What does DOT on tires mean?

[DeKai]

Tire DOT refers to the certification by the U.S. Department of Transportation, usually followed by a series of numbers and letters, which respectively indicate the tire's origin information and factory code. The last four digits represent the tire's production date. Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on metal rims, designed for rolling contact with the ground on various vehicles or machinery. They support the vehicle body, absorb external shocks, ensure contact with the road surface, and maintain driving performance. Tires operate under complex and demanding conditions, enduring various deformations, load forces, and high and low temperatures during use, while providing high load-bearing capacity, traction performance, and cushioning ability.

[MacMargaret]

I'm an experienced driver and have driven many cars, so I'm very familiar with the DOT marking on tires. DOT stands for the abbreviation of the U.S. Department of Transportation, meaning the tire has passed their safety certification standards. The DOT code is printed on the sidewall of the tire, appearing as a combination of letters and numbers. The last four digits are crucial—they indicate the manufacturing date. For example, if you see '1523', it means the tire was produced in the 15th week of 2023. Tire aging is a common issue; rubber hardens and cracks after several years of use, making blowouts at high speeds particularly dangerous. I've seen many fellow drivers ignore this date and end up in accidents due to using tires over 10 years old. So, I recommend checking the production date during every maintenance service. Generally, tires older than 6 years should be replaced—don’t just judge their condition by tread depth. Safe driving starts with attention to detail.

[KatherineDella]

I usually drive to work for my daily commute, and I was curious about the meaning of 'DOT' on the tires. Later, I found out it stands for 'Department of Transportation,' representing the safety certification from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The DOT number isn't just for decoration—it contains crucial information. The last four digits indicate the production date. For example, '2922' means the tire was manufactured in the 29th week of 2022. Tires age over time even if they haven't been used, as the rubber degrades, leading to reduced grip, which can be dangerous in rainy or snowy conditions. Once, while helping a friend pick a used car, I checked this date and discovered the tires were over 8 years old, so we replaced them immediately. I recommend not just focusing on price when buying tires—the production date is vital. Checking it every six months can help avoid accidents. Daily maintenance is that simple.

[Harris]

As a young car owner, I was curious about the DOT marking on tires and found it quite useful. DOT stands for the U.S. Department of Transportation, simply put, it's a certification mark for tire safety. The serial number usually includes a manufacturing date code at the end, such as ‘0424’ indicating the tire was produced in the 4th week of 2024. Tires older than 5 years are prone to issues, making the car feel unstable while driving. I learned this when buying my first car and always ask the salesperson about the production date when replacing tires to avoid old stock. Maintaining tires isn't troublesome; checking the date is just part of preventing problems before they occur.