Tire Manufacturer Date Codes
For many years the codes on America's auto and truck tires have been kept a mystery. The codes were not clearly defined in months, days and years and so consumers were unable to determine when the tires on their vehicle had been manufactured and therefore whether the tire's age required that they be replaced for the sake of safety. Recently the codes have been revealed.
The codes used come in two flavors. Tires manufactured between January 1990 and December 1999 use a three-digit code. For example Department of Transportation (DOT) code 266 indicates the tire was manufactured in the 26th week of year 1996. So the first two digits are the week of the year of manufacture and the last digit is the last digit of the 1990 decade year. Tires manufactured after December 1999 have a four digit code. For example DOT code 2601 indicates the tire was manufactured in the 26th week of year 2001. So the first two digits are the week of the year of manufacture and the last two digit the last two digit of the year in the 21st century. It is necessary for consumers to know this as a tire's lifespan is determined not only by the number of miles and wear, but the age of the tire as tires dry out over time and can fail with little mileage on them if the are old enough. Buying new tires might actually mean having bought tires that have sat in a warehouse for a number of years and have little useable mileage left on them!
All consumers should check the manufacture codes on all tires on vehicles they own to determine their age, as well as, their mileage and wear. Remember, at 60-plus miles-per-hour on the highway, tire failure can mean serious injury or death to anyone driving or riding in the vehicle.
4/27/05 ( 749 )
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