Where is the DOT code and how do I read it?
- The DOT code is the string of letters and digits after "DOT" on the sidewall; the production date is the last four digits of this string.
- The first two digits show the production week (01-53), the last two the year. 0819 means week 8 of 2019.
- The date is often printed on only one sidewall; if you cannot see it, check the other side.
- Before 2000 a three-digit code was used; such tires are long past their service life today.
Why does tire age matter?
Even when unused, tire rubber hardens over time under the effect of oxygen, heat and sunlight and loses its elasticity. Grip decreases and cracks can appear on the sidewall and in the tread grooves. A tire with sufficient tread depth can still be a risk because of its age.