Got 2 new Firestone FR380 WS P205/70R15 95S tires last Nov for 97 Merc. Bad blowout on hwy. Any1 else w/same?

Question

Had a complete blowout yesterday on R rear driver's side - one of the 2 new tires I got in 11/07. Don't know if I hit something on the Interstate or if tire was faulty. Has anyone had similar thing happen?

Answer 1

Determining the Age of a Tire First............

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that Tire Identification Code be a combination of eleven or twelve letters and numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size, manufacturer's code, and week and year the tire was manufactured.

Tires Manufactured Since 2000

Today, the week and year the tire was manufactured is contained in the last four digits of the serial number, with the 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year.

Examples of tires manufactured since 2000 with this Tire Identification Code format:

XXXXXXXX 0608  

XXXXXXXX 0600 06 - Manufactured during the 06th week of the year

XXXXXXXX 0608 08 - Manufactured during 2008

And

XXXXXXXX 0600  

XXXXXXXX 0608 06 - Manufactured during the 06th week of the year

XXXXXXXX 0600 00 - Manufactured during 2000

Answer 2

It reminds me of an episode from 20/20 regarding tires manufactured more than 10 yrs. ago still being sold at stores.  Apparently, there is an expiration date for tires (aside from the standard mileage wear and tear).  

There is a code on your tire that states the year it was manufactured.  You may find that you purchased a tire that may be new, but manufactured years ago.