Here's How to Determine the Age of Your Car Tires from the Production Code
When buying or checking car tires, many people focus only on the tread pattern. However, there is one important thing that is often overlooked: the tire production year code. The small numbers on the side of the tire can determine whether your tires are still safe to use or whether it's time to replace them.
What Is the Tire Production Year Code?
Every tire has what is called a DOT (Department of Transportation) code. The last four digits of this code indicate the tire's production date. The first two digits indicate the week of production, while the last two digits indicate the year.
For example, if it says "2319," it means the tire was manufactured in the 23rd week of 2019.
By knowing how to read this code, you can calculate the age of your tires and assess whether they are still safe to use or have entered the danger zone.
Why is it so important to pay attention to this?
Tires that are more than 5-6 years old are usually starting to "age." Even if they look smooth, the rubber can harden and develop fine cracks. The danger is that this condition makes the tires prone to bursting, especially if the car is often driven at high speeds.
So, don't wait until the tires burst before replacing them. It's better to proactively check the tire production year code to ensure your safety and that of others on the road.
Easy Way to Read the Code
- Look for the DOT code on the side of the tire.
- Look at the last four digits.
- The first two digits = week of production.
- The last two digits = year of production.
- Compare it with the current year to find out how old your tires are.
Tips for Buying Tires to Avoid Making the Wrong Choice
In addition to checking the production code, here are some tricks to ensure the tires you buy are more durable and safe:
- Choose tires that are no more than three years old since production.
- Check the physical condition of the tires for small cracks or hardened rubber.
- Don't forget to check the tread and air pressure to ensure optimal performance.
Conclusion
Tires are not just wheel covers, but a vital part that determines driving safety. By understanding the tire production year code, you can be wiser about when to replace tires, when they can still be used, and of course make your journey more comfortable and safe.
Sometimes, small things like the four-digit number on a tire can make a big difference on the road.
Indonesia 🇮🇩
Begini Cara Tahu Usia Ban Mobil dari Kode Produksi
Banyak orang kalau beli atau ngecek ban mobil, fokusnya cuma di kembang ban alias pola tapak. Padahal ada satu hal penting yang sering kelewat: kode tahun pembuatan ban. Angka kecil di sisi ban ini bisa jadi penentu apakah ban kamu masih aman dipakai atau sudah waktunya pensiun.
Apa Sih Kode Tahun Pembuatan Ban Itu?
Di setiap ban, ada yang namanya kode DOT (Department of Transportation). Empat digit terakhir dari kode itu adalah penanda waktu produksi ban. Dua angka pertama nunjukin minggu produksi, sedangkan dua angka terakhir nunjukin tahun.
Contoh gampangnya, kalau tertulis “2319”, artinya ban itu diproduksi di minggu ke-23 tahun 2019.
Dengan tahu cara baca kode ini, kamu bisa ngitung umur ban dan menilai apakah masih layak dipakai atau sudah masuk zona rawan.
Kenapa Penting Banget Diperhatikan?
Ban yang sudah berusia lebih dari 5–6 tahun biasanya mulai “tua”. Walau tampangnya masih mulus, karet ban bisa mengeras dan muncul retak-retak halus. Bahayanya, kondisi itu bikin ban rawan pecah, apalagi kalau mobil sering dipakai di kecepatan tinggi.
Jadi, jangan tunggu ban pecah dulu baru ganti. Lebih baik proaktif cek kode tahun pembuatan ban buat jaga keselamatan kamu dan orang lain di jalan.
Cara Mudah Membaca Kodenya
- Cari kode DOT di sisi ban.
- Lihat empat angka terakhir.
- Dua angka pertama = minggu produksi.
- Dua angka terakhir = tahun produksi.
- Bandingkan dengan tahun sekarang, dari situ kamu bisa tahu umur ban kamu.
Tips Beli Ban Biar Nggak Salah Pilih
Selain melihat kode produksinya, ada beberapa trik biar ban yang dibeli lebih awet dan aman:
- Pilih ban yang usianya nggak lebih dari tiga tahun sejak diproduksi.
- Cek fisik ban, apakah ada retak kecil atau karet yang sudah terasa keras.
- Jangan lupa perhatikan tapak ban dan tekanan angin biar performanya tetap oke.
Kesimpulan
Ban itu bukan cuma alas roda, tapi bagian vital yang menentukan keselamatan berkendara. Dengan paham kode tahun pembuatan ban, kamu bisa lebih bijak kapan harus ganti ban, kapan masih bisa dipakai, dan tentu saja bikin perjalanan lebih nyaman serta aman.
Kadang, hal kecil seperti angka empat digit di ban ini bisa bikin perbedaan besar di jalan raya.