Tire age & DOT date code guide
What is the tire DOT date code?
Every tire sold in the USA must carry a DOT code on its sidewall. The last four digits indicate the week and year of manufacture: the first two digits are the week (01–52) and the last two are the year. Example: DOT ✕✕✕✕ 2318 → week 23 of 2018. Most tyre manufacturers and safety bodies (NHTSA, ETRTO) recommend replacing tyres older than 6–10 years regardless of tread depth.
- Every tire sold in the USA must carry a DOT code on its sidewall.
- The last four digits indicate the week and year of manufacture: the first two digits are the week (01–52) and the last two are the year.
- Example: DOT ✕✕✕✕ 2318 → week 23 of 2018.
FAQ
- What is the tire DOT date code?
- Every tire sold in the USA must carry a DOT code on its sidewall. The last four digits indicate the week and year of manufacture: the first two digits are the week (01–52) and the last two are the year. Example: DOT ✕✕✕✕ 2318 → week 23 of 2018. Most tyre manufacturers and safety bodies (NHTSA, ETRTO) recommend replacing tyres older than 6–10 years regardless of tread depth.
- What should I verify before using this information?
- Use TireFitLab values as a sizing reference, then verify the vehicle handbook, tire placard, rim compatibility, load rating, and physical clearance before fitting.
Enter the 4-digit DOT date code from your tyre sidewall — the week and year it was made.
Where to find the DOT code
The DOT code is moulded into the sidewall of the tyre, usually on the inner sidewall (facing the vehicle). Look for the letters DOT followed by a string of letters and numbers. The last four digits are the date code. Example:
DOT U2LL LMLR 2318
→ manufactured in week 23 of 2018.
DOT date code examples
| Last 4 digits | Week | Year | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2318 | 23 | 2018 | Week 23 of 2018 (approx. June 2018) |
| 0421 | 04 | 2021 | Week 4 of 2021 (approx. January 2021) |
| 5223 | 52 | 2023 | Week 52 of 2023 (approx. December 2023) |
Tire age replacement guide
| Age | Condition | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| < 5 years | New / like new | Normal use. |
| 5–6 years | Inspect annually | Check for sidewall cracking, tread depth ≥ 1.6 mm. |
| 6–10 years | Replace recommended | Most manufacturers recommend replacement regardless of tread. |
| > 10 years | Replace immediately | Rubber degrades; unsafe even with full tread depth. |
What causes old tires to fail?
- Oxidation — rubber reacts with oxygen and UV over time, causing the polymer chains to harden and crack.
- Ozone cracking — visible as fine surface cracks on the sidewall or between tread blocks. Accelerated by heat, UV exposure, and ozone.
- Belt separation — the steel or fabric carcass can delaminate from the tread in aged tires, causing sudden blowout.
Pre-2000 tires: 3-digit date codes
Tires made before 2000 used a three-digit code: first two digits = week, third digit = year of the decade (e.g., 234 = week 23 of 1994 or 1984). These tires should be replaced immediately regardless of appearance.
More tools
Seasonal check
Planning a long summer drive?
Use the budget and running-cost tools before a trip, especially if the current tyres are worn or the replacement size changes diameter.
What changed
- Reviewed deterministic geometry, load/speed references, sitemap inclusion and localized page shell.