Tires: age of tires, interstate highways, inboard side

Question
Hi Barry,
I have the original tires on my 2001 Pontiac Bonnevlle. 40,000 miles on the car; and plenty of thread on the tires.  Trying to find the date of manufacture on the tires and see only "TPC1089". I do drive on the interstate highways.  How important is it for me to replace the tires due to age? (They look OK and I always keep them properly inflated.)  If you tell me I ABSOLUTELY NEED to replace the tires, I'd likely purchase the Hankook Optimo H727.  What do you think?  THANKS!

Answer
Peter,

Here's how to read the serial number:

http://www.barrystiretech.com/dotcoding.html


But it is quite likely that the serial number on your tires is on the inboard side of the vehicle.  It was only recently that they changed.

But the tires on your vehicle were likely produced in the year 2000, which would make them coming up on 10 years old.  There is a bit of disagreement as to how old tires have to be to be removed simply because of age - but everyone agrees that 10 year old tires qualify.

But I work for a major manufacturer of tires and I just don't think that it's right to make comments on other brands.

.