Where Is the Year on a Tire? Finding & Reading the DOT Code

You can tell the year of a tire by reading the DOT Tire Identification Number on the sidewall. On tires made in 2000 or later, the date code is the final four digits of the full DOT/TIN marking. The first two digits show the production week, and the last two digits show the year. For example, 2519 means the tire was made in the 25th week of 2019.

What the DOT Tire Code Means

The DOT code, also called the Tire Identification Number or TIN, is a sidewall marking used to identify the tire. Under 49 CFR Part 574, the date code is the final group of the TIN and uses four numerical symbols to identify the week and year of manufacture.

For tires made in 2000 or later, the date code works like this:

• First two digits: week of the year
• Last two digits: last two digits of the manufacturing year
• Example: 2519 means the tire was made in week 25 of 2019

This code matters because tire age affects safety checks, recall tracking, and replacement decisions. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association says tire registration uses the DOT TIN so manufacturers can contact owners if a recall affects their tires.

How to Decode the Full DOT/TIN

The date code is only one part of the full DOT/TIN. You do not need to decode every symbol to find the tire’s age, but knowing the structure helps you avoid reading the wrong sidewall marking.

For age checks, skip tire size markings such as 225/65R17, load index numbers, speed ratings, UTQG grades, and maximum pressure text. Those markings do not tell you the manufacturing year.

Where to Find the Tire Date Code

Start on the tire sidewall and look for the letters DOT. The full code may sit in a long oval or raised sidewall marking. On many tires, the complete TIN appears on only one sidewall, while the opposite side may show a shorter partial code.

If you cannot find the final four digits, check the other side of the tire. On a tire mounted on your vehicle, the full code may face inward. Use a flashlight, clean dirt from the sidewall with a cloth, and rotate the tire if it is off the vehicle.

How to Read a Tire Date Code

To read a tire date code, focus on the final four digits of the full DOT/TIN marking. Break those four digits into two pairs. The first pair gives the production week, and the second pair gives the manufacturing year.

A valid modern tire date code uses a real week number, usually 01 through 52 or 53 depending on the calendar year. A code that appears to show week 00 or week 99 is not a valid manufacturing week, so recheck the marking or ask a tire professional to inspect it.

How to Estimate Tire Age After You Read the Code

After you decode the week and year, compare that date with the current date. A tire marked 2519 was made around the middle of 2019. A tire marked 4722 was made near the end of 2022. You do not need the exact day for a normal age check because the DOT code gives you the manufacturing week and year.

Use tire age as one part of your decision. A newer tire can still be unsafe if it has impact damage, puncture damage, sidewall cracks, uneven wear, or a history of underinflation. An older tire may look clean but still need replacement because tire aging can affect the rubber and internal materials.

Tires Made Since 2000

Most tires you inspect today should have a four-digit DOT date code. This format makes the manufacturing year easy to confirm. Once you find the full DOT/TIN marking, read the final four digits from left to right.

Locate the Date Code

Look after the DOT marking and follow the full Tire Identification Number to the end. The date code is the final four-number group. If you see a partial DOT code with no date at the end, look on the other sidewall.

Read Week and Year

Break the four digits into two pairs. The first pair is the week. The second pair is the year. For example, 4722 means the tire was made in the 47th week of 2022. You do not need to calculate the exact calendar day for most safety checks; the week and year are enough to estimate age.

Understand Sidewall Placement

The complete TIN may not appear on both sides of the tire. If the date code faces inward, you may need to inspect from under the vehicle, turn the steering wheel for better access, or ask a tire shop to check it during service.

Tires Made Before 2000

Some older tires made before 2000 used a three-digit date code. The first two digits show the production week, and the final digit shows a year-ending number. For example, 408 means week 40 of a year ending in 8. It does not reliably prove the full decade by itself.

If you find only a three-digit date code on a tire, treat the tire as too old for normal driving. Even if the tread looks deep, a pre-2000 tire has aged far beyond a reasonable service window for regular road use.

Pre-2000 Date Codes

A pre-2000 code gives less detail than a modern four-digit code. It may also be harder to read because older rubber can be cracked, dirty, faded, or worn. Do not rely on a three-digit date code to make a tire seem safe.

Week and Year Format

Decade Identification Limits

A three-digit code does not give the same certainty as a modern four-digit date code. Some older tires used extra marks to help identify the decade, but you should not depend on that for safety. If the tire has only a three-digit date code, replace it instead of trying to keep it in service.

Why Tire Age Matters

Tire age matters because rubber and internal materials change over time. Heat, sunlight, storage conditions, low use, poor maintenance, and climate can all affect aging. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that you cannot detect tire aging simply by looking at a tire.

That is why the DOT date code is useful. It gives you a starting point for judging age, but you still need to check tread depth, air pressure, sidewall condition, and driving behavior. A tire can be too old even if the tread still looks usable.

NHTSA reported 511 traffic fatalities in tire-related crashes in 2024. Tire age, inflation, tread depth, and visible damage all deserve regular attention.

When to Replace Old Tires

Replace a tire immediately if you see sidewall cracks, bulges, exposed cords, tread separation, deep cuts, or repeated pressure loss. You should also replace a tire if a tire professional says the casing is unsafe, even when the tread still looks acceptable.

For age alone, follow your vehicle owner’s manual and tire manufacturer guidance. NHTSA says some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, regardless of treadwear. If a tire is more than 10 years from its manufacturing date, you should treat it as a strong replacement candidate unless the tire maker gives different guidance for that specific tire and use case.

Do not forget the spare. Spare tires age even when they rarely touch the road. A full-size spare should not become a long-term replacement for worn tires, and a compact spare should be used only as your vehicle manual allows.

Used Tires, Stored Tires, and New Old Stock

Be extra careful with used tires and tires that sat in storage for years. The DOT date tells you when the tire was manufactured, but it does not tell you how the tire was stored, whether it was overloaded, whether it ran underinflated, or whether it suffered impact damage.

If you are buying used tires, read the DOT date on each tire before paying. Avoid any tire with a missing date code, sidewall cracking, exposed cords, repairs near the sidewall, uneven wear, bulges, or unknown damage history. If a tire is sold as “new” but the DOT date is several years old, ask the seller about storage conditions, warranty coverage, and the tire maker’s age guidance before installation.

What if the Date Code Is Missing or Hard to Read?

If you cannot find the date code, do not assume the tire is new. First, clean the sidewall and check both sides of the tire. The full TIN may face inward. If the tire is mounted and you cannot see the inner side clearly, ask a tire shop to read it during a rotation, inspection, or pressure check.

If the marking is worn away, damaged, or missing, treat the tire as suspicious. A tire with no readable manufacturing date gives you no reliable way to confirm age. That matters most for used tires, spare tires, trailers, RVs, collector cars, and vehicles that sit for long periods.

How to Check All Tires and the Spare

1. Park safely: Choose a flat area with good lighting.
2. Find the DOT marking: Start on the outer sidewall, then check the inner side if needed.
3. Read the final four digits: Use the first two digits for the week and the last two for the year.
4. Write down each date: Check all four tires and the spare because they may not match.
5. Inspect condition: Look for cracks, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, exposed cords, and pressure loss.
6. Get help when unsure: Ask a qualified tire professional if the code is unclear or the tire shows damage.

Tire Recalls and Registration

The DOT/TIN also helps with recall tracking. When you register new tires, the manufacturer can contact you if a recall affects your tire model or production batch. USTMA says you need your contact information and the DOT Tire Identification Number to register tires.

You can also use the NHTSA recalls page to search for tire recalls and safety information. If you find a recall, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and do not ignore interim safety guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

You can find the year of your tire by locating the DOT/TIN marking on the sidewall and reading the final four digits. The first two digits show the manufacturing week, and the last two digits show the year. A code ending in 2519 means the tire was made in the 25th week of 2019.

Use the date code as a safety starting point, not the only decision. Check all tires and the spare, look for damage, follow your vehicle and tire manufacturer guidance, register new tires for recall support, and replace old or damaged tires before they become a roadside risk.

Sources

1. GovInfo — 49 CFR Part 574 Tire Identification and Recordkeeping — backs up the DOT/TIN date-code structure, week digits, and year digits.
2. NHTSA TireWise — backs up tire aging, inspection guidance, tread safety, pressure checks, spare tire guidance, and 2024 tire-related fatality data.
3. U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association — Tire Registration — backs up the role of DOT TINs in tire registration and recall notification.
4. NHTSA Recalls — official recall lookup resource for vehicles, tires, car seats, and equipment.