How to Check Tire Manufacturing Date?
2 Answers
On the sidewall of the tire, locate a string of characters starting with the English letters "DOT". At the end of these characters, there will be a four-digit number enclosed in an oval border, which represents the tire's manufacturing date. The first two digits indicate the week of the year the tire was produced, while the last two digits represent the production year. Some tires are sold only in China and not exported to the U.S., so they may not have the DOT marking on the sidewall. However, they still contain manufacturing date, factory code, and other information. Here are some precautions regarding car tires: 1. Regular Tire Pressure Checks: Avoid overinflation or underinflation. Overinflation may lead to tire bursts due to excessive expansion pressure during high-speed driving, while underinflation causes excessive tire flexing on uneven roads, keeping the tire in a prolonged fatigue state and accelerating aging. Therefore, maintain the standard tire pressure as recommended by the manufacturer, including the spare tire. 2. Regular Tire Rotation: Perform cross rotation of front and rear tires to ensure even wear across all four tires. This also improves friction between the front wheels (steering drive wheels) and the road surface, preventing front-wheel slippage and ensuring driving safety. 3. Regular Wheel Balancing: Regular balancing checks not only extend tire life but also enhance driving stability. 4. Timely Replacement: The recommended service life for tires is approximately 40,000 kilometers. In excellent road conditions, this can be extended to 60,000 kilometers, but tires should be replaced if they have been in use for over two years.
Finding the tire production date is actually quite simple. I usually look for the small numbers and letters printed on the sidewall of the tire. There's something called the DOT code, and its last four digits are the key part. The first two digits represent the production week, and the last two indicate the year. For example, 2323 means the tire was produced in the 23rd week of 2023. It's easier to find near the wheel hub on the tire sidewall, and sometimes you need to move the car slightly to get a clear view. Knowing this date is important because tires age even when unused - the rubber hardens and becomes prone to cracking, affecting braking and cornering safety. Generally, it's recommended that tires not be used for more than 6 years. So when buying a car or new tires, I always specifically check the date to avoid purchasing tires that have been sitting in storage for too long. A quick glance during routine car washes or tire pressure checks can also prevent future issues. Remembering these small tips can save a lot of hassle and ensure smoother driving.