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Reading Tire Dates
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Mark Hulburt
454-4684
markhulburt@comcast.net
Dec 21, 2009
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U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
This begins with the letters "DOT" and indicates that the
tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are
the plant code where it was manufactured, and the last four numbers
represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the
numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997. The other numbers are
marketing codes used at the manufacturer's discretion. This
information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a
recall. The DOT number is probably the most important indicator of the
safety of the tire you are purchasing (all other are usually a simple
replacement of a manufacturer’s original tire size etc.)
Tires age, even if stored in a warehouse. Many RV manufacturers
recommend that you replace your tires after six years. However you may
not know how old the tire really is. You may purchase a new tire at a
dealer but you must check the DOT number to be certain that it a new
tire. Some tires being sold as “new” and look like a new tire may
actually be five or more years old. These older tires are a
hazard for tread separation and failure. Tread separation may cause
damage to your rig as well as cause a loss of control which could
result in an accident or single vehicle rollover definitely something
you do not wish to occur to you and your rig. More details at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/brochure.html
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