How to date tyres with no visible DOT code?

knightstyle

Bought a caravan last year and the tyres look good, no splits etc. But I cannot see a date code or the letters DOT anywhere. Does this mean I will have to jack up and look on the inner rim or is there another way of checking from the visible codes?

Tyres are Firestone Vanhawk made in Turkey 185/14R. Codes on them are

102/100R QT26191-3. 0020337. 024413. S2R1

HillStreetBlues

It only had to be on one side, so will have to look the other side.

fatbelly

Yes, that's a pain. If they were installed in pairs there's a fair bet that the code on the one you can see matches the one you can't. But to be sure you're going to have to go to a bit of effort.

UnsureAboutthis

IMO, that just proves the tyre is old - look for cracks even light cracks as older tyres have them and those left standing around - check its not a remould etc as well

knightstyle

OK thanks I have looked at both tyres so guess I will have to jack the caravan up and remove a wheel. Why do they make it so hard???

UnsureAboutthis

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82165491#Comment_82165491

Btw - tyres prioer to 2020 did not have the date code on them like the ones we have now

leosayer

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82165502#Comment_82165502

I've got tyres going back to 2008 with date codes on them 4808, 4308 etc

leosayer

Maybe try asking Firestone directly

marlot

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82165502#Comment_82165502

The current system started around 2000

Goudy

Manufacturers used a three digit code between 1980 and 1999. Week and last number of the year. So 249 would be 24th week 1989 or 1999. You can see why it was changed to a four digit code as the year is more easily identifiable.

Before 1980. If they were roundish and rubber, all was good.

The manufacturers only have to stamp the code on one wall of the tyre, so it could be on the inner wall.

According to Firestone, the original Vanhawk was produced from early 2017, the Vanhawk 2 came in later 2017, the Vanhawk Multiseason in 2020 and the Vanhawk 3 in 2025, so they should have a four digit code on them somewhere.

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82165502#Comment_82165502

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82165823#Comment_82165823

Earliest I've seen with a code is 1984.

1980s - three digits, WWY
1990s - three digits, WWY plus triangle
2000s - four digits, WWYY

Apart from early '10s spares in various cars, I've definitely got some 90s, probably some 80s, in my shed if anybody doubts it… And, no, they will never be used. The rims are good, and the rubber makes them easier to stack.