BFNAT Sets 10 Years as Tyre Life Span

(Akron/Tire Review) The Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT) is now recommending a maximum life span for passenger vehicle tyres – 10 years. This is a clear break from other US tyre companies, which have fought state and federal attempts to mandate a specific life span and/or require “born on” dates on tyre sidewalls.

The WSJ said BFNAT, in a recent technical bulletin to its dealers and company-owned stores, said that all tyres – including spares – should be replaced if they are 10 years old or older. According to the story, BFNAT cited a similar recommendation recently made by the Japan Automotive Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA).

US tyre companies have resisted efforts to mandate a specific tyre life span due to a lack of scientific evidence that a properly maintained tire could fail due to the effects of aging. Earlier this year, automakers Ford and DaimlerChrysler recommended that tyres older than six years be replaced; General Motors sided with tyre companies, stating that tyre maintenance was the issue, not tyre age, and that any tyre is prone to fail if it is not properly maintained.

In the technical bulletin, BFNAT said that while it has no technical data to support a specific service life, it felt compelled to follow JATMA’s recommendation.