Tire date code: how old are my tires?
The tire date code is the last 4 digits of the DOT number on the sidewall: the first 2 are the week and the last 2 are the year the tire was made. A tire stamped 2419 was made in week 24 of 2019, which is June 16–22, 2019. Enter your code in the calculator to see the tire’s age today in years and months.
On this page (8 sections)
Where to find the date code
Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT followed by a string of letters and numbers. This is the Tire Identification Number (TIN). The date code is the last group of 4 digits, often in a small oval or box at the end.
- Federal rules require the full number on only one sidewall of a new tire. If you don’t see it, look at the other side; it may face the inside of the wheel.
- A flashlight helps. You may need to turn the steering wheel, or roll the car a little, to see the inside of a front tire.
- The other parts of the DOT number name the factory and the tire’s size and type. You don’t need them to find the age.
How to read it: week and year
Under the federal rule (49 CFR 574.5), the date code has 4 digits. The first 2 are the week of the year and the last 2 are the year. Week 01 is the first full week of the year, and each week runs from Sunday through Saturday.
| Date code | Made in | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 0109 | Week 1 of 2009 | January 4–10, 2009 |
| 5216 | Week 52 of 2016 | December 25–31, 2016 |
| 2419 | Week 24 of 2019 | June 16–22, 2019 |
| 1020 | Week 10 of 2020 | March 8–14, 2020 |
| 4521 | Week 45 of 2021 | November 7–13, 2021 |
| 3023 | Week 30 of 2023 | July 23–29, 2023 |
The 0109 example (January 4–10, 2009) is the one in the federal rule. Dates follow the rule’s Sunday-to-Saturday weeks.
The calculator does the same math and shows the tire’s age today in years and months.
Old 3-digit codes (before 2000)
Before 2000, the date code had only 3 digits: 2 for the week and 1 for the year. A tire marked 258 was made in week 25 of a year ending in 8, so 1988 or 1998. Some tires from the 1990s, Continental’s among them, have a small triangle (◄) after the code to mark the decade. NHTSA added the fourth digit in a rule that took effect July 2, 2000, because no one could tell which decade a tire came from.
If your tire has a 3-digit code, it is more than 25 years old. That includes many trailer, RV, and classic car tires that sit for years.
How old is too old? What tire and carmakers say
The age advice comes from the companies that make tires and cars. NHTSA, the federal safety agency, says on its tire safety page that some vehicle and tire makers recommend replacing tires that are 6 to 10 years old, regardless of tread wear. Here is what they say:
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Michelin | After 5 years in service, have tires checked by a trained tire professional at least once a year. Replace tires 10 years after the date they were made, spares included. |
| Continental | Replace tires made more than 10 years ago, spares included, even if they look fine. Follow your vehicle maker if it gives a different age. |
| Bridgestone | After 5 years, have a tire shop inspect them. Replace tires 10 years after they were made, spares included, even if they look new. |
| Some vehicle makers | 6 years. For example, Ford’s 2013 Escape owner’s manual says tires should generally be replaced after 6 years, whatever the tread, and sooner in hot climates or with frequent heavy loads. |
These are the makers’ recommendations, not laws. Your owner’s manual, in the tires section, has the age your vehicle maker recommends.
So the calculator flags two points: 6 years, when it is time to check your owner’s manual and have the tires looked at, and 10 years, the limit the big tire makers name. Age is only one test. Tread depth and damage matter as much, and most tires wear out before they age out. See how long tires last for the tread checks.
Spare tires and tires that look new
A spare that has never touched the road still ages. Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone all include spares in their 10-year advice. The same goes for tires on a car or trailer that is rarely driven: the rubber ages with time, not only with miles. Cracks on the sidewall or between the tread blocks are a sign to have a tire shop look at it.
When you buy tires, you can read the date code on each one before it goes on. Note it in your car maintenance log along with the install date and odometer reading.
Common mistakes
- Reading it backward. 2419 is week 24 of 2019, not April 2019 or week 19 of 2024.
- Counting from the install date. Age counts from the date the tire was made, which is the date in the code.
- Reading a different number. Size (like 225/65R17) and load or speed markings are not dates. Look for the group after “DOT.”
- Checking one tire only. Tires on the same car can have different dates. Check all of them, and the spare.
The car maintenance checklist lists tire checks to do every month.
FAQ
Where is the date code on a tire?
On the sidewall, at the end of the number that starts with “DOT.” It is the last 4 digits. The full number is required on only one side of a new tire, so if you don’t see it, check the side that faces the inside of the wheel.
Do tires have an expiration date?
Not a printed one. The code shows when the tire was made. Tire makers such as Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone recommend replacing tires 10 years after that date, and some vehicle makers say 6 years. Check your owner’s manual.
What does a 3-digit tire date code mean?
The tire was made before 2000. The first 2 digits are the week and the last digit is the last digit of the year, so 258 means week 25 of 1988 or 1998. Either way, the tire is well past the 10-year limit tire makers recommend.
Does tire age start when the tire is made or when it is installed?
When it is made. Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone count from the date of manufacture, which is the date code on the sidewall.
Can a 10-year-old tire with good tread still be used?
Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone all recommend replacing tires 10 years after they were made, even if the tread looks fine. Have a tire shop inspect any tire that old, and check your owner’s manual.
Sources
- 49 CFR 574.5, Tire identification requirements (date code, week, one sidewall) (checked November 12, 2026): law.cornell.edu
- NHTSA final rule adding the fourth digit to the date code, Federal Register, July 8, 1999: govinfo.gov
- Michelin, When do I need new tires?: michelinman.com
- Continental, Tire age: continental-tires.com
- Continental, Replacing tires (1990s triangle mark; most tires wear out first): continental-tires.com
- Continental Tire, How long does a tire last?: continentaltire.com
- Bridgestone Americas, Tire replacement guidance (5-year inspection, 10 years, spares): bridgestoneamericas.com
- NHTSA, Tires, Aging section (6 to 10 years, spares, date code): nhtsa.gov
- Ford, 2013 Escape owner’s manual, tires section (copy on ManualsLib): manualslib.com