A woman learned the hard way that old "new" tires can blow out one after another. Mummy Uju ignored her neighbor's warning and took a long trip from Lagos to Abia State in a car parked for three years, using tires bought then but never driven on. All four tires failed before she reached Edo State, highlighting a common seasonal travel risk.
Authorities like the FRSC's Assistant Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem state tires expire four years from their manufacture date, visible as a DOT code on the sidewall. Data shows tire issues cause about nine percent of crashes in Nigeria, with thousands linked to fake or expired products. The FRSC collaborates with groups like SON to fight substandard imports, including tires not suited for tropical heat.
Experts note that even unused tires degrade, as the rubber dries and cracks. Key checks before a trip include pressure, tread, and the manufacturing date. Fleet vehicles need extra attention due to higher mileage. The core lesson is simple: a tire's age matters more than its tread if it's past that four-year mark, a potentially lifesaving detail for holiday travel.
Authorities like the FRSC's Assistant Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem state tires expire four years from their manufacture date, visible as a DOT code on the sidewall. Data shows tire issues cause about nine percent of crashes in Nigeria, with thousands linked to fake or expired products. The FRSC collaborates with groups like SON to fight substandard imports, including tires not suited for tropical heat.
Experts note that even unused tires degrade, as the rubber dries and cracks. Key checks before a trip include pressure, tread, and the manufacturing date. Fleet vehicles need extra attention due to higher mileage. The core lesson is simple: a tire's age matters more than its tread if it's past that four-year mark, a potentially lifesaving detail for holiday travel.
