How to Identify if the Production Date of a Tire Has Been Altered?
2 Answers
You can determine whether the date on a tire has been modified by observing the tire label. On some tires with altered dates, the date area may appear particularly rough and not originally cast, with noticeable differences in the font. Here are the identification methods: 1. Every tire has a production date, and from the time of manufacture to storage, it should not exceed three years, while its usage should not exceed eight years. If you observe that the production date on the tire exceeds these time frames, it might be a retreaded tire. Some unscrupulous merchants may sand off the original production date and paste a new one onto the tire. When inspecting, also check for any signs of pasting or patching near the production date area. 2. If purchasing tires from a third-party platform, it is best to buy from their official flagship store or directly from the manufacturer's store. To verify whether a newly purchased tire is genuine, inspect the tire tread to see if the seams are intact, check if the tread patterns are regular, and look for any rough areas. Gently rotate the tire to see if the drainage grooves are straight. These details can help determine the quality of the tire.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have repaired countless tires. To tell if the date has been tampered with, you need to look at the last four digits of the DOT code, which represent the week and year of production. Normally, they are printed neatly and clearly. If they've been altered, the ink is often uneven or the numbers appear blurred, and you might even see scratches or paint residue. Feel the rubber surface—older tires tend to harden or develop fine cracks, while a tampered date might not match the tire's actual condition. When changing tires, compare all of them. If they don’t match or differ by several years, be cautious. Aged tires are prone to blowouts, which is very dangerous. During routine maintenance, I always make it a habit to check these details to ensure safety comes first.
