Buying used tires can be economical, environmentally friendly – and dangerous!

Used tires can cost a fraction of a new set – but even if the treads are great, the risk could be too... 

Consumer Reports’ expert, Jim Travers, says it’s easy to find the right size and good treads – but there is no way of knowing if those tires have been overloaded, under-inflated or driven at excessive speeds – all of which effect quality and safety. 

He says it’s also important to remember that tires degrade over time and unused tires become compromised after a number of years. Even if you’re buying a new set, check the DOT code on the sidewall. The last 4 digits indicate the week and year the tire was made. You want to be sure it hasn’t been sitting around in a warehouse for too long.