DOT stands for Department of Transportation. The 10, 11 or 12 digit code appearing after the DOT designation gives information such as the week and year the tire was produced, as well as the manufacturer, plant, tire line, and size. The first 2 characters designate the tire's manufacturer and plant code. The third, fourth and fifth characters, are the tire size code. The last three or four numbers (4 numbers for years after 2000) are when the tire was manufactured. The first two digits of the date code represent the week and the last 1 or 2 digits represent the year.

http://www.1010tires.com/tech.asp?type=tires_general#sizing

 

I am not seeing a similar code on any of the Goodyear tires I have looked at, perhaps they do something different?

 

All tires have a build code built in somewhere-usually where Greg showed above. Realizing tires are a maintenance item and need replaced, average life of a tire is something like 5-6 years. Assuming those are still stock, they're likely that old now. As long as they're not dry rotted or appear in rough shape, myself-I'd likely run them for now. I've never experienced an otherwise "good" looking tire come apart on me simply due to being past it's "born-on" date. I have however had many tires come apart that I ran that showed dry-rot and cracking. Those are for sure dangerous and I wouldn't run them. Also had new tires out of round and throw a cord after purchase. Point being, if they look decent, I highly doubt you'll be able to negotiate price on the new rig just because the tires are 5-6 years old now. I guess it's worth at try, but I wouldn't put it as a 'make or break' deal kind of thing. Buy the rig, and enjoy the hell out of it! You won't be on those tires for very long anyway... :lildevil:

Best of Luck,

Mike

 

I am not seeing a similar code on any of the Goodyear tires I have looked at, perhaps they do something different?

I just checked and it is near the circle/oval and under the W for Wrangler.

These say 47th week of '05
[attachment=0:1ktty0l1]DSC02855a.JPG[/attachment:1ktty0l1]

I doubt this matters, but these tires can be mounted either way so it was not on the other side?

 

Older tires, I can't remember what year, had the born on date on the inside. Newer tires are labeled on the outside.

 

I cant really read the last 2 digits...is it a 0 and a 5?

 

I cant really read the last 2 digits...is it a 0 and a 5?

On this tire, yes.

 

I could have been on the inside, but I did not look. This was just a jeep I saw at work in the parking lot that I had to take a look at.

 

Just an FYI on this topic, some countries in europe dont pass safety inspection after 5 years of age on the tires regardless of dry rot or tread life left.

 

My original MT/Rs have 57k on them...the build code says 4202, i.e. Oct 2002 (I bought the Rubi new in Nov '02)

Eight year old tires = bad?

 

My original MT/Rs have 57k on them...the build code says 4202, i.e. Oct 2002 (I bought the Rubi new in Nov '02)

Eight year old tires = bad?

You would have to google this and make your own conclusion. Some people say 6 years some say 10. I think it was Germany having the 5 years on the inspection thing... But they have the Autobahn.

Ford Motor CO says 6 years

http://www.safetyresearch.net/2006/03/0 ... re-makers/