How to Check the Tire Manufacturing Date?
3 Answers
Methods to check the tire manufacturing date: 1. The manufacturing date of the tire can be found on the outer sidewall of the tire, where there is a set of four-digit numbers in an elongated oval shape at the end of the letters DOT; 2. The first two digits represent the week of the year, and the last two digits represent the year. For example, 1713 indicates that the tire was manufactured in the 17th week of 2013; 3. If you cannot find these corresponding marks on the tire, it means the tire is installed backward. For instance, a mark like 3907 represents the manufacturing date as the 39th week of 2007. Check whether the tire's manufacturing date matches the car's purchase date. If the dates differ significantly, it may indicate an issue. If you are buying a car, also pay attention to the tire's manufacturing date mark.
The production date of tires is actually quite crucial. As someone with over a decade of driving experience, I often check them myself. Usually, you can find an oval-shaped mark on the tire sidewall with a code starting with DOT. The last four digits are the date code, for example, 2319 means the tire was produced in the 23rd week of 2019. I remember when I bought my first car, I didn't know this and ended up with a car that had been in stock for two years. The tires were already aged and cracked, and I almost had an accident while driving on the highway. Since then, I've made it a habit to check the tire date every six months, especially before the rainy season or long trips. I use my phone's flashlight to easily identify it. Don't overlook this—tires older than five years should be a cause for concern as aged tires are prone to blowouts, posing significant safety risks. I recommend noting the date in a small notebook for future maintenance reference.
Finding the tire production date isn't hard—I enjoy studying automotive details. There's a DOT code on the tire sidewall, part of a standardized system. The last four digits directly indicate the manufacturing date: the first two represent the week (01-52), and the last two denote the year (e.g., '24' means 2024). For example, 0824 means the tire was produced in the 8th week of 2024. This helps assess tire age, as they typically last about 6 years. I recommend checking during tire changes or car washes—wipe the sidewall clean with a damp cloth for a clear view, and use phone light if needed. Bonus tip: if the date code is illegible or missing, the tire might be retreaded—avoid unsafe sellers. Staying alert prevents surprises.
