Checking a tire life
If any tires that are over 6 years
based on the manufacturing date, tire
strength and performance decline
with age naturally (even if the tires
are not used like a spare tire).
Therefore, the tires should be
replaced by new ones including the
spare tire. You can find the manufac-
turing date on the tire sidewall (possi-
bly only on the inside of the wheel),
which has DOT marking. DOT is seri-
al numbers on tires, which consist of
a combination of numbers and
English letters. You can check the
manufacturing date to the last four
position of the DOT.
DOT : XXXX XXXX OOOO
The front part of the DOT means a
plant code number, tire size and
tread pattern and the last four num-
bers indicate week and year manu-
factured.
For example ;
DOT XXXX XXXX 1602 represents
that the tire was produced in the 16th
week of 2002.
MAINTENANCE
7-32
WARNING
- Tire Temperature
The temperature grade for the
tire on your vehicle is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat build-up
and possible sudden tire fail-
ure. This can cause loss of vehi-
cle control and serious injury or
death.
WARNING
A tire more than 6 years old may
cause separation of the cord
layers inside the tire leading to
loss of vehicle or a serious
injury. Therefore, make sure to
check the manufacturing date
and replace the old tire in 6
years after the tire manufactur-
ing date.
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