People often think that a tire needs to be changed only when the tread can be visually seen to be worn out. Such a notion, considering a very harsh environment like the UAE, with extremely hot days and constant sunlight, presents a significant challenge. The fact is, your tire comes with an invisible timer – an expiration date – and understanding how to find it is absolutely necessary if you want to be safe on the streets of Abu Dhabi.​‍​‌‍​‌ 

Tires are not only worn out, they are also getting older even when they are not used.

​What we usually don’t realize is that tires could be seen as a kind of “perishable goods” in our cars. The rubber compounds in them are going to be degraded after the very moment they are manufactured. This process, called rubber degradation or aging, is being accelerated by factors that can be found all over the Emirates:

• ​Extreme heat: When the temperature is high it causes the oils and chemicals in the rubber to evaporate at a much faster rate and thus the material becomes break.

• ​UV exposure: The ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun, being the most harmful ones, are attacking the rubber and making it not only harden but also crack.

• ​Oxidation: Even exposure to air only is the cause of rubber becoming stiff and that is when it loses its elasticity.

​This aging is the explanation of why tires can look good from the outside but still be dangerous. In fact, a spare tire that is kept in your trunk is going through a slow but steady deterioration process as ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌well.

How​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ to Read the DOT Manufacturing Date on Your Sidewall

Every tire, quite literally, carries its birth certificate right there on the sidewall. You just need to figure out where to look for the DOT Code.

1.​Locate the ‘DOT’ Marking: Inspect the tire sidewall for the letters “DOT” which will be followed by a combination of numbers and letters.

2.​Find the Final Four Digits: The last four digits of the entire string of characters indicate the tire. That four-digit number is the key:

• The first two digits show the week of the year (01 to 52) when the tire was made.

• The last two digits show the year of the decade (e.g., 20, 21, 22).

Example: In case the code ends with 1523, it means the tire was manufactured in the 15th week of 2023.

Doing this very basic check will provide you with the most essential information of all in terms of your tire replacement ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌schedule.

  The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Serious Risks of Using Expired Tires

An old tire is definitely more than just a worn one. Not only is it very risky to use common old tires, but also particularly dangerous to do so in the UAE where the cars are driven at very high speeds and the weather is very hot and dry. Your exposure to such risks if you still pursue this long after the tire has expired is:

• Sudden Blowouts: A hardening of the rubber and weakening of the internal parts results in very fragile tires that under conditions of high speed and hot road can fail abruptly and in a most violent manner.

• Grip and Handling Loss: The rubber of the old tire has lost its essential elastic property to a very large extent and the rubber will no longer be able to grip the road surface to a great extent thereby causing the braking distance to be greatly increased especially in situations of emergency braking.

• Sidewall Cracking (Cracking from Heat): One of the signs of aging are the small spider web cracks on the sidewall and the tread of the tire which are the manifestations of the rubber being dry and structurally degraded. These fissures become more and more profound with time until the tire goes flat or bursts in an unpredictable manner ‌ ‍.

​ Recommended​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Replacement Timeline in the UAE Climate

A​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ tire manufacturer will generally inform you about the duration for which a tire is to be used (for instance, 6 to 10 years from the date of manufacture). This is a global guideline. Given the unique challenges in the UAE, experts at your local tyre shop Abu Dhabi recommend a much more conservative approach:

• ​Maximum Age Limit: Tires, regardless of the depth of the tread, should be replaced if they are 5 years old from the DOT manufacture date.

• ​Inspection Trigger: Tires of three years old or more should be professionally inspected yearly.

• ​Tread Depth: Always keep to the legal minimum tread depth and remember that in the UAE, the age of the tire is often more important than the wear. The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ main reason is that the rubber could have deteriorated even though the tread is still good, so it might be necessary to replace a 4-year-old tire.

Choosing the appropriate moment to replace your tires is a wise safety decision that enables you to drive with trust every ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌kilometre. 

Trust​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Your Vehicle to Liberty Auto Car Care Shop: Your Premier Auto Care Experts

​Keeping your vehicle outfitted with safe and properly aged tires in Abu Dhabi is a top priority for Liberty Auto Car Care Shop. Being one of the best auto care and tire centers in Abu Dhabi, we not only bring the latest technology but also the full knowledge of the vehicle to you.

​Why Choose Liberty Auto Car Care Shop?

• ​Full-Service Expertise: A tire shop is what people mostly think of us. But we are actually a part of a full-service auto care facility. Our skilled and certified technicians are your go-to solution for car repair and maintenance needs once they help you with Car A/C repair, Engine diagnostics and repair, Computer diagnostics, Routine oil change, or Minor Mechanical Services.

• ​Factory-Trained Technicians: The team we are talking about consists of top-notch, factory-trained vehicle technicians who are always ready, capable, and eager to provide quality services on any brand and model of cars and light commercials, thereby a professional job is what you get every time.

• ​Convenient Locations & Services: You can find us at a number of locations that are not difficult to reach and are spread all over Abu Dhabi such as Mussafah M-10, Muroor ADNOC, Al Mushrif, and Al Manasir. Also, we have the Mobile Car Service that can take care of your battery and emergency tyre needs right where you are! ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌

Quick​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Inspection Service at Liberty Car Care

Don’t put your family’s safety at risk without knowing. Liberty Car Care knows that figuring out the age and condition of your tires might be confusing.

In any service appointment, we offer a free Tire Health and Date Check to all our customers. Our certified technicians will:

• Accurately interpret the DOT code for the four tires along with the spare

• Check the sidewalls for any crack caused by the aging process.

• Make sure that you measure the tread depth accurately.

• We would provide you with straightforward and truthful advice as to whether your tires can withstand the severe conditions of Abu Dhabi or not. 

The right choice of tires Abu Dhabi is a decision that comes from data and not just from the visual. We will give you the professional assessment you need.