Where to Check the Manufacturing Date of a Tire?
3 Answers
Tire manufacturing date is located on the sidewall of the tire: 1. On the sidewall of the tire, there is a set of numbers. The last four digits of this marking indicate the manufacturing date information, which consists of four digits "AABB". The first two digits "AA" represent the week of the year, and the last two digits "BB" represent the year. 2. The 11-digit number and letters immediately following the "DOT" letters on the tire sidewall indicate the identification number or serial number of the tire. 3. The last four digits of the serial number represent the manufacturing date of the tire. The tire manufacturing date code format: the first two digits indicate the production week, and the last two digits indicate the production year.
Last time when I helped my neighbor check the tires, I specifically studied this. There is a string of raised oval numbers on the tire sidewall, for example, it says 0223, which is the manufacturing date. The first two digits, 02, indicate that it was produced in the 2nd week, and the last two digits, 23, represent the year 2023. Remember to look for the last four digits enclosed in an oval circle. Some brands print this on the inner side of the tire, so you might need to turn the steering wheel to see it. Older tires can harden and crack, so it's recommended to regularly inspect tires that are over 6 years old, even if the tread depth is still good.
Finding a tire's birth date is like checking a food's expiration date. When I changed my tires, the mechanic taught me to look at the last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall: for example, 2519 means the 25th week of 2019. Be careful not to confuse it with other numbers at the beginning of the DOT code—last week, a friend mistook the factory code for the date. Tires older than five years will show a noticeable decline in grip, especially in rainy weather when they’re more prone to slipping. If you find old tires, replacing them as soon as possible is safer.
