How Old Are My Tires?
How to find the DOT date code on your tire sidewall and decode the week and year your tires were manufactured.
Reviewed by Faisal Mohammad
Licensed Automotive Service Technician · 22 years' experience
Key Takeaways
- ▸Find the letters 'DOT' on the sidewall, then read the last four digits.
- ▸First two digits = week of manufacture; last two = year (e.g. 1424 = 14th week of 2024).
- ▸Replace tires around 5–6 years from the manufacture date; treat 10 years as the absolute maximum.
- ▸A three-digit code means the tire predates 2000 — replace it immediately.
You can determine the age of a tire by finding the letters "DOT" on the sidewall. Following that DOT code is a sequence of characters, and the last four digits tell you exactly when the tire was built. The first two of those digits indicate the week of manufacture, and the last two indicate the year. For example, a code ending in 1424 means the tire was made in the 14th week of 2024.
Knowing your tire's age matters because rubber degrades over time even if the tread looks healthy. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tires around 5 to 6 years from the manufacture date, and many consider 10 years to be the absolute maximum service life regardless of appearance. This is especially important when buying "new" tires — occasionally old stock has been sitting on a shelf for years, so always check the date code before installation.
If you can only find a three-digit code rather than four, the tire was made before the year 2000 and should be replaced immediately — it is dangerously old. When in doubt, have a tire professional inspect the age and condition of your tires, particularly before a long road trip or the winter season.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1Find the letters 'DOT' on the tire sidewall, then read the last four digits.
- 2First two digits = week of manufacture; last two digits = year (e.g. 1424 = 14th week of 2024).
- 3Check the date code on brand-new tires too — old shelf stock does happen.
- 4Replace tires around 5–6 years from the manufacture date, even with good tread.
- 5Treat 10 years as the absolute maximum service life for any tire.
- 6A three-digit code means the tire predates 2000 — replace it immediately.
- 7Have a professional inspect tire age and condition before winter or a long trip.
Benefits of Proper Maintenance
- Avoid driving on dangerously aged rubber
- Spot old shelf stock before you buy
- Plan replacements before failure
- Safer grip and fewer blowouts
- Confidence before long trips and winter
Faisal Mohammad
Licensed Automotive Service Technician · 22 years' experience
Faisal Mohammad is a licensed Automotive Service Technician with 22 years of hands-on experience in the automotive industry. He has built, repaired, and serviced thousands of vehicles across tires, wheels, brakes, suspension, and diagnostics, and reviews the tire and automotive guides published by Limitless Tire for technical accuracy.
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