How to Tell the Year a Tire Was Made: DOT Date Code Guide
You can tell when a tire was made by reading the DOT Tire Identification Number, often called the TIN, on the tire sidewall. The key part is the date code at the end. On modern tires, the last four numbers show the production week and year, so you can quickly judge tire age before buying, mounting, or driving on a tire.
Quick Answer
Find the DOT/TIN code on the tire sidewall and read the final four digits. The first two digits show the week of manufacture, and the last two show the year. For example, 1023 means the tire was made in the 10th week of 2023.
Key Takeaways
- The tire date code is at the end of the DOT Tire Identification Number on the sidewall.
- On modern tires, the last four digits use a week-year format: WWYY.
- 1023 means the tire was made in the 10th week of 2023; 2714 means the 27th week of 2014.
- The full date code may appear on only one sidewall, so check both sides of the tire.
- A genuine three-digit date code points to a pre-2000 tire, which is far beyond normal road-use age.
- Age is only one safety factor. Also check tread depth, cracking, pressure, damage, recalls, and your vehicle or tire manufacturer’s replacement guidance.
At a Glance
| Time Required | 1–3 minutes per tire |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Tools Needed | Flashlight, clean cloth, and phone camera if the code is hard to see |
| Cost | Free |
Find the DOT Number on Your Tire
Start by looking for the letters DOT molded into the tire sidewall. The code that follows is the tire’s identification number. In the United States, current new tires use a 13-symbol Tire Identification Number under 49 CFR § 574.5, although older tires may show older formats.
The date code is the final group in the TIN. On modern tires, it is four numbers long. The first two numbers show the week of the year, and the final two numbers show the year of manufacture.
Pro Tip: If you see DOT letters but not a four-digit date code, check the other side of the tire. The full TIN may appear on only one sidewall, especially when one side shows only a partial DOT code.
Wipe away dust, mud, or tire dressing so you can read the molded characters clearly. A flashlight helps if the code is on the inner sidewall or near the rim. If you still cannot find the complete code, ask a tire shop to inspect it before you buy or drive on the tire.
[Products Worth Considering]
These aluminum alloy tire valve caps help protect valve stems from road damage during everyday driving and long-term use. The hexagon, stylish design adds a clean look while fitting most cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and bicycles. Easy hand installation and periodic inspection help prevent slow air leaks and reduce risk of TPMS sensor wear.
These universal aluminum tire valve stem caps help protect valve cores from corrosion caused by dirt, water, and snow while helping prevent air leaks to maintain steady tire pressure. They’re easy to install with a simple screw-on fit and are suitable for cars, SUVs, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles, and other vehicles. The stylish black caps add a clean, standout look to your wheels while supporting reliable long-term performance.
These AQUAOK tire valve stem caps feature an anti-corrosion design with a metal body and plastic liner to help prevent sticking from corrosion and chemical damage. They offer universal fit for Schrader-style valve stems and are easy to hand tighten and remove. The anodized alloy caps include laser-etched logo styling for a clean, upgraded look on cars, SUVs, bikes, and more.
What a DOT Tire Date Code Means
A DOT tire date code tells you when the tire was manufactured. For tires made in 2000 or later, read the last four digits as WWYY:
- WW = week of the year
- YY = last two digits of the year
For example, a tire code ending in 1023 means the tire was made in the 10th week of 2023. A code ending in 2714 means the tire was made in the 27th week of 2014. The official federal date-code rule uses the first full calendar week of the year as week 01 and identifies the year with the final two digits.
| Example date code | Meaning | Plain-English reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1023 | Week 10, year 2023 | Made in early March 2023 |
| 0109 | Week 01, year 2009 | Made in the first full week of 2009 |
| 2714 | Week 27, year 2014 | Made around mid-2014 |
How to Read Tire Date Codes
Use this simple process to read a tire date code without guessing:
- Find the DOT/TIN code. Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT. Check both sidewalls if the first side does not show the complete code.
- Go to the final group. On modern tires, the date code is the last four numbers in the tire identification number.
- Split the four digits in half. The first two digits are the week. The last two digits are the year.
- Compare it with today’s date. That tells you the tire’s age from its manufacture date.
- Check condition, not age alone. Look for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, low tread, and signs of impact damage.
Note: Tire age starts from the manufacturing date, not the day you bought the tire. A tire can sit in storage before sale, so always check the date code when buying new or used tires.
The NHTSA Tire Buyers’ FAQ recommends checking the date when buying tires and knowing your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended replacement timeframe. That matters because age, tread depth, pressure, load, heat, storage, and driving conditions all affect how safe a tire is.
Spot Pre-2000 Tire Date Codes
If the date code has only three digits, you are likely looking at a tire made before 2000. In that older system, the first two digits show the production week, and the final digit shows the year within the decade.
For example, 229 means the tire was made in the 22nd week of a year ending in 9. That could mean 1999, 1989, or another earlier decade, depending on the tire. Some 1990s tires also used a small triangle mark after the date code to help identify the decade.
Warning: A genuine three-digit tire date code means the tire is now more than 25 years old. Do not treat good-looking tread as proof that it is safe for normal road use. Have it replaced before driving.
Why Tire Age Matters for Safety
Tire age matters because rubber compounds, internal materials, and bonding can degrade over time. A tire can look usable from the outside and still be weakened by age, heat, sunlight, ozone, storage conditions, underinflation, or long periods of sitting.
Check the DOT date code, but do not stop there. Tire age, tread depth, pressure, cracking, damage, and manufacturer guidance all matter.
As a general rule, have tires inspected by a trained tire professional once they have been in service for about five years. Michelin recommends replacing tires ten years after the manufacture date as a precaution, even if tread remains, and that guidance includes spare tires. Continental also advises that tires more than ten years old should be removed from service and replaced.
Some vehicle or tire manufacturers may recommend a shorter service period, so check your owner’s manual and tire warranty information. If the tire is cracked, bulging, punctured in an unsafe area, worn to the treadwear bars, repeatedly losing pressure, or damaged from impact, replace it sooner no matter what the date code says.
[Products Worth Considering]
These oil-based permanent paint pens use quick-dry, waterproof ink for clean, lasting marks across many craft and DIY surfaces. The medium round nib delivers smooth, precise application for detailed writing, painting, and labeling. Each marker is individually packaged to help prevent leakage during shipping or storage.
The AstroAI L7 Mini tire inflator delivers fast, reliable inflation with a 5+4 smart inflation system, including preset modes for car, motorcycle, bicycle, ball, and custom pressure. A true gauge smart screen and advanced sensor provide accurate pressure readings to help prevent overinflation or low-pressure risk. Built-in 3-mode flashlight (flashlight, strobe, SOS) adds safety for roadside emergencies, while auto shut-off and long-lasting battery performance support repeated inflations.
The AstroAI 2 pack air chucks provide a heavy-duty, closed-flow locking design that helps keep air flowing during inflation while securely attaching to the valve stem. Built with 250 PSI rated brass components and compatible with Schrader valves, they feature 1/4" female NPT threads for a wide fit with common inflators. The straight tip and locking clip make filling tires and monitoring pressure more convenient.
What to Check Besides the Date Code
The DOT date code is only one part of a tire safety check. Before a long trip, before buying used tires, or before mounting old spares, check these items too:
- Tread depth: Replace tires that are at or below the legal minimum, and consider earlier replacement for wet or winter driving.
- Sidewall cracks: Fine weather-checking can signal age; deep cracks are a stronger warning sign.
- Bulges or bubbles: These can point to internal damage and should be inspected immediately.
- Uneven wear: Feathering, cupping, or one-sided wear can point to alignment, suspension, rotation, or inflation problems.
- Cold tire pressure: Use the pressure on the vehicle placard or owner’s manual, not the maximum pressure molded on the tire sidewall.
- Recalls: Use the full TIN to check tire recalls through NHTSA TireWise.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell tire age from the DOT number?
Find the DOT Tire Identification Number on the sidewall and read the final four digits. The first two digits show the production week, and the last two digits show the production year. For example, 1023 means the tire was made in the 10th week of 2023.
How do you read a 3-digit DOT tire date code?
A three-digit date code is an older pre-2000 format. The first two digits show the week, and the final digit shows the year within the decade. Because any genuine three-digit tire date code is now very old, the tire should be replaced rather than used for normal driving.
What if I can only find DOT letters but no date code?
Check the other sidewall. Many tires show a partial DOT/TIN on one side and the complete code with the date on the other side. If the tire is mounted and the full code is on the inner sidewall, use a flashlight or ask a tire shop to inspect it safely.
Is a 6-year-old tire unsafe?
Not automatically, but it deserves a careful inspection. Many tire makers recommend professional inspections after about five years of service and replacement by ten years from the manufacture date. Always follow the shorter limit if your vehicle or tire manufacturer gives one.
Do spare tires have date codes too?
Yes. Spare tires also have DOT/TIN markings, and they age even if they are rarely used. Check the spare’s date code, pressure, sidewall condition, and tread before relying on it in an emergency.
Can a tire be too old even if the tread looks good?
Yes. Tread depth does not show everything happening inside the tire. Age, heat, storage, cracking, underinflation, load, and internal damage can all affect safety. If the tire is old or questionable, have it inspected by a tire professional.
Conclusion
Reading a tire date code is simple once you know where to look. Find the DOT/TIN on the sidewall, read the final four digits, and split them into week and year. A code like 1023 means week 10 of 2023. If you see a three-digit date code, treat the tire as pre-2000 and replace it before driving.
The date code gives you a clear manufacturing timestamp, but it is not the whole safety story. Check tread depth, pressure, cracking, damage, recalls, and the guidance from your tire and vehicle manufacturer. When in doubt, have the tire inspected before you trust it on the road.
Sources
- 49 CFR § 574.5 — Tire identification requirements — supports current TIN structure and date-code format.
- NHTSA Tire Buyers’ FAQ — supports checking the last four digits and looking on both sidewalls.
- NHTSA TireWise — supports tire safety, maintenance, labeling, aging, and recall guidance.
- Michelin: When to Replace Tires — supports inspection after five years and replacement by ten years from manufacture date.
- Continental: Replacing Tires — supports DOT age checking, pre-2000 code context, and ten-year replacement guidance.
[Products Worth Considering]
AstroAI AIRUN H is a compact 12V tire inflator designed for fast, convenient inflation with an easy-to-read digital pressure gauge. Set your target pressure with programmable controls and let the auto shut-off turn off the pump when the preset is reached. It also includes a backlit screen and LED flashlight for nighttime use, with a ToughUltra durability design for longer service life.
Get quick, reliable tire readings with a backlit digital gauge that seals easily to valve stems for accurate 0.1 increments. Switch units on demand and check pressure on cars, trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles using the included Presta-to-Schrader adapter. The gauge powers with AAA batteries and automatically shuts off to help save battery life.
This calibrated digital tire pressure gauge delivers accurate readings within plus-minus 1 PSI for reliable tire maintenance. It features an illuminated nozzle and backlit LCD display to measure easily in dim areas, and offers four selectable units for versatile use. Automatic shutdown after 30 seconds helps conserve battery life for everyday convenience.
Related Articles
Tires With Exposed Cords: How Long Can You Drive?
Warning: tires with exposed cords can fail at any moment, and what you do next could save you from a dangerous blowout.
Read More
Driving With Mismatched Tires: Is It Safe?
Bald mismatched tires can affect grip and drivability—discover when it’s risky, what to match, and whether your vehicle can handle it safely.
Read More
How Long Does a Tire Plug Take to Dry? Safe Wait Times
Longer than you think, a tire plug’s dry time can make or break your safety—discover the safest wait before driving.
Read More