Had some General Altimax Arctics put on my '99 V70 this week (Nov
2010) and noted the DOT code shows a manufacturing date in 2008. Asked the dealer if it was normal to be selling two year old tires and he said, Oh yeah, sure, they're made in Europe, you know. I did know, but it hadn't occurred to me that they'd be allowed to drift across the Atlantic with the currents. He also pointed out that their warranty (such as it is) is based on the installation date.Yes, they are new stock; they don't have whiskers but they did have wispy rubber molding artifacts that were gone by the time I got home. They're just two years old. This model is a currently advertised special by that installer, a nationwide chain.
Is two-year old stock normal practice in tire retailing? Or are these guys just dumping the contents of a salvaged container?
Thanks,
Chip C Toronto