Three-digit numbers indicate a production date before 2000; the first two digits stand for the production week and the last one indicates the year. For example, 346 means the 34th week of 1986 or 1996.

How do you decode a tire code?

Every tire has a Department of Transportation (DOT) number following the letters on the sidewall. The last four digits determine the week and year the tire was made; for example, the digits 2214 would signify that the tire was made during the 22nd week of 2014. Dont buy tires more than a couple of years old.

How do you read a Michelin DOT tire code?

The first two numbers represent the week of manufacture, the last two numbers indicate the year. On this Michelin tire, the date code is “2118.” Which indicates the tire was manufactured in the 21st week of the year. The number “18” represents the year 2018.

When did they start putting date codes on tires?

Luckily, decoding a tire and determining the tires age is a pretty straightforward process, as a standardized 10-digit Tire Identification Number (often called a DOT number) was mandated by the United States Department of Transportation in 1971.

What happens if you drive on old tires?

Old tires are dangerous, regardless of tread depth. While theres no federally sanctioned safety guidance on when a tire is too old to be safe, many carmakers recommend replacement at six years from the date of manufacture. Old tires have been the culprit in fatal accidents.

What do the numbers on Michelin tires mean?

255/35 indicates that the tire is 255 millimeters wide, with a 35-percent sidewall aspect ratio. In other words, the height of the sidewall is 35 percent of the tread width. If you want to convert either of those numbers to inches, divide by 25.4, the number of millimeters in an inch.

What is the oldest tire you should buy?

A tire shouldnt be older than 18-months when you purchase it. Most tires are under a year old when the tire shop gets them. Thats important because the rubber starts to breakdown as soon as they roll off the manufacturers assembly line.

Can I replace 225 tires with 235?

No, not OK all tires should be same diameter. the diameter is the same just more contact with the ground. uh 225/45/17 and 235/45/17 are NOT the same rolling diameter.

Can I use 225 60R17 instead of 235 65r17?

Not safely, no. If you go to a narrower tread width tire you will want to increase the sidewall height aspect ratio exponentially. The shorter sidewall 225/60R17 tire will not provide the needed load carrying capability needed for your vehicle.

At what age are tires unsafe?

It may be tentative, but tires do have an expiration date. There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left.