Bicycle tire date decode
6 min read
Asked by: Edwin Cunningham
The chronological age of any tire can be found on the tire sidewall by examining the characters following the symbol “DOT”. The last four numbers identify the date of manufacture of the tire to the nearest week. The first two of these four numbers identify the week of manufacture (which range from “01” to “53”).
How do you read a tire date code?
Remember that the last four digits of the code are the date the tire was manufactured. You can check the first two digits of the DOT code to know the week of the manufacturing. The last two digits will reveal the manufacturing year. For instance, when it was written in 0203, the manufacturing year was 2003.
How do you read a 3 digit tire date code?
Tires built before 2000 featured a three-digit date code at the end of the Tire Identification Number. The first two digits of the date code tell you the week that the tires were built, and the last digit tells you the year.
Do bike tires have an expiration date?
Every tire has a birth date—the day it was manufactured—and an expiration date that is six years from that manufacture date.
How do you read a bike tire number?
Check your tire’s sidewall—the numbers there indicate your tire size (roughly its outer diameter and its width, but not always in that order). Typical road bike tire: 700 x 32c indicates a tire that has an outer diameter of 700mm and a width of 32mm.
How do I tell how old a tire is?
The chronological age of any tire can be found on the tire sidewall by examining the characters following the symbol “DOT”. The last four numbers identify the date of manufacture of the tire to the nearest week. The first two of these four numbers identify the week of manufacture (which range from “01” to “53”).
Are 10 year old tires safe?
Any tire over ten years old is too weak to ensure safe driving. At this age, it’s imperative that you replace your tires. For your safety, we will not service any tires aged 10 years or older.
Are 5 year old tires safe?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and official manufacturers suggest a tire is only 100% safe to use until it turns 5-6 years old. However, some admit that a tire can be operable up to 10 years if you check it for issues annually after the 5th year.
How many years does a tire expire?
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.
How many years is a tire good for?
On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
Are 15 year old tires safe?
Old tires are dangerous, regardless of tread depth. While there’s 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.
How often should bike tires be replaced?
If you are riding more than once a week, your tires will last about 1-2 years before they need to be replaced. However, if you ride less than once a week, it can last up to 4 years before needing replacement. This is mainly due to how much you use the bike and how well it is maintained.
How do I keep my bike tires from dry rotting?
Quote from video: Basically. If your tire comes into contact with anything besides the ground rinse. It off and the most important thing you can do to prevent dry rot ride your bike.
Can tires get too old?
How long can a tire last? Most auto manufacturers recommend replacing tires over six years old regardless of tread depth. Some tire manufacturers like Michelin and Continental give a 10-year limit. As rubber compounds age, they deteriorate and become weaker like other rubber and plastic components on your car.
What do the numbers mean on the tires?
This 12-digit identifier shows what factory the manufacturer built the tire, and the week and year it built the tire in. This date code will be the last four digits in the code. The first two digits represent the manufacture week and the second two represent the manufacture year.
How old can tires be and still be sold as new?
A new tire shouldn’t be older than 18 months when you purchase it. This is because the rubber starts to break down as soon as they roll off the manufacturer’s assembly line. Most tire shops are allowed to sell tires until they are 5 years old.
How do you read a DOT letter on a tire?
The DOT serial number located on the inside sidewall near the rim. The letters “DOT” are followed by eight to thirteen letters and/or numbers that identify where the tire was manufactured, tire size and the manufacturer’s code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured.
What do the letters and numbers mean on a tire?
The number is the load rating, or the amount of weight that it can handle. The letter is the speed rating, or the maximum speed the tire is built for.
How old can tires be and still be sold as new?
A new tire shouldn’t be older than 18 months when you purchase it. This is because the rubber starts to break down as soon as they roll off the manufacturer’s assembly line. Most tire shops are allowed to sell tires until they are 5 years old.
How many years are tires good for?
On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
Are 15 year old tires safe?
Old tires are dangerous, regardless of tread depth. While there’s 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.
Are 7 year old tyres safe?
There is no definitive tyre age limit as to when you should replace your tyres but once your tyres reach 7-10 years old, you should keep a close eye on their condition and consider replacing them. Tyre ageing is commonly identified by small cracks, known as crazing, which appear in the tyre sidewall.