How to Check the Tire Production Date?
3 Answers
Tire production date can be found after the DOT marking on the tire sidewall, consisting of four digits. The first two digits indicate the week of production, and the last two digits represent the year. For example, if the four digits to the right of DOT (viewed from right to left) are 0316, it means the tire was produced in the 3rd week of 2016. Tires are rubber products and will age over time. It is recommended that car owners replace their tires every four years, even if the mileage is low during this period. Tires can also age when not in use for extended periods, so it's important to check the production date when purchasing tires.
When it comes to checking tire dates, I often help people inspect them during routine car maintenance. You need to find a well-lit spot, crouch down, and look at the tire sidewall. There, you'll find the DOT number, usually an 11-digit string. The last four digits represent the production date code. For example, '2519' means the tire was produced in the 25th week of 2019. The first two digits indicate the week (ranging from 1 to 52), and the last two digits represent the year. This date is crucial because tires are made of rubber and can crack or deform as they age. Tires older than six years degrade quickly, with reduced grip and a higher risk of blowouts at high speeds. I recommend checking the date every six months when rotating the tires and inspecting the entire sidewall for cracks or bulges—safety details should never be overlooked. Don’t forget the spare tire either; many drivers neglect it, leaving them unprepared in emergencies. Before changing a tire, it’s best to use a phone flashlight to examine all the details clearly.
I've been driving private cars for nearly twenty years, and learning to read tire dates was purely a lesson from experience. Once, I had a flat tire on a countryside trip, and only after changing it did I realize it was due to old tires. Since then, I've understood: first, clean the sidewall to find the DOT code—the few numbers in the corner are key. For example, '1320' means the tire was made in the 13th week of 2020. Old tires are prone to problems, so I usually advise family and friends to note the date in their car manual and check it regularly. The rubber aging process is related to storage conditions; parking outdoors exposed to sun and rain accelerates deterioration. If tires are over seven years old, it's time to prepare for new ones—don't skimp on that cost. When getting new tires at the shop, I always teach them how to check on the spot, along with explaining tire pressure and wear balance. Daily maintenance isn't troublesome.
