To find your tires age, you need to locate the DOT Date Code on the tire. On tires that were manufactured in 2000 and after, the last four digits indicate the week and year the tire was produced. The first two digits identify the week and the second two identify the year.

Do all tires have date codes?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number stamped on the tires sidewall contains a date code that identifies the age of your tires. Tires built from 2000 to the present use the last four-digits of the DOT number to identify the week and year of manufacture.

How do you know when a tire is expired?

Its typically a 10- or 11-character DOT (Department of Transportation) code, near the DOT stamp, embossed on the sidewall of the tire. Check the last four digits. The last two refer to the year the tire was manufactured, the first two (of the four) represent the week number.

How do you read old tire date codes?

The first two digits of the date code tell you the week that the tires were built, and the last digit tells you the year. For example, a date code such as 306 would let you know that the tire was built in the 30th week of a year ending in 6.

What does 120 load index mean on tires?

Light truck tires have two load indexes on the sidewall of the tire, unlike passenger tires, which only have one. For example, a light truck tire with a load index of 120/116 means a load capacity for a single tire of 3,086 pounds and a load capacity of 2,756 pounds for two tires.

What is the maximum tire age?

Some tire manufacturers cite 6 years, others recommend 10 years as the maximum service life for tires. tire identification number (TIN). The last four digits are the week and year of manufacture. Some older tires may have the TIN on the inside sidewall.

How long do tires last if not used?

6-10 years If not used, tires last for 6-10 years, depending on the storage and environmental conditions. Overall, the time limits for stored tires are much the same as for tires that are being used.

How do you read a 3 digit tire date code?

The first two digits of the code represent the week of production during the year (from 1 to 52). The second two digits represent the year of manufacture. If your DOT code is a 3-digit number, it means your tire was produced before 2000.

Whats better load range D or E?

For a given brand and size tire, the load range E has a higher maximum load capacity than the load range D. The E tire is built and rated for 80 psig, while the D tire is (as I recall) built and rated for 65 psig maximum inflation pressure.

Is Load Index 121 a 10 ply tire?

Therefore load range simply tells how tough the tire is and the allowable PSI. For example, an “E” load range indicates that a tire is equivalent to a 10-ply construction tire. In realitly, this tire is not built with 10 plies, but rather one or two plies of equivalent strength.

What happens to tires after 10 years?

An analysis of the used tire revealed that it was nearly 10 years old. The California Highway Patrol noted that the tires age might have compromised their drivability and handling characteristics, according to the Los Angeles Times. The older a tire gets, the higher the risk of sudden and unexpected tread separation.

Can tires last 10 years?

There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left.

Is it OK to replace two tires at a time?

If you are looking to replace all-wheel drive tires, we recommend replacing all four at once. While it may be tempting to replace only two at a time, mixing new and worn tires can create a size difference from front to back, which can lead to damage to your vehicle.