Finally got my new rear tire deliverd today after waiting3 1/2 months. I know Dunlop was on strike so I am fairly certain that my tire is fresh. I still have some miles left on the old one. My question is: Is there a way to determine the "birthday" of the tire? [sm=partyparty.gif]

 

Okay...found it! It's a "cut 'n paste" - ah can't take credit fer this...


When it comes to determining the age of a tire, it is easy to identify when a tire was manufactured by reading its Tire Identification Code (serial number). Unlike vehicle identification numbers (VINs) and the serial numbers used on many other consumer goods (which identify one specific item), Tire Identification Codes are really batch codes that identify which week and year the tire was produced.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that Tire Identification Code be a combination of eleven or twelve letters and numbers that identify the manufacturing location, tire size, manufacturer's code, and week and year the tire was manufactured.

Today, the week and year the tire was manufactured is contained in the last four digits of the serial number, with the 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceding the 2 digits used to identify the year.

Examples of tires manufactured since 2000 with this Tire Identification Code format:
XXXXXXXX 0600
XXXXXXXX 0600 06 - Manufactured during the 06th week of the year
XXXXXXXX 0600 00 - Manufactured during 2000

And
XXXXXXXX 0604
XXXXXXXX 0600 06 - Manufactured during the 06th week of the year
XXXXXXXX 0604 04 - Manufactured during 2004

The Tire Identification Code for tires produced prior to 2000 was based on the assumption that no tire would be in service for ten years. They were required to provided the same information, with the week and year the tire was built contained in the last three digits. The 2 digits used to identify the week a tire was manufactured immediately preceded a single digit used to identify the year.

For example, if the Tire Identification Code on a tire reads:
XXXXXXXX 0680
XXXXXXXX 0600 06 - Manufactured during the 06th week of the year
XXXXXXXX 0680 8 - Manufactured during the 8th year of the decade

While the previous serial number format identified that a tire was built in the 8th year of a decade, there was no universal identifier that confirmed which decade (tires produced in the 1990s may have a small triangle following the Tire Identification Code to identify the decade). The Tire Identification Code format used since 2000 accurately confirms the year.

And finally, hold on to your sales receipts. Most tire manufacturer's warranties cover their tires for four years from the date of purchase, or five years from the week the tires were manufactured. So if you purchase new tires that were manufactured exactly two years ago they will be covered for a total of six years (four years from the date of purchase) as long as you have your receipt. If you lose your receipt, your tires' warranty coverage will end five years from week the tire was produced (resulting in the tire manufacturer's warranty coverage ending only three years from the date of purchase in this example).

 

You are scaring me with the thought of waiting 3 1/2 months. Mine has been on order since the 21st of Feb. First they told me it would be in the 28th of Feb, then it was supposed to have been in yesterday the 8th of Mar, now I am being told it will be the 16th. I am running the 85MU tire wich is 143 MM wide with 85% percent of that for the side wall highth. I thought about going to the Mezler 880 140/90 but have concerns over rubbing my fender due to the bike being lowered 2.5" in the back. Does anyone know the diameter of the Mezlers 140/90?

 

Good question. Great answer TexasRedneck. Didn't know that.

 

Dayum TR, I know you rednecks like to jaw an' all, but I was never expecting a reply like that.[:-] You most certainly answered my question, and I thank you very much.