A healthy car tyre ensures road safety and comfort while you drive. This simply means they must not have any wear and tear and no compromise to the tyre’s life. And just because they appear fine, it does not mean they are fresh and new.
Well! Have you ever wondered how old your car tyres really are? Tyres age, even if they have not been used much. For that, it is important to know the manufacturing date of your tyre. Here is how you can have a quick check in just a few minutes. Let’s see!
Look For the DOT Code on the Tyre
The DOT code stands for the Department of Transportation code, which tells about the tyre’s manufacturing date, size and more. But where to find it?
It is embedded on the tyre’s sidewall – a unique alphanumeric identification number such as DOT HN0R ABCD 1520. The number represents the brand, size, and year of manufacturing, and more.
How To Read the DOT Code?
The last four digits are the manufacturing date of the tyre. For the mentioned DOT code, the 1520 is the date. But you may not get it and need to know:
- The first two numbers (15) – week of manufacturing
- The last two numbers (20) – year of manufacturing
So now you know that the tyre was manufactured in the 15th week of the year 2020.
Why is it Important To Know the DOT Code?
Here is why it is important to know the DOT code:
No Scams: When purchasing tyres, you need to opt for the newer ones, which means they will work longer without compromising your safety. Well! People may scam, but you need to stay careful. Make sure you check the DOT code yourself to avoid getting scammed.
Know the Age of the Tyre: The appearance of the tyre will not tell you that it needs to be replaced. You can check this either by doing a quick tyre life test with a coin or by knowing the DOT.
Safeguards Your Investment: Before purchasing the tyre, checking the DOT helps you ensure you invest in the newly made tyres. This makes tyres run for a longer time with high performance.
Final Verdict
You need to keep noticing the tyre’s wear and tear, but that’s not all. Make sure you are aware of the tyre’s DOT to see how close the tyres are to their retirements. Remember, knowing the manufacturing date of the tyre is important to help you stay safer on the roads.
