Where to Check the Tire Date?
2 Answers
The sidewall of the tire (tire side) displays the production date as the last four digits following the DOT code. These four digits are in the format "AABB." The first two digits "AA" indicate the week of the year, while the last two digits "BB" represent the year. Below are situations when tires need replacement: 1. Relying solely on the production date to determine a tire's lifespan is too hasty; actual tire conditions should also be considered. The most obvious sign is the appearance of numerous fine cracks, known as tire cracking. This not only affects the comfort level of the tire but also severely reduces its grip performance, posing a certain danger while driving. Therefore, do not take chances and replace the tire promptly. 2. Additionally, if the tire feels significantly harder than before, it is likely due to advanced aging, especially in hot weather, which accelerates the hardening of rubber products. When this phenomenon occurs, replacement is necessary to avoid the risk of a blowout.
When I first started driving, I didn't know where to check the tire date, so I asked an experienced friend. He told me the tire date is printed on the sidewall of the tire, which is the part near the wheel hub. You need to find a well-lit spot, squat down, and look carefully—there's a DOT code, a long string of numbers and letters, with the last four digits representing the date code. For example, "1520" means the tire was produced in the 15th week of 2020. As tires age, they harden like rocks, reducing grip, which is especially dangerous in rainy weather. So, every time I wash my car, I take a moment to check the tires. If the date is over six years old, I remind myself it's time to replace them to avoid accidents at high speeds. Safety first—never be careless.
