How to Read a Tire's DOT Date Code
Can't find the number? We show you where to look below.
Even a tire that's never been used ages over time, so it's worth checking the production date before you buy. It's easy: just read the 4 digits on the sidewall.
- The production date is the 4 digits in the oval at the end of the DOT code on the sidewall
- The first two are the week and the last two are the year, so 2526 means mid-June 2026
- An unused tire that's been stored well still counts as new up to 5 years old
- Replace tires at 10 years, even if there's tread left
- The date on the sticker isn't the production date, so always check the sidewall
What the DOT code is and where to find it
Tires made to standard have a DOT code molded into the sidewall. The part you need is the 4 digits in the oval at the end of the code.
- It's on the sidewall, the side of the tire, not the tread that touches the road
- The digits are black like the rubber. We made them white in the picture so they're easy to see. On a real tire, look at an angle or use your phone's flashlight
- Can't find it? Check the other sidewall. Some tires have the full code on one side only
The sticker trips up a lot of our customers. The week and year on a tire's sticker are only an example of how to read a DOT code, not that tire's production date. The real date is the one molded on the sidewall.
Reading the 4 digits: week, then year
For example, 2526 means the tire was made around mid-June 2026.
More examples
Here's what it looks like on real tires, photographed at our store with an ordinary phone.
How old can a tire be and still count as new?
Tire age counts from the production date, not the day you buy it.
| Up to 5 years | Still counts as new if unused and stored well |
|---|---|
| Over 5 years | Inspect it before use |
| From 6 years | If it has never been used, don't fit it |
| 10 years | Replace it, even if there's tread left |
Why tires from earlier production years cost less
The earlier-year tires we sell are new tires from a factory quota, which is why they cost less than current-year tires.
- They've never been used, and stored properly they have years of life ahead
- Same warranty as current-year tires, under the same terms
See our new tires from earlier production years at special prices (factory quota).
Checklist before you buy
- Ask for the production year before you pay, especially when buying online
- When the tires are fitted, check the DOT code on the sidewall, not the sticker
- All 4 tires should have similar production dates
- Don't forget the spare. One that came with the car 8 years ago is an 8-year-old tire
- Stored tires should be kept in the shade, away from sunlight and oil. Age still counts from the production date
- If there are only 3 digits, the tire was made before 2000 and is too old to use
We show the production year of every tire before you order. New to buying tires here? Read our guide to buying tires in Thailand.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the date code on a tire?
On the sidewall, at the end of a code that starts with the letters DOT. The last 4 digits, usually in an oval, are the production date. Some tires have the full code on one side only, so check the other sidewall if you can't find it.
Is the date on the tire sticker the production date?
No. The week and year on the sticker are only an example of how to read a DOT code. They aren't that tire's production date. Always read the 4 digits molded on the sidewall.
How do I read the DOT date code?
The first two digits are the week and the last two are the year. 2526 means the 25th week of 2026, around mid-June 2026.
Is a tire made last year still a new tire?
Yes. An unused tire that has been stored properly is a new tire. Continental states that tires stored properly can be sold as new up to 5 years old.
How old is too old for a tire?
The British Rubber Manufacturers' Association advises against fitting unused tires that are 6 years old or more, and manufacturers recommend replacing tires 10 years after the production date, regardless of tread depth.
Should all four tires have the same date code?
They can differ by a few weeks because tires come off the production line at different times, but they shouldn't differ by years. If one tire is several years older than the others, ask the shop.
How can I check the production year when buying online?
Buy from a store that shows the production year on the product page, then check the DOT code on the actual tires when they are fitted. We show the production year of every tire on our product pages.