How to Read Tire DOT Dates: Tire Age, Safety, and Storage Realities

This guide reflects FixGo's hands-on experience operating a Southern California partner network, including 200+ partner shops across greater Los Angeles and 20+ partner shops in the San Diego area. Our technical content is reviewed by installation professionals who see these issues firsthand, every day.

Welcome to FixGo's guide on reading tire DOT dates and understanding how tire age and warehouse storage affect your driving safety in Southern California.

The short answer

Every passenger tire sold in the United States features a Department of Transportation (DOT) serial number stamped on its sidewall. The final four digits of this code indicate the exact week and year the tire was manufactured. For example, a code ending in "2625" means the tire was manufactured during the 26th week of the year 2025.

Many drivers worry that tires stored in a warehouse for a year or two are automatically "perishable" or stale. DOT age matters, but storage conditions and inspection matter too. Tires kept clean, cool, dry, and away from sunlight, ozone, and heat are generally better protected from premature aging; before installation, a tire professional should still inspect the tread, sidewalls, bead area, and overall condition for cracking, deformation, or other age-related signs.

How to find and read the DOT code

To read your tire's production date, look closely at the sidewall near the wheel rim. You will find the letters "DOT" followed by a series of alphanumeric characters.

The final four digits of this serial number are the date code:

• First Two Digits: Specify the week of manufacture (01 through 52).
• Last Two Digits: Specify the year of manufacture (e.g., "26" represents 2026).

Follow the tire maker's service-life guidance and your vehicle owner's manual. Manufacturer guidance commonly calls for professional inspection once tires reach about five years of service, then removal from service by about ten years from the manufacture date if the tire is still in use; some vehicle makers recommend earlier replacement, so the more conservative guidance should take priority.

FAQ

Are tires stored in a warehouse for 2 years considered safe?

A: They can be suitable for installation when they have been stored correctly and pass a professional inspection. A two-year-old DOT date alone does not prove a tire is unsafe, but it also should not be treated as a guarantee of unchanged performance; visible cracking, flat-spotting, bead damage, or other aging signs should be checked before use.

What is the maximum age for safe tire use?

A: There is no universal tire expiration date that fits every brand, vehicle, climate, and use case. Use the tire manufacturer's published guidance and your owner's manual: many manufacturers call for regular professional inspections after about five years of service and removal from service by about ten years from the manufacture date, while some vehicle manufacturers recommend replacement earlier.

Next steps

• Check the DOT stamp on your current tires to identify their exact manufacture date.
• Look for signs of rubber aging, such as hairline cracks or dry rot in the sidewall grooves.
• If your tires are more than 6 years old or show visible signs of wear, use our online search tool or call our customer service line at 888-693-4946 to explore new tire options.