AllExperts > Experts 
Search      

Tires

Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Tires Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Tires
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Barry Smith
Expertise
I have over 30 years experience in the design, manufacturing, and testing of tires. I have served as the technical advisor to the "800" number. I have authored or co-authored many publications - usually without credit. I can answer almost any technical question, but please don`t ask me to compare brands. I have prejudices because of my work experience.

Experience
Member SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Member Tire Society (Tire Technical Organization) SCCA Regional Competiton License holder Authored many training manuals on tires, their care and use.
 
   

You are here:  Experts > Autos > Auto Parts > Tires > manufacture dates

Topic: Tires



Expert: Barry Smith
Date: 5/10/2008
Subject: manufacture dates

Question
How do you read "dates of manufacture" on Firestone and Goodyear tires?

Answer
Bill,

ALL tires are required by law to have a DOT number (It's also called the serial number).  It is between 10 to 12 digits long and it is located near the letters "DOT" and it only needs to be on one side of the tire - and that side might be towards the inside of the vehicle.

The regulation that covers tires, say the first 2 digits are the plant of manufacture.  The second 2 digits are the tire size (in a code).  The next 3 or 4 are a code that describes the exact type of tire.

And the last 3 or 4 digits are the date code in a week/week/year or a week/week/year/year format.

Tire produced 1998 and earlier will have 3 digits and tires produced after 2000 will have 4 digits.  Between 1999 and 200 there was a transition from 3 digits to 4.

So if the last 3 digits are 236, the tire was produced the 23rd week of 1996 (or 1986 or 1976), and if the last 4 digits are 1807, the tire was produced the 18th week of 2007.

Add to this Answer    Ask a Question



  Rate this Answer
   Was this answer helpful?
Not at allDefinitely              
   12345  

     
About Us | Advertise on This Site | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. About and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. The About logo is a trademark of About, Inc. All rights reserved.