The markings of the origin and time of production of a specific tire are standardized, so identical markings are used by all tire manufacturers. However, in order to find out when the tire was manufactured, you need to decipher the four-digit code, which, contrary to what it seems, does not indicate the year of manufacture.
Why is it worth checking the tire age?
It might seem that the information about when the tire was manufactured is not the most important thing. Most drivers judge the condition of tires by their appearance, and especially by their tread depth. Let us remind you that the minimum permissible tread depth is 1.6 mm, but it is recommended to change tires when they are already about 3-4 mm deep. Tires are also unfit for use if they show uneven wear or damage such as cracks or bumps.
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According to Motointegrator.com representative Mindaugas Šerejs, it is necessary to evaluate the fact that the rubber compound ages and its properties change. Old tires harden and lose elasticity, which reduces their grip on the road surface. Such tires can react unpredictably on wet asphalt or snow, even if the tread is deep enough.
“The aging process of tires also affects their durability.
Older tires may look good at first glance, but in reality they are structurally weakened. You can recognize wear, for example, by small cracks on the sides of the tire and flaking of the tread. This happens when the rubber mixture loses its plasticity,” says M. Šerėjus.
Where is the date of manufacture marked on the tire?
Information about the year of manufacture is written on the sidewall of the tire. You can find the tire’s year of manufacture at the end of the DOT (Department of Transportation) code, which confirms compliance with the standards of the American Department of Transportation. The production date code is preceded by the production location code, but it is less important. You will also find such markings on motorcycle and commercial vehicle tires. How to read the year of manufacture of a tire?
According to Sherey, to check the age of a tire, you need to find the four numbers of the DOT code, usually marked on the sidewall. However, this is not the year of manufacture, as one might think at first glance. Tires may have the code 3223, which doesn’t say much. How to read the information and decode the meaning?
“The first two numbers represent the week the tires were manufactured. A year has more than 52 weeks, so the first two numbers can be between 01 and 53. The marking 3223 indicates the 32nd week of the year, which means the tire was manufactured in August. The last two numbers indicate the year of manufacture. In this case, it’s easier because it’s a date suffix. The number 3223 means that the tire was manufactured in 2023,” explains M. Šerėjus.
Prior to 2000, only three numbers were used to indicate the year of manufacture of tires, which also represented the year and week of manufacture. The first two represented the week and the third was the last digit of the specific year. However, this was less informative, as it is not clear which decade is being referred to – both 1988 and 1998 tires could have the same last digit of the year. To distinguish the dates, some manufacturers used a triangle symbol to identify tires manufactured after the 1990s.
How often should tires be changed?
Now that you know how to check the year of manufacture of your tires, take a look at your tires. It may turn out that, despite the good appearance, the tires are very old and it is time to change them. It is recommended to replace tires 8-10 years after their manufacture, even if the tread depth is still sufficient. The rubber of such tires no longer fulfills its functions, and the operation of the set in such a condition can be even dangerous.
“There may also be a situation where the tires will need to be replaced even earlier.” The service life of tires is influenced by many factors, such as tire pressure, suspension geometry, driving style, tire dimensions and car load,” emphasizes M. Šerejs.
According to the interviewer, improper suspension geometry or driving with improper tire pressure can accelerate tire wear. Tires that are driven only on highways have a tendency to develop so-called toothing, which causes a characteristic noise. In order to avoid these problems, it is necessary to regularly check the tire pressure and the condition of the suspension, as well as change the position of the tires every time during installation.
