How To Read Tire Date Code
Decode the DOT date code, apply the exact maker age limit and let tread, damage or performance concerns decide first. Inputs stay in your browser.
Tread, physical condition and performance can require action before the age line. The entered age limit comes from the user—not a universal federal expiration rule.
Context matters.
- NHTSA says tires are unsafe at 2/32 inch of tread and recommends monthly pressure, tread and damage checks.
- Cuts, cracks, bulges, irregular wear, pressure loss, noise or vibration require professional attention regardless of tread or age.
- Some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacement at 6–10 years; follow the exact maker and owner-manual limit entered above.
Sources & scope
The calculation guide and this source trail show what the result means, where the rule came from and when it was last reviewed. This is source-and-calculation QA, not a claim of medical, legal, tax or other professional review; time-sensitive decisions still belong with the linked authority.
A visible path from input to answer.
Decode the DOT date code, apply the exact maker age limit and let tread, damage or performance concerns decide first. The page keeps the calculation scope and its limits beside the result so the output can be checked, copied or revisited.
- Read the record. The calculator uses Last four digits of the DOT TIN, Inspection date, Lowest measured tread depth (/32 in), Vehicle / tire maker age limit (years) and Tire role and 2 additional fields supplied in the form.
- Apply the scope. It applies the United States consumer tire safety — NHTSA tread, aging and DOT TIN guidance; exact vehicle and tire-maker limits control reference and the explicit date, unit and counting conventions shown in the result.
- Expose the checkpoints. Intermediate rows, warnings and timeline events stay visible; the emphasized row identifies the primary checkpoint when one exists.
Tread, physical condition and performance can require action before the age line. The entered age limit comes from the user—not a universal federal expiration rule.
- Entered age-line weekMay 13, 2026 – May 19, 2026
Calculation purpose: Decode the DOT date code, apply the exact maker age limit and let tread, damage or performance concerns decide first. This is a conditional reference output; the linked source and the situation-specific facts control the decision.
Calendar inputs use plain year-month-day semantics. Leap days, month ends, date-pair order and unsupported dates are checked before the result is shown.
Rule set 2.0.0 · Last reviewed 2026-08-20 · Next review due 2027-02-20. The source panel below contains the linked evidence.
What to know before using the result.
How do I read the tire's DOT date code?
Use the final four digits of the DOT Tire Identification Number: the first two are the manufacturing week and the last two are the year. For example, 0308 means week 03 of 2008.
Do all tires expire at six years?
No. NHTSA says some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacement at 6–10 years regardless of tread. Enter the exact limit from the vehicle owner manual or tire maker.
What overrides the age date?
Tread at 2/32 inch, cuts, cracks, bulges, irregular wear, pressure loss, noise or vibration can require replacement or professional inspection regardless of age.