the tires, your car won’t be able to move from one point to another. As vital as tires are, many Nigerians don’t know how to check the expiry date. Truth is, most accidents on Nigerian roads are caused as a result of expired tires which are liable to explode at any given moment. Some people even assume that because they buy new tires, it means the tires will last longer. This is often not true. Tires have an average life span of 4 years.

This time starts counting from the day of manufacture. Therefore, it’s possible the tire you intend to buy from your vendor is already expired or close to the expiry date. It’s necessary to check the expiry date before purchasing a new tire.

Why Checking Tire Expiry Date Is Important

Here are some reasons why every Nigerian driver must check their tire expiry date;

• Tires have a fixed shelf life depending on the specifications given by the manufacturers. They are made from rubber, carbon and other components which gradually degrade after the time of manufacture. This means, they begin to lose quality and suitability for road use after a while. 
• It is dangerous to drive a car you are not aware of the expiry date of the tires. It could suddenly explode on the road and result in fatal accidents. 
• Checking the expiry date of your car tires will contribute to saving lives and result in deaths and accidents due to tire explosion.
• Being conscious of your tire expiry date makes you know when it’s time to replace it and get a new one.

Steps To Take To Check Tire Expiry Date In Nigeria

The expiry date of tires is calculated from the date of manufacture, usually inscribed on the tire. Usually, the date is the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) code string. In Nigeria, the average lifespan of a tire is four years. Here is how to check the expiry date:

STEP ONE: On the tires, locate the long DOT code inscribed on the side of the tires.

STEP TWO: On the DOT string, the last three or four figures typify the date of manufacture of the tire. Tires produced before the year 2000 have a three-digit tire manufacture code; while a four-digit at the end of the DOT typifies that the tires were produced from year 2000 onwards.

STEP THREE:  If you see only three digits at the end of the DOT, the first two figures indicate the production week while the last digit indicates the production year. E.g 126 meaning the tire was produced in the 12th week of the year 1996. This tire will expire on the 12th week of the year 2000.

STEP FOUR: If you see only four digits at the end of the DOT, the two digits beginning the code indicates the week of production and the last two digits shows the year of production. For example, 1113 means the tire was made on the eleventh week of the year 2013. This tire will expire in the 11 weeks (around March) of the year 2017.

Tips To Maintain Your Car Tires

Sometimes, depending on the driving lifestyle of the car owner, cars can get damaged before the expiry date. This can incur unexpected expenses for the owner. Below are tips you can use to maintain the quality of your tires in Nigeria:

• Ensure your vehicle is properly inflated.
• When necessary, get a wheel alignment.
• Replace your tire with the right spec and requirement for your car when necessary.
• Inspect your tires regularly, especially for long trips.
• It is recommended you rotate your tires every 6,000-8,000 miles.
• Balance your tires and wheels when needed 

CONCLUSION

It is mainly the responsibility of the driver or car owner to check the expiry date of their tires. This is highly essential as it would reduce the risk of accidents caused by tire explosion, especially when the vehicle is running at high speed. You can always refer back to this article and this page to know how to check the tire expiry date as well as other safety tips for your car.