What does the last four digits on a tire represent?

The last four digits on a tire's sidewall represent the week and year of manufacture. This code is part of the DOT (Department of Transportation) tire identification number, which provides critical information about the tire's age and production details.

The first two digits indicate the week of the year in which the tire was produced, ranging from 01 to 52, while the last two digits represent the last two digits of the year it was manufactured. For example, if the last four digits are 2219, it signifies that the tire was manufactured in the 22nd week of the year 2019. This information is essential for consumers to track the age of tires, as older tires may have a higher risk of failure and may not perform optimally, regardless of tread wear.