How to Know the Production Date of a Tire?
3 Answers
The production date of a car tire is 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. Here is the relevant information: 1. The production date of a car tire is part of a series of alphanumeric characters starting with DOT, which stands for U.S. Department of Transportation certification. 2. The following numbers and letters represent the tire's origin information and factory code. 3. The last four digits indicate the production date. 4. Generally, the maximum speed on highways is controlled at 120 km/h, but as tires are continuously used, their load-bearing capacity weakens, and changes in road temperature can also reduce the maximum speed rating. Therefore, manufacturers equip tires with a speed rating several levels higher than the 120 km/h limit to ensure vehicle safety.
I always enjoy studying the little details on cars. Checking the tire production date is actually quite simple—just look for the string of letters and numbers on the tire sidewall. Pay attention to the section marked with DOT; usually, the last four digits represent the date code. For example, if you see 2519, it means the tire was produced in the 25th week of 2019. Tire rubber ages over time, so even if the tread is deep, it's recommended to replace tires older than six years. During my last car maintenance, I noticed a small triangular symbol hidden in the tire groove—this mark aligns with the accurate production date. It's best to check the date regularly, as a blowout from old tires on the highway is no joke.
Last time my friend bought a used car and found the tire production year didn't match, so I taught him how to check the date. Look for that string of code-like numbers on the tire sidewall, specifically focusing on the 4-digit combination. The last two digits indicate the year, while the first two represent the production week. For example, 0520 means the tire was manufactured in the 5th week of 2020. Some tires have their date stamps on the inner side, requiring you to turn the steering wheel fully to see them. Tires over seven years old have hardened rubber and are prone to skidding during emergency braking. I recommend checking the date markings whenever you wash your car - safety comes first.
