Tire Service Life - Chronological Age alone cannot cause tire failure

I've received many questions with regards to an ABC News story from April on tire aging and tires sold in Canada. Questions regarding tires sold in Canada are difficult for me to comment on as I represent the manufacturers and only keep track of tire sizes and shipments across the country. I can definitely comment on the issue and provide you comments from industry within the United States and Canada as well. The question of tire age and aging and its affect on service life is as some of you know quite a loaded subject. Some vehicle manufacturers have said 6 years, some 7 years, for a brief time the European Tire & Rim Association went from saying there is no age limit to 10 years and back to there is no age limit. All that to say that there are too many factors involved to put a number to it.

The RAC is not aware of scientific or technical data that establishes or identifies a specific minimum or maximum service life for passenger and light truck tires based on chronological age. However, in some cases a tire or vehicle manufacturer may make a specific tire replacement recommendation regarding its products. If so, the consumer should consult the manufacturer with any questions with regard to following the recommendation. Further, any such recommendation should not be considered a minimum serviceable life for the tire.

Tire Service Life

The serviceability of a tire over time is a function of the storage conditions (temperature, humidity, position etc) and service conditions (load, speed, inflation pressure, road hazard damage, etc) to which a tire is subjected throughout its life. Since these conditions vary widely, accurately predicting the serviceable life of a tire in advance is not possible. The older a tire, the greater the change that it will need to be replaced due to service-related conditions found upon inspection by a tire service professional.

Tires should be removed from service for several different reasons, including tread worn down to minimum depth, signs of damage (cuts, cracks, bulges, etc) or signs of abuse (under inflation or overloading, etc) That is why we recommend to have all tires (including retreaded and spare tires) fitted to light trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, recreational vehicles, passengers cars and trailers towed by such vehicles, inspected regularly.

The tire industry continues to support the consumer's role in the regular care and maintenance of their tires. Be Tire Smart - Play Your P.A.R.T. is the formula. A monthly maintenance inspection by the consumer for proper inflation pressure and tread wear should be supplemented by recurring rotation, balancing and alignment services.

Tire Storage guidelines for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and consumers and other conditions of tire service life

Tires should always be stored in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place. Avoid storing tires in areas that are exposed to wetness, petroleum or petroleum-based products, extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, and/or other sources of ozone, such as electric motors. Storage areas should also be clean and free of grease, gasoline or any corrosive chemicals which can deteriorate the rubber.

If a vehicle is fitted with a matching full-size spare tire (same size and type as other in-service tires) the consumer should follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for rotating the spare tire. When any spare tire is placed into service, its inflation pressure must be checked immediately.

Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’ visual condition but also of any change in dynamic performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration. Such a change in performance could be an indication of an internal condition that might dictate removing the tires from service immediately to prevent a tire failure. In these cases, The RAC recommends that consumers consult a tire service professional.

The RAC has always leaned on the side of education rather than legislation. I myself as a consumer always prefer having the ultimate choice in any situation and that means education is best to allow me to make an informed choice.

Ontario Environment Minister Approves Used Tire Plan

April 9, 2009

In a speech delivered at the Waste Diversion Ontario Annual General Meeting today the Ontario Minister of the Environment, the Honorable John Gerretsen, announced the approval of the Ontario Used Tire Program Plan, launching the most ambitious used tire stewardship program in the country.

The Used Tire Program Plan will implement a managed scrap tire solution for On-road and Off-road tires supplied into the Ontario market, diverting these tires away from burning and landfilling to 3R’s processing that will see them reused and recycled into tire derived products (TDPs) such as under-the-hood automotive products, flooring, sports fields, play ground surfaces and construction-related equipment and materials.

The program is funded by Brand Owners and First Importers of tires supplied into the Ontario market, including tire manufacturers, retailers and vehicle manufacturers, who remit a Tire Stewardship Fee (TSF) to OTS for every tire supplied into the Province. These fees will be used by OTS to operate the Used Tire program, including the collection, transporting and processing costs of used tires, including those in stockpiles.

The program will manage all 12 million tires sold in Ontario annually, and will track the tires from collection at over 10,000 points across the province to their sale as tire-derived products, and includes an aggressive three year plan to eliminate the approximately 2.8 million stockpiled tires in 90 sites across Ontario.

“We are pleased with the Minister’s decision to approve the Used Tires Program Plan.” said Glenn Maidment, President of the Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) Board, “We are very pleased to see the tire industry showing leadership on this important issue by accepting responsibility for end-of-life management of used tires. In approving the Plan, the Minister facilitates significant investment in Ontario businesses handling used tires in environmentally-beneficial ways, creating jobs and a green economy for future generations of Ontarians.”

In the first year the program will inject over $22 million into the Ontario-based scrap tire processing industry, supporting Ontario-based processors as they invest in their businesses to increase capacity, adopt new scrap tire processing technologies, and create new “green” jobs in the Province.

With today’s approval OTS will be moving forward to implement the Used Tire program, with September 1st 2009 being the official launch date. For more information on the Used Tire program, or to submit questions on the program, visit www.ontariotirestewardship.org , or contact:

Glenn Maidment
Ontario Tire Stewardship Chair
905-814-1714

Are you a past Big Brother or Big Sister? Maybe a Little?

If you were ever involved with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Canada then BBBSAlumni.ca wants to hear from you. Tell them your story for your chance to win a 100$ gift certificate to the Keg Stakehouse and Bar. Re-connect and read how your involvement has changed the life of so many.

FREE MP3/Audio for Tire Retailers and Radio Stations

For those wanting to be the very best, wanting to be leaders in their community, tire manufacturing members of The Rubber Association of Canada invite you to promote proper tire maintenances practices by using our professionally created MP3 audio files which can be easily modified to include your retail name at the end of each clip. Use these clips in your advertising or even on your phone systems when your clients are on hold.

• radio ad/psa - Drive Through (mp3: 845 Kb)
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VISIT www.betiresmart.ca today!

Welcome to my new BLOG!

I would like to welcome all my followers to my new BLOG where we will talk a lot about tires. Blogging will however not be limited to tires as I have invited a good mix of authors to speak on safety, family, vehicle maintenance and much more... Stay tuned.