How to Check the Date on New Car Tires?

[DiPreston]

On the sidewall of the tire, locate a string of characters starting with the English letters "DOT". At the end of these characters, there will be a four-digit number enclosed in an oval border, which indicates the tire's production date. The first two digits represent the week of the year the tire was produced, while the last two digits indicate the production year. Below is relevant information about tire maintenance: 1. Daily tire pressure checks. Avoid having tire pressure that is too high or too low. Overinflated tires may risk a blowout under high-speed operation due to inability to withstand excessive expansion pressure, while underinflated tires can cause excessive stretching from uneven road surfaces during driving, keeping the tires in a prolonged fatigue state and accelerating aging. 2. Regular tire rotation. Cross-rotating the front and rear tires ensures even wear across all four tires and provides better friction between the front wheels (steering drive wheels) and the road surface, preventing front-wheel slippage and ensuring driving safety. 3. Regular balance checks. Periodic balance testing not only extends tire life but also improves driving stability. 4. Timely replacement. The recommended lifespan for tires is approximately 40,000 kilometers. In very good road conditions, this can be extended to 60,000 kilometers, but tires older than two years should also be replaced.

[OAmir]

Once I helped my neighbor inspect his newly purchased used car and specifically taught him how to check the tire date. Pay attention to the four-digit number inside the oval frame on the tire sidewall—the first two digits represent the production week, and the last two indicate the year. For example, '3523' means the tire was produced in the 35th week of 2023, roughly around September last year. It's best to check this when you get a new car—a friend once found out his tires had been sitting in storage for three years. Tires start aging after six months, so I recommend immediately contacting the dealership for a replacement if they're older. Also, if the tire is mounted backward, the date code will be on the inner side, so you'll need to crouch down to see it.

[EllianaLee]

Last week, I helped my daughter check the age of her new tires, and it was quite simple. Just squat down and look for the small box with the letters 'DOT' on the tire sidewall. The last four digits inside are the code—for example, '1024' means the tire was produced in the 10th week of 2024 (around March). Tires older than two years are considered stock tires; the tread may look new, but the rubber can become brittle. A quick reminder: the date is often on the side of the drive wheel and can be covered by mud, so remember to wipe it clean before checking. The tire shop mechanic mentioned they often encounter car owners who drive for half a year before realizing their tires are past the recommended age, which is a real disadvantage.

[DelGiselle]

Having been in freight transport for over a decade, reading tire dates is as familiar as checking a watch. Run your fingers along the raised DOT code on the tire sidewall—the last four digits, like '0124', indicate the first week of 2024. New tires depreciate if they're over six months old, especially in high-temperature regions like the South. I've seen dealerships install stock tires on new cars, with dates two years older than the cigarettes in my pocket. Always bring a flashlight for inspection—those numbers can be hard to read in poor lighting.

[Aiden]

I remember when teaching my wife how to read tire dates, I used bubble tea as an analogy: the last four digits of the DOT code on the tire sidewall—the first two indicate the week of the year, and the last two the year. She was both amused and annoyed to find the new tires marked '2522'—they were actually from June two years ago! The 4S store tried to argue, but we directly cited the national quality inspection regulations: new tires in inventory for over three years must be forcibly scrapped. In the end, they replaced the tires for free and even threw in some maintenance. Checking tires really requires a phone magnifier—the numbers are as tiny as ants.

[StephanieMarie]

Last year, I got tricked by the tire date code when buying a car. That four-digit code hidden in the tread—'0523' means the 5th week of 2023 (February), while '4821' indicates an old tire from late 2021. The worst part is the date might be on the inner side, requiring full steering lock to check. Old Chen from the repair shop taught me: if the date frame feels rough under fingernail scraping, it might be a retreaded tire. Now I always bring a tread depth gauge when helping friends buy cars—any tire over five years gets rejected outright. New tires stored for two years lose 30% performance; don't believe dealers' nonsense about 'rubber needing to awaken'.