QuestionI RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 MAZDA TRIBUTE AND HAVE ALSO SEEN THE 20/20 ARTICLE ON AGED NEW TIRES. HOWEVER, THE CONTINENTAL TIRES I HAVE ARE MARKED WITH A DOT CODE OF "A308 46KB." COULD YOU PLEASE SPECIFY THE YEAR OF THESE TIRES? THE LETTER "A" IS THROWING IT ALL OFF. THANK YOU.
AnswerLisa,
DOT codes are a 10 to 12 digit number located near the letters "DOT". BTW the digits can be numbers or letters.
The first 2 digits are a code for the manufacturing plant. In your case, A3 = Mt. Vernon, IL.
The next 2 digits are a code for the tire size. 08 = P235/70R16
The next 3 or 4 digits are a code for the type of tire. 46KB = ?? Some code that applies to the particular tires on your Mazda.
The last 3 or 4 digits are the date code. The format is week/week/year/year or week/week/year. These digits are missing.
Starting in the year 2000, the date coding used is 4 digits. That means the highest number you should see for the year is 08. Before 1999 the format was 3 digits. 1999 and 2000 are transition years, so you will find both 3 and 4 digits.
However, you haven't given me a 10 to 12 digit number, so I can't decipher it, but I did tell you how do it. Please be aware that the full number is only on one side - and that side might not be the side facing out.
