Is There a Date Stamp on Tires?

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number stamped on the tire's 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.

Where is the date stamp on a tire?

To read the date on a tire, look near the edge of the rim for a series of characters starting with the letters DOT. This is the Department of Transportation (DOT) code, which indicates that the tire has passed all minimum DOT standards for sale in the United States.

How many years do tires expire?

Most manufacturers recommend tire replacement at seven years, and it's best to go by that. So, in the rare case that your tires stay intact for almost a decade without showing any signs of aging, just go out and purchase new ones at that point. Don't wait for a tire to burst while you're driving on the highway.