How to Read Date Code on Toyo Tires: Step-by-Step Instructions

The date code on a Toyo tire is the final four digits of the DOT Tire Identification Number: the first two digits show the manufacturing week, and the last two show the year. For example, “3522” means the tire was made during the 35th week of 2022.

The difficult part is finding the complete code, not decoding those four numbers. A tire may display the DOT marking and identification code on only one sidewall, while the opposite side shows a partial code without the date. Dirt, curb rash, raised lettering, unusual sidewall styling, or a wheel position that hides the inner side can also make the final digits easy to miss.

Identifying the true date matters because tire age is only one factor in deciding whether a tire remains suitable for service.

This guide explains where the code appears, how to separate the date from the rest of the DOT number, what older three-digit codes mean, and how to check all four tires. It also covers the difference between a manufacturing date and a purchase date, why a missing code may require an inner-side inspection, and which signs call for professional evaluation. By the end, you can read the date correctly and make a more informed safety decision rather than judging a Toyo tire by appearance or mileage alone.

Find the DOT code on the Toyo sidewall

Start by looking at the sidewall of the tire, the rubber surface between the tread and the wheel. Search for the letters DOT, followed by a series of letters and numbers. The marking may be molded into the rubber rather than printed with contrasting ink, so a flashlight and a quick cleaning with mild soap and water can make it easier to see.

The DOT marking identifies the tire through a standardized Tire Identification Number, often shortened to TIN. The entire string can include a plant code, size-related information, optional manufacturer codes, and the date code. You do not need to decode every character to determine when the tire was made.

Look at the far right end of the full identification string. The date portion is normally the last four digits and is enclosed in a small oval or rounded outline on modern tires. Depending on the mold and tire size, the characters may be spaced differently, but the final four digits are the key section.

Read the final four digits

Modern Toyo tires use a four-digit date code. The first pair identifies the week of manufacture, and the second pair identifies the year.

• First two digits: manufacturing week, from 01 through 53.
• Last two digits: last two numbers of the manufacturing year.

For example, a code ending in 0819 indicates production during the eighth week of 2019. A code ending in 4723 indicates production during the 47th week of 2023. The code does not identify the exact day of production.

A week number such as 01 represents the first production week of the year, while 52 or 53 represents a final production week when applicable. Do not read the digits as a month and year. “2318,” for example, does not mean the tire was made in the 23rd month of 2018; it indicates the 23rd week of 2018.

The year uses two digits because the date format is designed to show the production year in abbreviated form. A four-digit ending such as 1421 means week 14 of 2021, not 1921 or 2121. If the digits are worn, distorted, or only partly visible, avoid guessing from their shape.

Make sure you found the complete code

One of the most common mistakes is reading a partial DOT number on the outward-facing sidewall. Tire manufacturers may place the full TIN, including the date, on one side of the tire and a shortened version on the other. This lets the tire’s identification remain visible without requiring the complete date marking on both sides.

If the code stops before the final four digits, inspect the opposite sidewall. On a car or light truck, that may mean looking at the inner side of the tire from behind the wheel or beneath the vehicle. A full code often has a pattern similar to “DOT” followed by several identification characters and a final four-digit oval.

Use a flashlight rather than relying on a phone camera alone. Photographing the sidewall at a shallow angle can help reveal raised characters, but reflections and shadows can also make a 3 look like an 8 or a 1 look like a 7.

Never rely on the tire’s serial number, size marking, load index, speed rating, or model name as the date. Those markings identify other tire attributes. The date is specifically the final four-digit group in the full DOT identification number.

Check every Toyo tire separately

Do not inspect one tire and assume the other three have the same production date. Tires are often replaced individually or in pairs, and a vehicle can have different ages even when all four tires are the same Toyo model.

Record the date from each tire, including the tire’s position. A simple note such as “front left—week 18 of 2021” prevents confusion when the vehicle has directional tires, different tread patterns, or a full-size spare.

• Front-left tire
• Front-right tire
• Rear-left tire
• Rear-right tire
• Full-size spare, if equipped

A spare can be overlooked because it spends most of its life under the vehicle or in the trunk. If it is intended for emergency use, its age and condition still matter. A temporary compact spare may use different markings and operating instructions, so follow the information molded on that tire and the vehicle owner’s manual.

Understand older three-digit date codes

If a Toyo tire has a three-digit date code rather than four digits, it may have been manufactured before the standardized four-digit format was adopted. Three-digit codes require caution because they do not identify the decade as clearly as modern codes.

On older tires, the first two digits indicate the manufacturing week. The final digit indicates the year within a decade, but the code alone may not tell you which decade. Some older date codes include a small symbol, such as a triangle, to distinguish a tire made in the 1990s from one made in the 1980s.

The exact marking and tire history should be considered before interpreting that symbol.

A three-digit code is a warning that the tire is old enough to deserve particularly careful evaluation. If the decade cannot be established confidently, ask a qualified tire professional to inspect the tire and help determine whether it should remain in service. Do not treat an uncertain date as a reason to keep using the tire.

Do not confuse manufacture date with purchase date

The DOT date records when the tire was manufactured, not when it was sold, installed, mounted, or first driven. A tire can spend time in distribution or storage before reaching a retailer, so its production date may be earlier than the purchase date.

The date also does not show how the tire was used. A low-mileage tire that sat outdoors, was underinflated, or was exposed to heat may need closer inspection than its mileage suggests. Conversely, a newer tire can have damage from a puncture, impact, improper repair, or severe underinflation.

Keep the purchase receipt and installation record separately from the DOT date. Those documents can help establish when the tire entered service, while the sidewall code establishes its production week and year.

Use the date as one part of a safety inspection

Age is important, but the date code is not a pass-or-fail test by itself. Examine the tread and sidewalls for conditions that can make a tire unsafe regardless of its apparent age, including cuts, bulges, punctures, exposed cords, irregular wear, or deep cracking.

Pay particular attention to cracks in the sidewall or between tread blocks. Surface discoloration or light weathering is not the same as a severe crack, and visual judgment can be difficult when damage is small or located on the inner sidewall.

• Check for bulges or bubbles, which can indicate internal structural damage.
• Look for cuts, punctures, exposed cords, or separated tread.
• Inspect both sidewalls, including the side facing the suspension.
• Compare tread wear across the tire and from side to side.
• Verify inflation pressure with a reliable gauge when the tires are cold.
• Look for vibration, pulling, noise, or repeated pressure loss while driving.

Uneven wear can point to alignment, suspension, balancing, or inflation problems. Correcting the underlying issue may protect replacement tires, but it does not reverse age-related rubber changes or repair structural damage.

Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s pressure information, usually found on the driver-door placard or in the owner’s manual, rather than using the maximum pressure molded into the tire as the normal target. If a tire has a serious bulge, exposed cord, tread separation, or other visible structural problem, do not continue driving on it simply because the date code is recent.

When to ask a tire professional for help

Professional inspection is appropriate when the date is hidden, illegible, incomplete, or located on the inner sidewall. It is also wise when the tire has been involved in a collision or curb impact, has been driven while severely underinflated, or shows cracking and unusual wear.

A technician can safely inspect the inner sidewall and tread, identify damage that is difficult to see while the tire is mounted, and assess whether the tire’s condition is consistent with continued use. A tire shop may also be able to clarify an older code or determine whether a marking has been misread.

Do not remove a tire from the wheel or place yourself beneath an inadequately supported vehicle just to reach the code. If accessing the full marking requires lifting the vehicle, use proper equipment and safe procedures, or have the inspection performed by a professional.

Manufacturers and tire-safety organizations may provide age-related inspection or replacement guidance, but the appropriate decision depends on the tire’s condition, storage and service history, climate, vehicle use, and the manufacturer’s current recommendations. Check the Toyo documentation for the specific tire and discuss uncertainty with a qualified tire professional.

Frequently asked questions about Toyo tire date codes

Where is the date code on a Toyo tire?

The date code is at the end of the full DOT Tire Identification Number. Look for “DOT” on the sidewall, then find the final four digits, commonly enclosed in an oval. If the visible code ends before four date digits, inspect the opposite sidewall because the complete TIN may appear on only one side.

How do you read the four numbers on a Toyo

Read the first two digits as the production week and the last two as the production year. A code ending in 3024 means the tire was manufactured during week 30 of 2024. It is not a month-day code and does not provide the exact production date.

Can the DOT code tell when a Toyo tire was

No, it only identifies the tire’s manufacturing week and year. The purchase or installation date must be confirmed with a receipt, service record, or retailer information. A tire may have been stored for a period before it was sold or mounted.

Why can’t I find the last four digits on my

The complete date marking may be on the inner sidewall. Some tires show a partial DOT number on the outward-facing side and the full TIN on the opposite side. Clean the sidewall, use a flashlight, and check both sides without placing yourself in an unsafe position.

What does a three-digit Toyo tire date code mean?

A three-digit code generally identifies an older tire made before the four-digit format. The first two digits indicate the week and the final digit identifies a year within an uncertain decade. Because the decade may not be obvious, have an older or unclear tire evaluated by a qualified professional.

Does a newer date code mean the Toyo tire is

No, the date is only one part of the safety assessment. A newer tire can still be unsafe because of a bulge, puncture, tread separation, severe cracking, underinflation damage, or improper repair. Inspect the tire’s condition and replace it if a serious defect is present.

Use the date code as a starting point

The practical method is simple: locate the full DOT marking, read the final four digits as week and year, and record the date for every tire and spare. The major limitation is that age alone cannot reveal hidden damage or confirm that a tire is safe for continued service.

If the code is incomplete, unusually old, or difficult to interpret, inspect the opposite sidewall and arrange a professional evaluation. A correct date reading is the first step; the next decision should combine that date with condition, service history, inflation, and the manufacturer’s guidance.