Tire Age How To Tell???

[ron69912t]

I would like to find out how old the Michelen tires are on my car. They were on the car when I bought it 3 years ago and look good as far as the amount of tread and side wall condition but they could be old and dangerous.

Is there a date code on tires?? They are marked 185/65 HR15 87T. Iam concerned about a high speed blow-out with old tires. If I go to a tire dealer he will just try to sell me a new set.

Thanks for your help.

Ron D

[Evans, Marv]

I just changed the tires on my 912 recently. The guy at the tire store told me the old ones were made in 1989. He showed me the number "89" in a series of numbers on the tire. Sorry I don't remember exactly where, but it wasn't associated with the tire size. You might look at the different numbers on the tires & it might become apparent to you.

[atlporsche]

you haven't lived until you've driven on dry 70's tube type pirellis...

can you say powerslides at 20...

sjd

[Duke]

The age of the tire is the last four (4) numbers of the DOT label.
For ex: 1202 would mean the tire was made week twelve of year 2002.

[jac912]

Speaking of tires ... Wondering if anyone has experience with the original size tires that came with the 912 and wider modern tires. I have 195 65 r15 Pirelli's that are no doubt great tires but obviously more tire than a 2200 lb. car needs. I suspect that a narrow tire would give a more comfortable ride and be better in the rain but as a negative have more roll in cornering.
Any Comments?
Jim in Ma.

[h.beard]

Ron,
By high speed driving do you mean on your trip to the SE rendezvous or the one in Monterey.
Howard could I change my oil here Beard
from Baltimore

[ron69912t]

Howard you are always welcome to stop by and change your oil at my place (don't forget the donuts).

By high speed driving I mean anything over 55 mph.

I am thinking of the Indiana Meet but not sure yet.

Thanks,
Ron D

[craign]

Here is a link to what all those numbers mean

This one and several others that turned up on google mention nothing of a Mfg date code but that doesn't mean they aren't there.

A quick look over by your local tire shop could give you a good estimate.

http://www.sbcc.ca/tech/tires1.htm

Craign

[ron69912t]

Craig:
I can almost guarantee the tire dealer will try to sell me a set of new skins.

According to this site the "production date" is within the DOT number.

I think the sample image DOT number "W27J356" has a March 1956 productuion date.

Can anyone verify this as correct???

Thanks,
Ron

[ron69912t]

I checked my tires but did not see a "DOT" number on them. Maybe it's on the the other side of the tire. All the other tire info is present but not the DOT number.

Any ideas?? How long have they been using DOT numbers?
Thanks
Ron D

[Duke]

The tires should be mounted so the DOT label is visible on the OUTSIDE of the tire. It seems very few tire places know this. Look on the inside of your tire.

[ron69912t]

The DOT date code says my tires were made in 1976....yikes!!!!

They are history, bought me 4 new Yokahammas Avid 4Hs's.

Thanks for all the info.

Ron D

[mopydick]

From the general internets:

XX = week of year
YY = last two digits of the year

For 2000 and newer, there are 4 digits, such as XXYY (example, 1202 is 12th week of 2002)

Older than 2000, there are 3 digits, such as XXY (example, 128 is the 12th week of 1998)

Given my MK5465 number found on the tire, I'd say the tires from the 46th week of 1995. Am I correct in my interpretation?


It would make since because I bought the car in 1995 and put new tires on it.

As I realized that 25 years of my life have flown on by, so have 25 years of driving on the same tires have, too.

Yikes! New tires are going on today. Although I'm amazed at how well the tires have held up. The car is always stored in a cool, dark, dry garage. I think this is what gave the rubber tires a chance to last this long.

Thurmond



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