How to Check the Date on Car Tires?
3 Answers
To check the date on car tires, look for a four-digit number on the sidewall of the tire. The first two digits represent the week of the year, and the last two digits indicate the year. Car tires are one of the essential components of a vehicle, directly in contact with the road surface. They work together with the car's suspension to absorb shocks during driving, ensuring a comfortable ride and smooth driving experience. They also provide good traction between the wheels and the road, enhancing the vehicle's traction, braking, and off-road capabilities. Tires can be classified by structure into radial tires and bias-ply tires, and by tread pattern into ribbed tires, transverse pattern tires, mixed pattern tires, and off-road pattern tires.
I've been driving for over a decade and regularly check tire dates for safety. Look for the DOT marking on the tire sidewall, followed by a string of numbers—the last four digits indicate the date code. The first two digits represent the production week (e.g., 15 means the 15th week), and the last two denote the year (e.g., 23 stands for 2023). For example, code 2219 means the tire was produced in the 22nd week of 2019. Tire aging affects grip and braking distance, so I recommend checking every six months. If the date exceeds six years, it's best to replace the tire to avoid skidding in wet conditions. I keep a flashlight in my car and sometimes use soapy water on the sidewall to spot the code more clearly. A quick reminder: while tire rotation may change their positions, the manufacturing date remains unchanged. Safety first—making it a habit saves hassle.
As a car enthusiast, I find using my phone to check tire dates super convenient. First locate the DOT marking on the tire sidewall, photograph the number sequence with your camera, then zoom in to see the last four digits. The first two digits represent the week number, while the last two indicate the year - for example, 3520 means the tire was manufactured in the 35th week of 2020. Some apps can scan DOT codes to decode dates, making it easy to get the details. Tires older than 5 years are prone to weathering and cracking, increasing blowout risks. While I have TPMS installed, it doesn't automatically alert me about tire age, so I check manually. New car owners should try this method - it takes just minutes, and you can combine it with tread depth checks for overall tire health. Never neglect this, as aged tires become increasingly dangerous at highway speeds. Simply recording the dates helps prevent potential hazards.
