How to read a tire's age - GOOD TO KNOW...

[george graves]

I consider myself well versed in all things "car" - so I was surprised when I sat down and saw a "dateline NBC" telling me something I didn't know.

So here is the skiny - When it comes to determining the age of a tire, it is easy to identify when a tire was manufactured by reading its Tire Identification Code (serial number) DOT requires that Tire Identification Code be a combination of eleven or twelve letters and numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size, manufacturer's code, and week and year the tire was manufactured.

Examples of tires manufactured since 2000 with this Tire Identification Code format:
XXXXXXXX 0608
06 - Manufactured during the 06th week of the year 08
Should be a useful tool for anyone - hope that helps..

[george graves]

Beta firefox double post ftl.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

I believe this has been posted before

And I thought it was common knowledge before that

[george graves]

Sorry - I'm behind the times on tire tech ...

[mtechnik]

Thnx for the info George, it's news to me . :up:

[atomic]

Thnx for the info George, it's news to me . :up:

[uofom3]

Thnx for the info George, it's news to me . :up:

+1

[speedhop]

+1

[george graves]

And I thought it was common knowledge before that

YEA - I hear you - it SHOULD be common knowledge - I guess that's why I posted. Glad it helped you guys.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

I'm sorry, my post probably sounded pretty asshole-ish

You are absolutely right, it should be common knowledge

[Farbin Kaiber]

I'm sorry, my post probably sounded pretty asshole-ish

You are absolutely right, it should be common knowledge

Should be, I always try to use that as a selling point with tires 5 years or older, when I have a job. It's a common overlooked item, and as extra knowledge you may or may not know, tires made before the year 2000, only used one digit space for the year, still using 2 for the week of production. So, as a rule of replace your f'n tires, if there are only three digits at the end of your DOT #, your rolling on 9+ year old tires. Rubber degrades and tires should be replaced due to age on high performance vehicles. Trailers, too.

[FredK]

You there, fill it up with petroleum distillates and revulcanize my tires, posthaste!

[browntown]

does that work for tires prior to 2000? I'm sure I have some decade old ones, and my pristine spare tire from the eta might push two decades.

[atomic]

Should be, I always try to use that as a selling point with tires 5 years or older, when I have a job. It's a common overlooked item, and as extra knowledge you may or may not know, tires made before the year 2000, only used one digit space for the year, still using 2 for the week of production. So, as a rule of replace your f'n tires, if there are only three digits at the end of your DOT #, your rolling on 9+ year old tires. Rubber degrades and tires should be replaced due to age on high performance vehicles. Trailers, too.

So your not selling any tires lately huh ??



;)

[george graves]

One last thing - sometimes they print the number on the back side of the tire. So if you don't see it on a directional tire, that's why.