How to Determine the Production Date of Tires?
4 Answers
Car tire production dates are generally represented by a four-digit number, where the first two digits indicate the production week and the last two digits represent the production year. For example, 2317 means the tire was produced in the 23rd week of 2017. The production date of car tires is part of a series of alphanumeric characters that start with DOT, which stands for U.S. Department of Transportation certification. The following numbers and letters represent the tire's origin information and factory code, while the last four digits indicate the production date. Below are some details about tire dates: 1. The shelf life of tires is about 4 to 5 years. Even if the tires have low mileage, they should be replaced once they exceed this period. 2. When purchasing tires, pay attention to their production date and try to avoid buying tires that have been stored for more than 3 years. Since tires are rubber products, they will degrade over time, leading to reduced performance. If cracks appear, there is a higher risk of tire blowouts, which can compromise driving safety.
Finding the tire production date is actually quite easy. I usually start by looking for the DOT code marked in black on the tire sidewall, which is the certification mark from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Following the code, there's a string of numbers, and the last four digits represent the production date code. The first two digits indicate the week of the year it was manufactured, and the last two digits represent the last two digits of the year. For example, if you see 1523, it means the tire was produced in the 15th week of 2023. Tire aging significantly impacts safety, and tires older than six years should be inspected and replaced, especially for vehicles frequently driven in high-temperature areas, as aging tires can harden and crack, increasing the risk of blowouts. Remember not to confuse the location; some tires have the marking on both sides, so you need to look carefully.
As a seasoned driver, I pay close attention to tire date codes. The last four digits of the DOT number printed on the tire sidewall are crucial - for example, 2824 means the tire was produced in the 28th week of 2024. I always check this when changing tires because it directly relates to safety; tires that have been sitting too long can develop brittle rubber. Last month when helping a friend inspect his older car, I discovered his tires were dated 2019 and advised immediate replacement. Regularly checking this date during maintenance helps avoid potential risks, especially since summer heat can cause greater damage to tires.
The tire production date code is the four digits following the DOT marking. The first two digits represent the production week, and the last two digits indicate the last two digits of the year. For example, 1222 means the tire was manufactured in the 12th week of 2022. Tires undergo aging over time, and those older than 5 years should be thoroughly inspected. This information is standardized and universally applicable worldwide.
