How Old Are My Tires? Reading the DOT Date Code
The last four digits of the DOT code on the tire sidewall show when it was made: 2324 means the 23rd week of 2024. Rubber ages even when the tread looks fine, so many vehicle and tire makers recommend a yearly inspection once a tire is about five years old and replacement at six to ten years, whatever the tread depth. There is no federal age limit, so follow your manufacturer's guidance.
Reading the date
| Last four digits | Made in |
|---|---|
| 0819 | Week 8 of 2019 |
| 4522 | Week 45 of 2022 |
| 2324 | Week 23 of 2024 |
Tires made before 2000 used a three-digit code. Any tire that old should be replaced.
Why age matters in California
Heat and UV light speed up rubber aging. Cars parked outside in inland California, the Central Valley and desert areas see faster sidewall cracking than cars kept in a garage on the coast.
Checklist
- Check the date codes on all four tires and the spare.
- From about five years old, have the tires inspected yearly.
- Replace tires with visible cracking, bulges or tread separation immediately.
- Check tread depth too: the penny test.
Find a tire shop
- Tire shops in Los Angeles — 1 listing
- Tire shops in Oakland — 1 listing
- Tire shops in San Francisco — 1 listing
- Tire shops in San Jose — 1 listing
- Tire shops in Santa Clara — 1 listing
- Tire shops in Sunnyvale — 1 listing
Frequently asked questions
Where is the DOT code on a tire?
On the sidewall, starting with the letters DOT. The full code with the date may be printed on only one side of the tire, sometimes the side facing the car.
Is it safe to buy a tire that is a year or two old?
A new, unused tire that has been stored properly is generally fine if it is a year or two old. Ask for the date code before you buy, and avoid "new" tires that are already several years old.
Do spare tires expire?
They age like any tire, even unused. Check the date code on your spare; an old spare may have cracked rubber and low pressure when you need it.
What are signs of an aged tire?
Small cracks in the sidewall or between tread blocks, a hard or shiny surface, and bulges. Tires in hot, sunny climates age faster.
Related guides
- When to Replace Tires: Tread Depth, the Penny Test and California Law — California's legal minimum is 1/32 inch, but wet grip fades long before. The penny and quarter tests, wear bars and other reasons to replace.
- How to Read a Tire Size: What 225/65R17 98H Means — A plain guide to the numbers on your tire sidewall: width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter, load index, speed rating, DOT code and the UTQG rating.
- How Much Does It Cost to Install New Tires? Mounting, Balancing and Extras — What a tire installation includes, the extra line items to expect (valve stems, TPMS service, disposal, state tire fee), and how to compare quotes.