How Old Are Your Tires?

By Rob Einaudi

Editor-in-Chief

Do you even know? Do you want to know? Well, there’s a little code on your tire’s sidewall that will tell you when it was manufactured. The tire below was manufactured on the 46th week of 1996, but was being sold as new in a Sears store, even though some experts say that tires over six years old should not be put into service–you can read the whole alarmist ABC "expose" here. I know that a bunch of muscle car and rat rod guys enjoy running around on ancient bias plias, which, needless to say, is not recommended…

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Posted at 6:06 pm in BFGoodrich, Tire

Comments

sheharyar chaudhry
Aug 19, 2008 at 4:27 am

I bought a tire today. I didn’t even think to look at the date and drove it home. I looked now and it was made in april ‘05. what should I do? I bought this to replace a flat I had a few days ago.

Sue Lewis
Jul 12, 2008 at 1:45 am

Ok, so I was able to find these code numbers on two of our vehicles. Our big van tires are a concern to me. The number after the DOT is: AN11 N9JJ. What does this mean?
Thanks for your help!

anon
Jun 20, 2008 at 5:45 pm

as one brought up around tractor trailers…
the date means jack squat. Manufactures and true ratings prove themselves… there is even car tires I have encountered that don’t even gain a flat spot after months or years of sitting full of air, on the unstoppable alloy. but if in doubt, lack of knowledge, go for the dates of course..

GTwildfire
Jun 20, 2008 at 5:45 am

lol… I wouldn’t drive on Bias Ply made yesterday.

kap0w
Jun 19, 2008 at 6:45 pm

I’ve been hearing about this for a while so I had to check it out. Mine are 2604, and I bought them probably about 1205, so that’s not bad. I guess Tire Rack done me good!