A story on 20/20 about the shelf life of tirest was really an awakening for me. This was something I didn't know. Thanks to the story on 20/20 I can avoid buying a tire that is already 12 years old and is being marketing as new. I plan on buying new tires this week, but you can bet I will be sure to check the date for the first time ever.

They say knowledge is power, but in this case it is also a life saver. Learning to read the inside print on a tire will keep you from making a tragic mistake.

To see this rivetting story on ABC News 20/20 Click Here. Below is a short summary on how to read the age of a tire. The video is well worth watching. Please pass this on or re-tweet it to your friends.