Where to find the DOT code
Look on the sidewall for the letters DOT followed by a string of letters and numbers. The date is the four digits at the very end, often in a small oval. Some tires only show the full code on one side, so if you can’t find it, check the inner face of the tire.
A three-digit date code means the tire was made before 2000.
When does tire age matter?
Rubber ages even when the tread looks fine. Many vehicle and tire makers recommend inspecting tires closely once they’re about five or six years old and replacing them by about ten years old, whatever the tread depth. Some vehicle makers recommend replacement at about six years. Your owner’s manual and the tire maker’s guidance are the authority.
Age is only half the story — tread depth and damage matter too. See how long tires last for the penny test and tread depth.
Check the date when you buy
Tires can sit in a warehouse before they’re sold. It’s reasonable to check the date code on new tires — and on any used tires — before they go on your car. Don’t forget the spare.