The warnings for buying used tires

By: CBS 21 Web Staff HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A car's tires are the only thing between a motorist and the road, and that's why manufacturers recommend changing them every six to 10 years. But tires can be expensive, so buying used tires is a great alternative, but consumers need to know what to be on the look out for when purchasing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are nearly 11,000 tire-related crashes every year in the United States. "America is sort of behind on the safety telling consumers that the tires are too old and need to discard it," attorney Justin Hill said. Hill specializes in cases involving tire recalls and blowouts. He said saving a little money by buying a used tire may be like playing Russian roulette. Most manufacturers recommend replacing a tire anywhere from six to 10 years, depending on the condition of the car. However, there's no expiration dates on tires. "Some other countries have stamped on expiration dates on tire, but we have been unable to do that. No legislation has been passed that does that," Hill said. When shopping for used tires, the first thing that needs to be found is the Department of Transportation number on the tire. It will be a four digit code at the end telling the consumer the week and year the tire was made. If the tire is too old, it's best to discard it and find other tires. Often times, despite the year, it comes down to the overall condition of the tire, and that can be tested with some elbow grease. "Here is the real test: You throw a tire down and you step on it and you can really see the cracking," mechanic Dennis Mensch said. Sometimes it'll be easy to tell if a tire is dry rotted. If the rubber doesn't appear to be sealed to the rim it can lead to problems, like the tire separating. Juan Santellan, who has owned a tire shop for 35 years, said when purchasing tires, it's all about safety. "For the money and what you are protecting your family, your kids. When it blows out, you go every direction but straight. You can go into oncoming traffic or even the people coming along side you. It's not worth it," Santellan said. Best practice is to have any tires checked before purchase or putting them on a vehicle.