How to Check the Production Date of Tires and Vehicles?
2 Answers
The production dates of tires and vehicles can be checked as follows: 1. Tire production date: Generally, a DOT mark is molded on one side of the tire. The last four digits of this mark provide information about the production date, consisting of four digits "AABB". The first two digits "AA" indicate the week of the year, while the last two digits "BB" represent the year. 2. Vehicle production date: The production date can be found on the nameplate, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), and the vehicle's user manual. If the characters on the vehicle's factory nameplate appear altered, blurred, or the numbers are skewed, it is strongly advised not to purchase the vehicle. Additionally, the information on the nameplate in the engine compartment must exactly match that on the nameplate on the door side. If any discrepancies are found, it is recommended not to proceed with the purchase.
The other day when I took my beloved car for maintenance, the mechanic reminded me to check the tire date and vehicle production time, which I almost forgot. Checking the tire date is simple - just crouch down and look for a four-digit code starting with DOT on the tire sidewall. For example, 3219 means the tire was produced in the 32nd week of 2019. The vehicle production date is even more straightforward - open the passenger door frame to find the nameplate with the year and month clearly marked, or note down the VIN number and use an online decoder to check the year by entering the 10th digit or letter. That time when I bought a used car, the tires were six years old and made squeaky noises when driving. Fortunately, I replaced them in time and avoided any accidents. As car owners, we should pay more attention to these details. Tires older than five years are prone to cracking and air leakage, which can be especially dangerous on highways. A simple monthly check can save us a lot of trouble.
