How old can the production date of new car tires be?
3 Answers
New car tires should not be older than 3 years from their production date. Below are specific details about tires: 1. Definition of stock tires: Tires that have been in storage for more than 1 year after production are considered stock tires. However, this also depends on the tire's lifespan. Typically, all-season or economy tires have a lifespan of 3-5 years, with a mileage of around 50,000 kilometers. 2. Checking the tire production date: To find out the production date of a tire, you need to understand how to read the production date marked on the tire. The production date can usually be found on the sidewall of the tire, represented by a four-digit number. The date is part of a series of alphanumeric characters starting with DOT, where the last four digits indicate the production date. The first two digits represent the production week, and the last two digits represent the production year.
Last time I discussed this with a friend, I felt that the production date of new car tires should preferably not exceed one year. This is because tires start aging as soon as they are manufactured, with the rubber gradually hardening, which affects grip and safety performance. When buying a car, you should check the DOT code—on the sidewall of the tire, for example, the numbers 0524 indicate production in the 5th week of 2024. If it's over a year old, the tire might have been sitting in a warehouse for too long, and exposure to wind and sun can accelerate aging. Once you hit the highway with such tires, they are prone to skidding or blowouts, which is extremely dangerous. Personally, I recommend that tires be as fresh as possible, ideally within 6 months. When purchasing a car, proactively ask the salesperson about the production date—don’t let old tires fool you. Safety comes first, after all. Regularly checking tire lifespan can also prevent accidents and save on repair costs. A new car should be perfect; don’t let small details ruin the experience.
As someone who frequently drives with children, I pay special attention to the age of tires. For new car tires, the production date should absolutely not exceed 12 months, otherwise aging issues will creep in unnoticed. When rubber becomes brittle, it increases the risk of losing control on rainy days or mountain roads, raising the chances of accidents. When buying a car, I make it a point to crouch down and check the DOT label on the tires—the first two digits indicate the week, and the last two the year. For example, 2319 means the tire was manufactured in the 23rd week of 2019. If the tires are older than 9 months, it's best to request new ones. Additionally, storage conditions are crucial—tires left outdoors for extended periods, especially in high temperatures, age much faster. I've seen a neighbor replace tires on a new car after just six months because the manufacturing date was too old, not only wasting money but also worrying about compromised driving safety.
