How to Check the Production Date of a Tire?
2 Answers
Method to check the tire production date: The manufacturing date of a tire can be found on the outer sidewall of the tire. There is a group of four digits in an elongated oval shape at the end of the letters. The first two digits represent the week of the year, and the last two digits represent the year. Sometimes these corresponding marks cannot be found on the tire because it was installed incorrectly, causing it to be mounted in reverse. Tires are circular elastic rubber products assembled on various vehicles or machinery for rolling on the ground. They are usually mounted on metal rims, supporting the vehicle body, cushioning external impacts, ensuring contact with the road surface, and maintaining the vehicle's driving performance. Tires serve as the medium for transmitting forces between the vehicle and the road, transferring driving force, braking force, steering force, etc., thereby enabling the vehicle's driving, braking, and steering operations.
Checking a tire's production date is actually quite easy. As someone who's been driving for years, I always pay attention to it during tire changes or maintenance. There's a code on the tire's sidewall, usually called the DOT number, and the last four digits are crucial. For example, if you see '1520', it means the tire was produced in the 15th week of 2020, which is around early April. Finding this code is simple: crouch down to look at the tire's sidewall and circle around until you spot those four digits near the DOT marking. Why is this important? Because tires have a lifespan, and after 5-6 years, they're prone to aging and cracking, which affects grip and can even lead to blowouts—very dangerous. I recommend checking every quarter, especially when buying used tires or for vehicles parked long-term. Newer tires mean better performance and safety, so don't skimp by overlooking this small detail.
