Where Can I Check the Tire Production Date?
3 Answers
The production date of a tire can be identified through the markings on the tire sidewall. The last four digits following the letters DOT indicate the tire's production date. The first two digits of the sidewall marking represent the week of the year, while the last two digits indicate the year. The production date of a tire should not exceed three years, as the primary material of tires is rubber, and tires aged beyond three years may have deteriorated, posing safety hazards when used. Tire Replacement Cycle: The service life of car tires is four years or eighty thousand kilometers, whichever comes first. If there are more than five damages, early replacement is required. If there is even one damage on the sidewall, replacement is necessary. If you frequently drive on rough roads and the tires show severe wear, they should be replaced earlier. Tire Maintenance: Regularly check tire pressure, avoid hitting obstacles, stop using tires when the tread wears down to the wear indicator, ensure proper wheel alignment and balancing, protect tires from damage by sunlight, oil, acid, and carbon compounds, and rotate tires periodically.
I always check the production date every time I change tires by looking at the sidewall, where there's a four-digit number with a small circle, like 3023 representing the 30th week of 2023. Remember to carefully inspect each tire, as sometimes even tires on the same car can have different dates—don’t get fooled by sellers. Be extra cautious when buying used tires. My cousin got tricked once—he drove for half a year before realizing they were eight-year-old stock tires with aged rubber. Honestly, even if they're within the warranty period, tires older than three years should be replaced—safety first, especially for those who frequently drive on highways.
We girls are always teased for only caring about the color when looking at cars, but I actually know how to check the tire date too! Last time when I accompanied my best friend to pick up her new car, I taught her: look for the DOT code on the side of the tire, and the last four digits are the birth date. You need to squat down and rotate the tire to find it—the letters are quite small. Remember, 4S stores often replace tires on display cars. My neighbor bought a car whose tire date was two months later than the production date—it must have been a display car. The easiest way is to check the tire year during maintenance. Even if the tread is deep, tires older than six years should be replaced because the rubber becomes brittle.
