How to read the tire date code
The last four digits of the tire identification number (TIN) show the week and the year that the manufacturer made the tire. The first two digits are the week and the last two digits are the year.
Find the TIN
- Find the letters DOT on the sidewall. The TIN is next to these letters.1
- Read the last four digits of the TIN.
- If you see only part of a TIN, look at the other sidewall. The full TIN can be on one sidewall only.23
Read the four digits
The first two digits are the week of the year. The last two digits are the last two digits of the year.4 NHTSA gives this example: 0308 shows the third week of 2008.3
| Date code | Week | Year |
|---|---|---|
| 0109 | 1 (the first full calendar week) | 2009 4 |
| 0308 | 3 | 2008 3 |
| 2319 | 23 | 2019 |
| 5224 | 52 | 2024 |
The other parts of the TIN
- The plant code has three symbols. It shows the identity of the tire manufacturer. NHTSA gives each plant code.5
- The manufacturer's code has six symbols. The manufacturer can use it to show tire features or the brand name owner.6
- The date code has four digits. It is the last group of the TIN.4
Until April 13, 2025, a manufacturer had permission to use an older two-symbol plant code.7 For this reason, a TIN on an older tire can be shorter.
Tires made before 2000
Before 2000, the date code had three digits. The first two digits showed the week and the last digit showed the year.8 Continental tells you that tires from the 1990s have a triangle symbol at the end of the DOT number.8
Tire age
NHTSA does not give an age limit for tires. NHTSA tells you that some vehicle and tire manufacturers say to replace tires that are six to 10 years old. This applies also if the tread is not worn.9 As tires age, they are more likely to fail.9 Read the instructions from your vehicle manufacturer and your tire manufacturer.