In this article, we will learn what is tire date code or DOT code, what does tire DOT code mean, and how to read a tire date code.
Let’s explore.
What exactly is a Tire Date Code?
You may be perplexed about the significance of the number and letter series on the sidewall of your tire. These standards are about the tire DOT code, which is a crucial aspect that can assist you in specifying important information about your tire.
The Tire Date Code is located on the sidewall of your tire and is part of a sequence of numbers known as the DOT Code – also known as the Tire Identification Number – that identify your tire (TIN).
In addition to determining the date of manufacture of tires, this code from the Department of Transportation can be helpful in the process of registering new tires with the manufacturer and even identifying tires in the event of a product recall, according to the Department of Transportation.
Credit: tirebuyer.com
What exactly is the DOT code?
The Department of Transportation (DOT) is represented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which the United States established in 1971. It is verified by the DOT numbers on tires that the tire manufacturer complies with all of the safety requirements set forth by this organization.
After 2000, the more extended number set has been more generally recognized on all tires. It is the most popular and reliable method of reading your tire characteristics in its entirety, including the date and location of manufacture.
How can I read the DOT tire code?
Tire date codes, commonly known as Tire Identification Numbers (TIN), identify tires (TIN). Under normal circumstances, you can get important information about your tire manufacturer from the Department of Transportation by using 13 characters. What is the DOT tire code on your tire, and how do you read it? The solution is provided below.
TIN; 7-12 Characters
- The first two characters will be a code representing the manufacturer’s plant code, which the manufacturer’s plant code will represent.
- The tire size code is represented by the following one to two characters after that.
- There can only be four characters in the following grouping, and they must be assigned to a tire by the manufacturer following their internal codes for the specific construction of that tire. Since these characters are optional for the manufacturer, the TIN can be any length up to a maximum of twelve characters in duration.
- The final four digits of any tire manufactured since the year 2000 are known as the tire date code, and they indicate the date the tire was manufactured. The first two digits of this number represent the week of the year in which the tires were manufactured, and the final two digits represent the last two digits of the year in which the tires were manufactured. (For example, the number 1319 denotes the thirteenth week of the year 2019.)
TIN; 13-character code
A group of three characters representing the plant code makes up the first segment of the first grouping. Recent legislation has increased the number of characters in the factory code from two to three. The inclusion of this digit will result in the DOT code having a total length of 13 characters in total.
It consists of six characters that identify the tire size, tire type, or any other significant properties of the tire; in contrast to the eight to twelve-character TIN, these characters are not optional for the manufacturer. It is the manufacture date that is represented by the last four digits. When you look at the numerals, the first two represent the week, and the last two identify the year. Tires bearing the number 2910, for example, were created in the 29th week of 2010, according to the tire manufacturer’s records.
Tires are required to have the complete DOT code (including the date code component) displayed on at least one sidewall of each tire. According to the manufacturers’ choice, the opposite sidewall will carry either a full DOT code (with the date) or a partial DOT code (without the date code and any optional characters).
If your tires were manufactured before the year 2000, the date code will consist of only three digits – the first two digits will again indicate the week of the year, and the last number will represent the last digit of the year in which the tire was produced. As a result, a tire with a date code of “529” could have been made in December 1999, December 1989, or even December 1979, depending on the manufacturer. One important point to remember is that all tires manufactured after April 13, 2025, must meet the thirteen-character TIN requirement.
How do I find out when a tire was manufactured?
Getting a tire DOT number might be confusing for some drivers, and there are several options available. If you find yourself in a similar scenario, the following tip on how to read DOT numbers on tires may be of use.
Tires that have been manufactured from the year 2000.
Since 2000, the date of manufacture has included four numerals in addition to the year. The first two figures reflect the week in which the tire was manufactured, and the last two characters denote the year in which the tire was manufactured.
Tires that were manufactured before 2000
Tire series numbers for manufacturing dates before the year 2000 consist of three digits rather than four digits, as opposed to the more common four digits. The production week is indicated by the first two letters, and the year is indicated by the final letter.
What about the DOT numbers that aren’t complete?
The DOT numbers do not completely establish the current DOT standards, which state that the entire number must be signed on only one tire sidewall to be valid. As a result, if you notice certain characters on one sidewall, examine the adjacent sidewall to obtain the complete DOT number.
When there is no DOT number on the sidewall of a tire, it implies that the tire does not meet all of the requirements of the United States. As a result, these tires with insufficient DOT numbers are prohibited from being sold in the United States.
Does the age of the tire matter?
There are numerous organic and natural materials used in the construction of tires, including rubber. Like all organic materials, the rubber compounds in a tire will degrade with time, and this is no exception.
The opposite is true when new tires are incorrectly stored and exposed to the weather, as this will result in rapid degradation, which will result in dry rot and cracking, as well as a lower total tire lifespan.
You can be confident that every Bridgestone tire you purchase from an authorized tire dealer or a Bridgestone B-Select concept shop has been preserved with the highest care, allowing you to enjoy your Bridgestone tire for the longest period possible.
Starting from the moment your Bridgestone tires are manufactured at our facility and continuing until they reach their final destination at an authorized Bridgestone tire dealer’s shop, our proper logistics methods ensure that tires are always stored and stacked properly to prevent damage. As a result, make sure your tires are correctly stacked, maintained in a dry environment, and kept away from direct sunshine and heat.
What is the significance of the DOT Code?
DOT codes are crucial for a variety of reasons, the most important of which is that they are used to register your tire with the manufacturer. When you register your tires, you are providing the tire manufacturer with your name and address so that they can contact you in the event of a tire recall.
What is the DOT Date Code and why should one be concerned about it?
Simply because you purchase “new” tires does not imply that they were manufactured recently. Following shipment from the manufacturer, it may take some time for tires to reach tire merchants in their respective markets. By looking at the DOT Date Code on your tires, you may find out when they were manufactured and how long they may have been stored. It’s crucial to understand that tires are frequently used for months or years at a time, hence your tire’s DOT code may not be the same as the tire’s purchase year. This is not a cause for concern.
Tire protection is extremely important to us here at Tires Easy. Once the tires arrive at Tires Easy, they are transported to one of our industrial tire warehouses, where they are properly stored and protected from exposure to seasonal weather conditions. Our storage facilities are cool, climate-controlled, and dry, which helps to avoid premature aging or damage to your items. Poor storage circumstances can cause tire aging to be significantly accelerated, so you should make certain that the tires you purchase have been properly stored.
Some Common Misconceptions About the DOT Code for Tire Age
- When it comes to the DOT Date Code, some people believe that the number indicates when the tire was certified. This is not correct. The DOT mark alone does little more than signify that the tire has been approved by the Department of Transportation for use on public roadways. The Date Code identifies the period in which the tire was manufactured (not when it was approved).
- Secondly, you may have heard that you should only purchase tires that have a DOT code that is valid for the current year. According to what we previously stated, this is frequently not the case with many tires simply because it takes time for the tire to arrive in the United States from its manufacturer. No matter how old the DOT Date code is, if the tires have been stored properly, they will remain in outstanding condition for several years.
FAQs
Do tires become harder as they age?
When the tire loses its suppleness, the rubber hardens and becomes more difficult to work with. No matter how much you drive on your tires over a year, this will happen eventually.
Is there a set date for when my tires will need to be replaced?
Every tire has a birthday, and many tires will no longer be sold seven years after they were manufactured. However, because some tires aren’t considered harmful until a decade after they’re manufactured, it’s best to have your tires tested by a specialist to ensure that they’re still safe to drive on.
Do tire date codes have any significance?
No matter how old the DOT Date code is, if the tires have been stored properly, they will remain in outstanding condition for several years.
Tires have a shelf life of how many years?
Tires do have an expiration date, even if it is only a rough estimate. There is widespread agreement that most tires should be inspected, if not changed, every six years, and that they should be replaced completely every ten years, regardless of how much tread they have remaining. What is the best way to tell how old your tires are?
Is there a date stamped on the side of the tire?
Keep in mind that the last four digits of the code represent the date on which the tire was produced. The first two digits of the DOT code can be used to determine the week in which the product was manufactured. The manufacturing year will be revealed by the last two digits of the number. For example, if the year is written as 0203, the manufacturing year corresponds to 2003.
Conclusion
You should now be able to recognize tire date codes. It is sufficient to merely inspect the sidewalls of tires to avoid any further confusion. Also, keep your purchase receipt safe at all times. If you do so, it is possible that you will not be eligible for warranty benefits. Consequently, store your receipts in a safe location and avoid any confusion by double-checking your DOT code.
