Where to Check the Production Date on Car Tires?
3 Answers
Tires have a DOT code molded into them, followed by an 11-digit alphanumeric sequence which serves as the tire's identification or serial number. The last four digits of this serial number indicate the tire's production date. Here's some information about tires: 1. The production date consists of four digits in the format "AABB". The first two digits "AA" represent the week of the year, while the last two digits "BB" indicate the year. For example, 1204 means the tire was produced in the 12th week of 2004. 2. Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on various vehicles or machinery, typically installed on metal rims. They support the vehicle body, absorb external shocks, maintain contact with the road surface, and ensure driving performance. 3. Tires operate under complex and demanding conditions, enduring various deformations, loads, forces, and extreme temperatures during use. Therefore, they must possess high load-bearing capacity, traction performance, and shock absorption. Additionally, they require excellent wear resistance, flexibility, low rolling resistance, and heat generation. Half of the world's rubber consumption is used for tire production, highlighting their significant rubber usage.
The tire production date is quite easy to find. I often check it casually when doing car maintenance. It's printed on the sidewall of the tire—just circle around and you'll spot the last four digits in a string of characters, like 2423. Here, 24 stands for the 24th week of 2023. Why check this? Because tires age over time, hardening and cracking after about five years, and a blowout at high speed can be dangerous. I remember when I first bought my car, the salesperson reminded me to check the date to avoid getting old stock tires. You can crouch down now and feel with your fingers to find a clear section with the numbers. Don’t just check the front tires; inspect the rear ones too. Ensure all tires are consistent for balanced performance and safer driving. Also, checking the date every six months, along with tire pressure and wear, helps keep your tires durable and safe.
Whenever I need to check the tire date, I simply walk to the car and squat down. There's usually a line of small print on the tire sidewall indicating production information, with the key being the last four digits of the numerical part—for example, 1524 means the tire was manufactured in the 15th week of 2024. This date is crucial because old tires tend to become brittle due to drying out and may suddenly lose air while driving, which is especially dangerous at high speeds. I always remind my friends not to overlook it, particularly when dealing with used cars or new tire replacements. During routine checks, I take a quick glance and jot it down in the maintenance manual, while also inspecting the tire surface for cracks or bulges. If the numbers are hard to read, it might be due to excessive wear or dirt buildup, in which case it's time to clean or consider replacing the tire. In short, make it a habit to check regularly—safety first, and it's not even troublesome.
