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To find a tire’s manufacture date, look for the four-digit date code at the end of its Department of Transportation (DOT) Tire Identification Number. The first two digits show the production week, and the last two show the year. For example, “2423” means the tire was made during the 24th week of 2023. Knowing the date can help with tire maintenance and replacement decisions, but it is only one factor: condition, use, storage, and the tire maker’s guidance also matter.

Where to Find the Tire Manufacture Date

Check the tire sidewall for a sequence of characters that begins with “DOT.” This marking is the Tire Identification Number, commonly called the TIN. The manufacture date appears at the end of the TIN as a separate group of digits. On tires made since 2000, that date code has four digits.

The complete TIN and date code may appear on only one sidewall. If the DOT marking on the outward-facing side does not end in four digits, inspect the other side of the tire. On a mounted vehicle, the full code may face inward and be difficult to see. A flashlight, phone camera, or inspection by a tire shop can help.

The code is molded into the rubber, so it may be raised rather than printed in a contrasting color. Look carefully along the sidewall near the rim. Avoid confusing the date code with nearby numbers that indicate tire size, load rating, or other specifications.

How to Read the Four-Digit Tire Date Code

For tires made from 2000 onward, the date code uses the format week and year. The first two digits indicate the week of the year, while the last two indicate the year of manufacture.

A week number is not an exact calendar date. It identifies a production week, not the day the tire was made. Week numbers generally run from 01 through 52, and some years include a 53rd production week. A code such as “2423” therefore identifies a period in June 2023, not a specific day.

The code gives the tire’s production date, not when it was shipped, sold, installed, or first driven. A tire purchased recently may have been manufactured months or even years earlier. The date code can help clarify its age, but it does not by itself show how the tire was stored or used.

What “DOT” and the Rest of the TIN Mean

“DOT” indicates that the tire’s manufacturer or importer certifies the tire meets applicable U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards. The characters following “DOT” form the TIN. They identify information such as the manufacturing plant, tire size, and manufacturer-specific details; the final digits provide the manufacture date.

Not every character in the TIN is a date. Tire markings also include information such as the tire’s size, service description, and maximum load and inflation details. These markings serve different purposes, so the date should be read from the final four-digit group on a tire made in 2000 or later—not inferred from another number on the sidewall.

Some tires have a shorter TIN on one sidewall and a complete TIN, including the date code, on the other. This is why a code that appears to end in letters or a shorter string may not be the date. Check both sidewalls before deciding that the date is missing.

How to Identify Older Tire Date Codes

Tires manufactured before 2000 may have a three-digit date code instead of four digits. In those codes, the first two digits generally indicate the production week, and the final digit indicates the year within a decade. Because the decade is not identified, a three-digit code cannot reliably establish the tire’s exact year from the code alone.

For example, a code ending in “8” could refer to a year ending in 8 in more than one decade. Some pre-2000 tires may also have a small triangle after the three digits to indicate the 1990s, but the marking is not a substitute for knowing the tire’s history. If a tire appears to have a three-digit date code, it is old enough that a qualified tire professional should inspect it promptly. Tires from that period should not be treated as suitable for ordinary road use simply because the tread looks good.

Why Tire Age Matters

Tires age through a combination of time, heat, sunlight, air exposure, storage conditions, inflation, loading, and use. Rubber and other tire components can deteriorate as a tire gets older, even when the tread has not worn down. This aging may not be obvious from a quick visual check, and internal damage can be difficult for a driver to detect.

That is why the manufacture date is useful, but it is not a stand-alone safety test. A newer tire can be unsafe if it is damaged, underinflated, overloaded, or worn out. An older tire can appear intact while having age-related deterioration. Drivers should consider age alongside tread depth, pressure, damage, vibration, handling changes, and professional inspection.

There is no single age limit that applies to every tire in every situation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises consumers to follow the vehicle and tire manufacturers’ recommendations for tire replacement. Some tire and vehicle makers recommend replacement after a specified period—often within a range of six to ten years—even if tread remains. The applicable recommendation depends on the manufacturer and should be checked in the owner’s manual or manufacturer guidance.

When to Replace or Have a Tire Inspected

Drivers should replace a tire when it reaches its wear limit or when damage makes it unsafe, regardless of its date code. They should also arrange an inspection if they notice cracks, bulges, cuts, exposed cords, repeated pressure loss, unusual vibration, or a change in vehicle handling. A tire professional can assess conditions that are not easy to evaluate from the outside.

For age-related decisions, check the vehicle owner’s manual and the tire maker’s recommendations. Some manufacturers advise taking tires out of service after a particular number of years, counting from manufacture, while others specify inspection intervals or different limits. A tire that has been used as a spare, stored for a long time, or exposed to harsh conditions may need attention even if it has relatively low mileage.

When buying tires, consumers can ask the seller to show the date code and explain the tire’s storage and warranty terms. A recent manufacture date may be a reasonable preference, but the date alone does not establish whether a tire was stored properly or is in good condition. Reputable sellers should be able to answer questions and provide the information needed to make an informed choice.

How to Check a Tire Date Code Step by Step

1. Park safely. Set the parking brake and inspect the tire while the vehicle is stationary on level ground. Do not crawl under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
2. Find the DOT marking. Look along the sidewall for the characters “DOT” followed by the tire identification information.
3. Check both sides. If the outward-facing side does not show a four-digit date code, inspect the inward-facing side or ask a tire shop to check it.
4. Read the final four digits. Interpret the first pair as the production week and the second pair as the year.
5. Compare the age with guidance. Use the vehicle owner’s manual and tire manufacturer recommendations, and consider a professional inspection if the tire is aging or shows warning signs.

Common Mistakes When Reading a Tire Date

• Reading the wrong numbers: The tire size and other sidewall codes are not the manufacture date. Look for the final four digits in the DOT identification sequence.
• Assuming the code gives a precise day: It identifies a week and year, not the exact date of production.
• Looking only at the outside sidewall: The full TIN may be on the inner side, so check both sides.
• Confusing purchase date with manufacture date: The date code remains the same whether the tire is new in a store or has been in service.
• Using age as the only safety measure: Tread, damage, inflation, use, storage, and manufacturer guidance all matter.

Reliable Sources for Tire Safety Guidance

For current recommendations, consult the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s tire safety information, the vehicle owner’s manual, and the tire manufacturer’s website. NHTSA provides guidance on tire care and safety, while manufacturers can give model-specific recommendations about inspection and replacement. A qualified tire dealer can also examine a tire for damage or deterioration that may not be visible to the driver.

Checking the DOT tire date code takes only a moment: find the final four digits, read them as week and year, and then use the result as one part of a broader safety assessment. The date helps establish when a tire was made, but sound maintenance and manufacturer guidance are essential to deciding whether it remains fit for use.