How to Identify the Production Date of Car Tires?
4 Answers
Method to identify the production date of car tires: Locate a string of characters on the tire sidewall that starts with the English letters "DOT". At the end of the string, there will be a four-digit number enclosed in an oval border, which represents the tire's production date. The first two digits indicate the week of the year the tire was produced, while the last two digits represent the production year. Car tires are circular elastic rubber products designed for ground rolling on various vehicles or machinery. They are typically mounted on metal rims to support the vehicle body, absorb external shocks, ensure contact with the road surface, and maintain the vehicle's driving performance.
I just learned this trick when I last bought tires. The production date of the tire is on the sidewall, marked by a DOT code—the last four digits are key. The first two digits indicate the week, and the last two digits represent the year. For example, '2523' means the tire was made in the 25th week of 2023. Don’t underestimate this—tires degrade over time, and old rubber can lead to blowouts at high speeds, which is a serious safety concern. Every time I check my tire pressure, I also glance at the date. If it’s over five years old, I start thinking about replacing them. Storing your car in the shade can extend tire life, saving you money on frequent replacements. I remember the first time I looked for it—it took some effort, as the small print on the sidewall required turning the wheel a bit to see clearly.
Safety first! Always check the tire production date by locating the DOT marking on the sidewall. The last four digits of the code indicate the production date – the first two digits represent the week number, and the last two digits show the year. For example, '1122' means the tire was produced in the 11th week of 2022. Tires typically last about 6 years; beyond that, their grip deteriorates, increasing the risk of skidding and accidents in wet conditions. I always recommend regularly checking the date and assessing tread wear to decide when to replace tires. Never overlook daily driving safety – maintaining healthy tires is a fundamental precaution. After replacing old tires, handling improves significantly, proving how crucial those tiny date codes are.
I asked this question when I first started learning to drive. Identifying a tire's production date isn't complicated: just look for the DOT code on the tire's sidewall. The last four digits indicate the date - the first two represent the week number, and the last two represent the year. For example, '0424' means the tire was produced in the 4th week of 2024. Once you learn this, you can judge the tire's age yourself. Never use expired tires as they compromise safety. When replacing tires, choose ones with more recent production dates for better reliability.
