How to Tell the Age of a Tire: Reading the DOT Code Explained
You can tell how old a tire is by reading the DOT Tire Identification Number on the sidewall. The key part is the date code at the end of the full DOT/TIN sequence. Once you know the manufacturing week and year, you can compare the tire’s age with its tread condition, sidewall condition, recall status, and the service-life guidance from your vehicle and tire manufacturer.
Quick Answer
Find the DOT code on the tire sidewall and read the last four digits of the full Tire Identification Number. The first two digits show the manufacturing week, and the last two show the year. For example, 1023 means the tire was made in the 10th week of 2023.
Key Takeaways
- The DOT/TIN date code is usually the last four digits of the full code on the tire sidewall.
- Read modern tire date codes as WWYY: 1023 means week 10 of 2023.
- The full DOT/TIN may appear on only one side of the tire, so check both sidewalls.
- Tire age is only one safety factor. Also check tread depth, cracks, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, air loss, vibration, and recall status.
- Many tire makers recommend professional inspection after about five years and replacement by 10 years, or sooner if the tire is worn, damaged, recalled, or outside your vehicle maker’s guidance.
At a Glance
| Time Required | 2 to 5 minutes per tire |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Tools Needed | Flashlight, phone camera, tire pressure gauge, and a penny or tread-depth gauge |
| Cost | Free for the age check; professional tire inspection costs vary by shop |
What Is a Tire DOT Code?
A tire DOT code is the common name for the DOT Tire Identification Number, often shortened to TIN. It is molded into the sidewall and helps identify the tire for manufacturing, safety, and recall purposes.
The full DOT/TIN can include a plant or manufacturer identification mark, tire size code, optional manufacturer code, and date code. For tire-age checks, the date code is the part you need most. On tires made in 2000 or later, the final four digits identify the week and year of manufacture.
Note: DOT means the tire is marked for compliance with applicable U.S. Department of Transportation tire standards. The code helps with identification, but it does not prove the tire is still safe today. Age, condition, storage, maintenance, use, and damage all matter.
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Where to Find the Tire Date Code
Look on the tire’s sidewall for the letters “DOT.” The full code is molded into the rubber, usually near the rim. The date code is at the end of the full DOT/TIN sequence.
Check both sidewalls. The full DOT/TIN may appear on only one side of the tire, while the other side may show a shorter partial code. If the tire is mounted with the full code facing inward, use a flashlight and phone camera, or ask a tire shop to inspect it safely.
Pro Tip: If you are checking a tire before buying it, take a clear photo of the complete DOT/TIN. You can use it later to confirm the date code, register the tire, or check for tire recalls.
How to Read the Tire Date Code
Reading a modern tire date code is simple once you find the full DOT/TIN. The date code uses four digits in a week-week/year-year format. Under 49 CFR § 574.5, the first two date-code symbols identify the week of the year, and the third and fourth symbols identify the last two digits of the year of manufacture.
Step 1: Locate the Full DOT/TIN
Find the letters “DOT” on the sidewall. Follow the full string of letters and numbers until the end. If you cannot see four final date digits, check the other sidewall because you may be looking at a partial code.
Step 2: Read the Last Four Digits
Focus on the final four numbers of the full code. The first two numbers are the manufacturing week, and the last two numbers are the manufacturing year.
| Date Code | How to Read It | Manufacture Date |
| 1023 | Week 10, year 2023 | 10th week of 2023 |
| 3520 | Week 35, year 2020 | 35th week of 2020 |
| 0126 | Week 01, year 2026 | First full calendar week of 2026 |
Step 3: Calculate the Tire Age
Compare the date code with the current date. A tire marked 1023 was made in the 10th week of 2023. If you are checking it in mid-2026, it is a little over three years old.
Do not judge safety by age alone. A younger tire can be unsafe if it is damaged, underinflated, overloaded, punctured, improperly repaired, or worn out. An older tire can also look usable while the rubber and internal materials have aged.
How to Read Pre-2000 DOT Codes
Tires made before 2000 used an older three-digit date-code format. The first two digits showed the week, and the last digit showed the year within a decade. That means the exact decade can be unclear without additional markings and context.
For real-world safety, the answer is simple: if a tire has only a three-digit date code, treat it as far beyond normal service life. It should not be used on the road, even if the tread looks good.
Warning: Never rely on tread depth alone when a tire is old. Rubber can degrade with time, heat, sunlight, ozone, storage conditions, underinflation, overloading, and impact damage. Have questionable tires inspected by a trained tire professional before driving on them.
What the DOT Code Tells You Besides Age
The DOT/TIN does more than show tire age. It also helps identify the tire for manufacturing records, recall notices, and registration. That matters because tire recalls are tied to specific tire identification details, not just the tire brand name.
Manufacturer and Plant Identification
The early part of the DOT/TIN identifies where and by whom the tire was made. This information supports traceability if a safety issue, defect, or recall affects a production batch.
Tire Size and Manufacturer Code
The DOT/TIN can include tire size and manufacturer-defined characters. These codes help manufacturers, dealers, and regulators identify the tire more precisely.
Date Stamp
The date stamp is the final four digits on modern tires. It tells you the manufacturing week and year, which helps you track tire age, compare used tires, inspect spares, and decide when to ask for a professional inspection.
How Tire Age Affects Safety
Tire age matters because tires are made from rubber compounds and internal materials that change over time. Heat, sunlight, ozone, road conditions, storage, inflation pressure, load, speed, and impacts can all affect how a tire ages.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says tires become more prone to failure as they age and notes that some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, regardless of treadwear. Michelin and Bridgestone both advise regular inspections, with professional inspection after about five years and replacement by 10 years from manufacture, even if the tire appears usable.
NHTSA reported 511 deaths in tire-related crashes in 2024, which is why tire age, tread depth, inflation, damage checks, and recalls should be part of routine vehicle safety.
When to Replace a Tire by Age
There is no single age number that proves every tire is safe or unsafe. Use the most conservative guidance from your tire manufacturer, vehicle manufacturer, owner’s manual, and tire professional.
- Before five years: Inspect tires monthly for pressure, tread wear, cracks, bulges, punctures, vibration, and uneven wear.
- After about five years: Many tire makers recommend a thorough professional inspection at least once a year.
- Six to 10 years: Some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacement somewhere in this range, regardless of treadwear. Follow the stricter guidance for your vehicle and tire.
- At 10 years: Major tire makers commonly recommend taking tires out of service and replacing them, including spare tires, even if they look usable.
- Any age: Replace a tire sooner if it is worn to the treadwear indicators, damaged, repeatedly losing air, recalled, improperly repaired, or showing handling problems.
Michelin explains that tires should be professionally inspected after five years of service and replaced 10 years after the date of manufacture as a precaution. Bridgestone gives similar guidance: inspect after five years and replace tires manufactured 10 years prior or longer, including the spare.
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Inspect Tread and Sidewall Damage
After reading the DOT date code, inspect the tire itself. Age is important, but condition decides whether a tire needs immediate attention.
- Tread depth: Replace the tire when the treadwear indicators are flush with the tread. This means the tread has reached 2/32 inch, or 1.6 mm.
- Sidewall cracks: Cracking can signal age, weathering, or rubber deterioration.
- Bulges or blisters: These can point to internal damage and should be inspected immediately.
- Cuts, punctures, or exposed cords: Do not ignore visible structural damage.
- Uneven wear: This can come from underinflation, overinflation, misalignment, worn suspension parts, or poor rotation habits.
- Ride changes: Vibration, pulling, thumping, or repeated pressure loss can mean the tire needs professional inspection even if tread remains.
How to Verify Tire Age Before Buying
Always check the date code before buying new or used tires. A tire can look clean and still be older than you expect.
- Find the full DOT/TIN on the sidewall.
- Read the final four digits as week and year.
- Check both sidewalls if the full code is not visible.
- Compare the tire age with the vehicle and tire manufacturer’s service-life guidance.
- Inspect tread depth, sidewalls, bead area, previous repairs, air pressure, and signs of uneven wear.
- Check whether the tire has an open recall through the NHTSA tire recall search.
Warning: Be careful with used tires. If you cannot confirm the DOT/TIN, age, recall status, repair history, and condition, the safer choice is to walk away.
Do Spare Tires Have DOT Date Codes?
Yes. Spare tires have DOT/TIN date codes too, and they age even when they are rarely used. A full-size spare should be inspected like the rest of your tires. A compact temporary spare should also be checked for age, pressure, cracking, and damage before you need it in an emergency.
NHTSA notes that spare tires are prone to aging because they are seldom replaced. If your spare is old, cracked, underinflated, or damaged, replace it before relying on it during a roadside emergency.
How to Check for Tire Recalls
The DOT/TIN helps identify tires affected by recalls. Registering new tires also helps manufacturers contact you if a recall is issued.
To check a tire, copy the complete DOT/TIN from the sidewall and use the NHTSA tire recall search. You can also use tire manufacturer recall tools or ask a tire dealer to check the code for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I determine DOT tire age?
Find the full DOT/TIN on the tire sidewall and read the last four digits. The first two digits are the manufacturing week, and the last two digits are the year. For example, 1023 means the tire was made in the 10th week of 2023.
What if I only see a partial DOT code?
Check the other sidewall. The full DOT/TIN, including the date code, may appear on only one side of the tire. If the full code faces inward, use a flashlight and phone camera or ask a tire shop to inspect it safely.
How do I decipher a DOT code on tires?
For tires made in 2000 or later, use the final four numbers of the full DOT/TIN. Read them as WWYY: two digits for the production week and two digits for the year. A code ending in 3520 means the tire was made in the 35th week of 2020.
How can I tell how old my tires are by DOT number for free?
You can do it yourself for free by reading the date code on the sidewall. No paid decoder is required. Find the DOT/TIN, read the last four digits, and compare the week and year with the current date.
How do I read older tire date codes?
Older pre-2000 tires used a three-digit date-code format. Because those tires are now decades old, do not try to keep them in service. Replace any tire with an old three-digit date code instead of relying on its remaining tread.
Should I replace tires that still have good tread?
Sometimes, yes. Good tread does not cancel out age, sidewall cracks, bulges, internal damage, repeated air loss, vibration, recall status, or manufacturer age limits. Have older or questionable tires inspected by a trained tire professional.
Conclusion
The DOT/TIN date code gives you the tire’s manufacturing week and year, but it is only the starting point. Read the final four digits, check both sidewalls, inspect the tread and sidewalls, verify the spare, and check for recalls. If the tire is older, damaged, worn, or questionable, choose the safer option and have it inspected or replaced.
Sources
- NHTSA TireWise — DOT/TIN date-code basics, tire aging, tire inspection, spare tire guidance, and tire-related safety context.
- 49 CFR § 574.5 Tire identification requirements — federal date-code format for week and year of manufacture.
- Michelin: When to Replace Tires — five-year inspection guidance, 10-year replacement guidance, treadwear indicators, and damage signs.
- Bridgestone Tire Replacement Guidance — inspection after five years, replacement at 10 years, tread checks, and recall awareness.
- U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association Tire Facts — TIN explanation, tire age factors, monthly inspection, storage, and service-life context.
- NHTSA Tire Recall Search — official tool for checking tire safety recalls.
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