How to Check the Production Date of Tires and Vehicles?
4 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.
Let me explain how to check the production dates of tires and vehicles. I've seen this often at auto repair shops. For tires, each sidewall has a DOT code, with the last four digits indicating the week and year of production. For example, 0518 means the tire was made in the 5th week of 2018. For the vehicle's production date, check the VIN code. The 10th digit of the string of numbers on the lower left of the windshield represents the year—A stands for 2010, B for 2011, and so on. You can find the year chart by searching online. I remind car owners to check these dates regularly. Tires older than five years should be considered for replacement, as they wear out faster and can cause skidding. Older vehicles also require attention to maintenance intervals. All this information is in the original manual—taking time to read it can teach you many practical tips.
A friend asked how to check tire and car dates, which reminded me of what I learned when buying a car last time. Tires are easy to identify: there's a small four-digit mark on the sidewall, like 0919, which means the tire was produced in the 9th week of 2019. The car's production date is usually marked on the label inside the passenger door frame, showing the year and month, or you can decode the 10th digit of the VIN to find the year. This is important because tires older than five years should be replaced, as their grip deteriorates. Next time you go for maintenance, just ask the technician—they can check it in a minute.
