How to Check the Production Date of Car Tires CmD?

[DelOmar]

On one side of the tire, there is usually a DOT mark embossed. The last four digits of this mark provide information about the production date. 1. It consists of four digits "AABB", where the first two digits "AA" indicate the week of the year, and the last two digits "BB" indicate the year.

[Clifford]

A tip I learned from the mechanic at the auto repair shop: Look for the four-digit number inside the oval on the tire sidewall—that's the birth code. For example, if you see '2523', don't think it's just randomly written; it means the tire was produced in the 25th week of 2023. The number is usually preceded by the letters 'DOT' and sometimes hidden on the inner side of the tire, so you'll need to turn the steering wheel fully to see it clearly. When changing tires, I always pay special attention to this date because, being rubber products, tires older than five years can easily age and crack, even if the tread is deep. Last time, while helping a neighbor check their car, I found the spare tire was already seven years old and looked as good as new. Although the tread was deep, the rubber felt stiff—would you dare to use it?

[McKingston]

The tire production date is hidden in the last four digits of the DOT code – I know this well. The first two digits indicate the week of production, and the last two digits represent the last two digits of the year. For example, 1223 means the tire was produced in the 12th week of 2023. When checking, remember to crouch down and carefully inspect the sidewall. Some tires have the date stamped on the inner side, so you’ll need to turn the steering wheel fully to see it. Pay special attention to tires older than six years, as the rubber hardens, reducing grip and increasing the risk of skidding in wet conditions. Last time I bought a car, I found three tires with different dates, and the seller claimed it was normal. I immediately demanded all four tires be replaced with new ones before finalizing the deal.

[LydiaMarie]

Just look at the four-digit number at the end of the DOT code on the tire sidewall. Last week when helping a colleague inspect a used car, we saw '0921' printed on the tire, and I immediately reminded him it was manufactured in the 3rd week of 2021 - exactly three years old and due for replacement. Remember to check if all tires on the vehicle have similar production dates. If there's more than two years difference between the four tires, it might indicate the car was pieced together after an accident. Once I encountered a car with left front tire marked 2219 and right front 0123 - such mismatched tires are particularly dangerous as they create inconsistent grip on both sides.