Safe on the road: How old can your summer tires be?

When it's time to change your tires, the question arises as to how old summer tires can be. Legally, there is generally no maximum age, but the ADAC recommends replacing summer tires after eight to ten years at the latest, regardless of their condition. Winter tires should not be used for longer than eight years, as they lose grip over time. To check the age, look on the tire sidewall for the DOT number, which indicates the week and year of production. External damage such as cracks should be checked urgently and the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimeters should be observed. Replacement is recommended at three millimetres for summer tires and four millimetres for winter tires