Where is the production date located on Continental tires?
3 Answers
Continental tire production dates can be found on the sidewall. When replacing tires, it's crucial to pay attention to the production date marked on the tire. Production date representation method: Tire production dates are typically indicated by a four-digit number. The first two digits represent the week of production, while the last two digits indicate the year. For example, "3512" means the tire was produced in the 35th week of 2012. Tire shelf life: The general shelf life is 5 years. When replacing tires, the production date should not exceed 3 years (the more recent the production date, the better, as this means you'll have more usable time within the shelf life). However, tires don't indicate when the shelf life expires; they only display the production date.
I've been driving for over twenty years and have changed quite a few Continental tires. The production date is something you really need to pay attention to. It's usually on the sidewall of the tire, near the rim, marked with a small oval frame containing four digits. The first two digits represent the week of production, and the last two indicate the year. For example, '3523' means the tire was produced in the 35th week of 2023. I remember once buying a used Continental tire at a repair shop and, because I didn't check the date carefully, ended up with a tire that was almost ten years old. It blew out on the highway. Since then, I always personally check the date on new tires I buy. I recommend fellow drivers also take a moment to check during maintenance, as it relates to the tire's aging rate and driving safety. Old tires are prone to cracking and losing grip, which is no small matter. If the tire date is worn out, you can use a phone light with a magnifier to help see it.
In car enthusiast groups, this type of question comes up frequently. The production date of Continental tires is easy to find—it's printed at the end of the DOT code on the tire sidewall. For example, the rear tire on my car is marked with '4023,' indicating it was manufactured in the 40th week of 2023. I often remind friends not to just focus on the brand but also pay close attention to the date—when buying new tires, don't just judge by appearance; even tires sitting in storage for a year or two can suffer performance degradation. When washing or inflating your tires, make it a habit to wipe that area with a damp cloth to keep it clear, helping you spot issues early. By the way, other major tire brands follow a similar pattern—Michelin, for instance, also places the date near the DOT marking on the sidewall. Don't underestimate this detail; it's crucial for tire pressure stability and blowout risk.
