Where to Check the Production Date of Motorcycle Tires?
4 Answers
The production date is located on the outer side of the tire, on the sidewall. There is a set of numbers, and the last four digits indicate the production date information. It 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. The functions of the tire are: Support the entire weight of the vehicle, bear the load of the car, and transmit forces and moments in other directions; Transmit traction and braking torque to ensure good adhesion between the wheel and the road surface, improving the car's power performance, braking performance, and passability; Work with the car suspension to mitigate impacts during driving and dampen resulting vibrations; Prevent severe vibrations and early damage to car components, adapt to the vehicle's high-speed performance, reduce driving noise, and ensure driving safety, handling stability, comfort, and energy efficiency. Tire maintenance methods include: Regularly clean stones from the tire treads; Reduce exposure to direct sunlight; Promptly check tire pressure; Pay attention to suspension maintenance; Regularly inspect front wheel alignment; Choose road surfaces carefully while driving, avoid objects that can puncture or scratch the tires, and steer clear of chemical spills that may corrode the tires.
I'm an experienced helper who often checks tires for fellow riders. Finding the date on motorcycle tires is actually quite simple. Just squat down and look at the sidewall for a four-digit number inside an oval-shaped frame. For example, if you see '3423', it means the tire was produced in the 34th week of 2023. This date is usually only visible on the outer side of the tire. As a friendly reminder, you should pay attention to tires that are more than five years old as the rubber can harden and crack. Last time when I helped a friend inspect his bike, we found his rear tire had bulges - it was already seven years old and still in use, which is extremely dangerous. Tires are like shoe soles; when they get old, you need to replace them regardless of tread depth.
Just taught my brother how to check his new tires last week. The date is embossed like small raised characters on the tire sidewall. First, locate the long alphanumeric string starting with DOT, then look for a separate four-digit code in a small box nearby. The first two digits indicate the production week, and the last two show the year. My rear tire says 0722, meaning it was manufactured in February 2022. Remember to rotate the tire to inspect the entire sidewall during checks, as some manufacturers print it near the wheel hub position. Pay special attention to cracking for tires over five years old – aged rubber significantly reduces grip.
Checking tire age is simple. Squat down and look for a four-digit raised code on the tire sidewall, like 1324 which means the tire was produced in the 13th week of 2024. Note that some tires may be mounted inside out, making the date stamp invisible if it's on the inner side. Last week while repairing a car, I noticed fine cracks on a customer's front tire - turned out it was manufactured in 2017. Rubber has a maximum lifespan of six years, so even with deep treads it's dangerous. Old tires are especially prone to skidding in rainy conditions. I recommend checking the date and cracks every six months when cleaning your tires.
