Is it normal for car tires to have different production dates?
2 Answers
Under normal circumstances, the tires on all four wheels of a new car are produced in the same year and same cycle. However, even if the four tires are not from the exact same date, they may still belong to the same batch. Sometimes there might be a slight time difference, but the dates should not vary significantly. If the time difference is substantial, it could indicate a problem. Additional information: 1. Generally, tires are produced first because they need to be manufactured by tire companies before being sold to automobile manufacturers for installation on completed vehicles. 2. All tires have production dates, which can be found on the sidewall of the tire. There is a four-digit code in an elongated oval shape at the end of the DOT marking. The first two digits represent the week of the year, and the last two digits represent the year. 3. For new cars, it is acceptable to use tires with different production dates, but tires on the same axle must be of the same brand, same tread pattern, same size, same load index, same speed rating, and have similar tread depths. This is to ensure safe driving.
As someone who often helps friends check their cars, I've noticed that differences in tire production dates are actually quite common. When a vehicle leaves the factory, its tires may come from different supplier batches, or during tire repairs, only a single tire might be replaced, making date inconsistencies normal. However, it's important to pay attention to the time gap in tire aging. For example, if a new tire was produced in 2023 and an old one in 2020, the difference is significant, which can lead to safety risks like longer braking distances or blowouts. I recommend checking the DOT code on the tire sidewall during regular maintenance to find the production week. Ideally, tires on the same axle or all four wheels should have production dates within one year of each other. Also, consider the service life—tires older than five years should be treated with caution even if they appear new, and regular rotation is necessary to ensure even wear. If you encounter this situation, don't panic; just check for potential safety hazards. Most of the time, as long as the dates aren't too far apart, it's fine.
