How old are my tires and how to read the DOT ?

How to determine the age of your tires ?

To determine the age of your tire, you can check the DOT code on the tire's sidewall:
 

DOT is short for Department of transport, the body that regulates which tires are made for and can be used on public roads in North America. The letters “DOT” are followed by eight to thirteen letters and/or numbers that identify where the tire was manufactured, tire size, and the manufacturer's code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured

 The production date or the age of the tire is shown as 4 numbers, e.g., "3909," as illustrated in the picture above.

• "39" represents the 39th week of the year, in this case, September.
• "09" represents the year, in this case, 2009.
• Therefore, this tire was produced in September 2009.

What is the maximum life expectancy of a tire ?

It is very common in the industry to receive tires that are 1 to 3 years old. Major manufacturers produce their tires overseas, and due to the production delay and transport time, tires often arrive in Canada several months after their production date. Because of the very seasonal Canadian market, the tires can sit on shelves for several more months.

As for the life expectancy of a tire, it is widely acknowledged in the industry that tires from major manufacturers should be replaced after 10 years if not worn out before (read more). However, after 5 years of use, tires should be inspected every year.