When Tires Expire: Where to Find the Production Date

When buying car tires, you need to consider not only their basic characteristics, such as radius, tread type, purpose, and seasonality, but also the date of manufacture.

However, not all drivers know where the year of manufacture is indicated on the tire. The Indy Auto Man Indiana car dealership experts explain the vital tire metrics and how to find the necessary information.

Where is the tire production date indicated?

The necessary information, regardless of the manufacturer, is located on the side in an oval-shaped stamp. There should be four digits, the first two of which indicate the week of manufacture, the second - the year. For example, the designation "0525" means that the product was manufactured in the fifth week of 2025, in the last days of January or early February.

Tire brands may differ in symbols and markings. For example, on products of the Japanese Yokohama, you will find the letter "Y" next to four numbers.

Why do you need to know the date of manufacture of car tires?

In many American states, drivers are forced to use summer and winter tires, as the climate dictates its rules. Knowing the year of manufacture is necessary to purchase tires of proper quality, understand their current condition, and make approximate conclusions regarding the remaining service life.

Almost all rubber manufacturers provide a 5-year warranty on their products. However, this is a very conditional indicator. For drivers who adhere to a calm driving style, avoiding low-quality roads, tires can last much longer than 5 years. The opposite rule also applies: sharp acceleration, emergency stops with screeching wheels, routes on dirt roads, and potholes will lead to the fact that in just a couple of seasons, good rubber will be covered with bald spots.

How long will the tires last?

Marking the year of manufacture will help you find and buy the most fresh product. However, to preserve the original characteristics, it must be used correctly to exclude violations that can lead to premature wear and damage. The following has a direct impact on the service life:

• Driving style. Sharp starts and stops greatly increase the friction between the wheels and the asphalt, negatively affecting the tread condition. Increased mechanical loads, in addition, can lead to structural damage.
• Climate. Rubber must match the weather. At minimum, this is a safety issue because in winter, a summer tire becomes oak and stops holding the road. In addition, this leads to deep structural cracks. The decision to use winter tires in the summer does not seem rational either: they are too soft and quickly wear out on hot road surfaces.
• Compliance with the rules of care. The tires can wear out much earlier than the warranty period ends when the driver uses aggressive cleaning compounds. If the shade from rich black turns gray after regular washing, you should consider changing the product. Most likely, it washes out essential components from the rubber, negatively affecting not only the appearance but also the performance. There is a loss of strength, elasticity, and deterioration of adhesion to the road surface.

It is worth following some additional recommendations, including those that do not seem obvious. For example, if possible, it is better to park the car in the shade so as not to expose the rubber to extra heat and ultraviolet radiation.

Of course, you need to monitor the pressure constantly, do not drive on flat or overinflated tires, to not subject them to excessive loads.

It is also necessary to control the wheel alignment. If the next inspection shows that one side of the tires is much more worn than the other, it is time to go to the service center and make an adjustment, otherwise, the newly installed wheels will quickly lose their original properties.