QuestionYOU seem to have the knowledge over any other website i found, so here goes. I purchased new tires 5 weeks ago from a national chain. I had a bad blow out. the tow truck driver gave me a hint that the "new" tires might not be so new. They are continental conitrac SUV. the numbers on them read like this: U2230475 and A3T6 472B, with a 1111 in the stamped oval next to the last set I gave you.
it was suggested by the tow truck driver that these codes mean the 23 week of 04(2004). I would like your expertise in verifying this. I always buy quality over price. Tires are THE most important part of your vehicale in my opinion. I have done business with this company for 10-12 years. We were all fine, $5,000 damaged to my car, but it could have cost lives on the interstate. I want to be an informed consumer in the future.
please reply and thank you for your time!
AnswerKim,
It's a good thing your tow truck driver drives a truck, because he does not know how to read a DOT code. Here's my web site where I discuss how to decode a DOT code:
http://www.barrystiretech.com/dotcoding.html
If you follow the coding sequence, the first set of numbers - U2230475 - does not make any sense. First, there aren't enough digits and the first 2 (U2) - which are supposed to be the plant code - translates to Sumitomo in Japan.
But the second set of numbers - A3T6472B - also doesn't have enough digits, but the first 2 digits (A3) translates to General Tire in IL. I know that Continental owns the General Tire brand, so that at least makes partial sense.
It was unclear, but it seemed that the numbers 1111 followed the A3T6472B - and if that is the case, then the tire was manufactured the 11th week of this year.
So it looks like these tires are very fresh as we are in the 33rd week, so the tires would be 22 weeks old (4½ months) - and that also makes sense.
