DOT Tire Dates

[Kenneth T.]

I have a GoodYear RWL 2 Ply Nyon Spare. I do not know how determine the date on the tire. It is a DOT MJU2 D1A232.

Thank You,

Ken

[Kenneth T.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

I have a GoodYear RWL 2 Ply Nyon Spare. I do not know how determine the date on the tire. It is a DOT MJU2 D1A232.

Thank You,

Ken

As this tire is 38 years old, should I keep it at the normal 30psi pressure or lower it so it does not pop?

[Stephen B.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

The book "1969 Stingray Guidebook" by Mr. Bizzoco explains tire dating during this era.

[Dick W.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

The bias ply and belted tires are not quite as apt to disintegrate as the radials are. A radial will blow apart sitting still when they get a few years age on them. Bias ply normally will last almost indefinitely when not exposed to sunlight, although they are not safe to drive on.

[Terry M.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

I had to ask the great Karnak, because I thought the post-1971 code was more than 10 characters, but maybe I am wrong. No need for Bizzoko's book either.

232 = 23rd week of 1972. That is the code that has been on ALL USA marketed tires since January (or so) of 1971. It changed slightly with the new millennium, but that is not a factor here -- only for your daily driver.

[David C.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

Looks as if the tire was made in the 23rd week of 1972

[Tom R.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

This photo shows the code format in 1977 and shows ten characters...date code 437 or 43rd week of 1977. But than that's a Good Year tire...formats changed from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Figure 1 1978 Polyspare date code 437.jpg

By the 80's, multiple stencil plates were used (Good Years) such as that shown. But date codes remained the same until 1997 with a three digit code week and single digit for year.

Figure 2 multiple stencil plate date code 331.jpg

[Kenneth T.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

I had to ask the great Karnak, because I thought the post-1971 code was more than 10 characters, but maybe I am wrong. No need for Bizzoko's book either.

232 = 23rd week of 1972. That is the code that has been on ALL USA marketed tires since January (or so) of 1971. It changed slightly with the new millennium, but that is not a factor here -- only for your daily driver.

Terry,

My car is a late July '71, how will this judge as a spare?

Thanks to everyone,

Ken

[Tom R.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

Terry,

My car is a late July '71, how will this judge as a spare?

Thanks to everyone

Ken:

Tire date codes aren't judged but those characteristics that make up a particular tire configuration would be. So if tires on the car are redlines and the spare is a gold line...than a deduct. That sort of thing.

[Terry M.]

[Norm C.]

Original or RePOP DOT Tire Dates

To add on to Ken's Thread..... Does anyone know when Goodyear stopped production of the F70-15 RWL Speedway Wide Tread?

I was able to pick up a full set that were reportedly from the "late 70's to early 80's". The seller reportedly was the second owner who bought them for judging but never finished the car, so he never mounted them. Claims he's had them for "12-15ys in storage He stated he bought them from the original owner who bought them as replacements, but took them off in less than a month to go with radials and stored these. The little tire nubbings are still on them and you can see faint white paint in the groves of the tread. All that being said, I got them for well less than Kelsey prices.... so my "expectations" can't be disappointed. Two of the codes are as follows: DOT CYU2B3 161704 and CYU2B3 160505. From the previous posts, the last 3 numbers on the first one doesn't correlate to deciphere the date code.

Secondly, what's the best way to store these, besides out of the sunlight...ie mounted or not; inflated or not; any dressing that can help prevent drying out or ck cracking? Forgot to ask the seller....

Thanks in advance to all more knowledgeable than me for your help!!!

[Terry M.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

And they are 12 characters long. My guess:

CYU2B3 161704 = 17th week of 2004
CYU2B3 160505 = 5th week of 2005

Which would make these the Kelsey tires. I don't know when Goodyear stopped making them, but Kelsey makes them under license from Goodyear, and his tires can be purchased from Goodyear dealers -- so some might take the position they are still Goodyears.

[Norm C.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

Soooo Terry...... if your guess is right....& most likely is...... looks like I bought from a seller with quite the imagination........& yet it was so believable......

Any suggestions on the storage question??

[John D.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

Looks as if the tire was made in the 23rd week of 1972

So how would you know David??? I mean you only worked for Goodyear for 1/2 century.

[Terry M.]

Re: DOT Tire Dates

I really don't think it matters whether they are mounted or unmounted -- except if mounted one could fill them with nitrogen. This is the one place that snake oil might (and I emphasize MIGHT) be a benefit. Keep them in a dark, cool place. If possible store them upright -- not resting on their side. If I were to treat them with anything it would be Aerospace 303, but I'm not sure there is any benefit long-term to that or any other treatment. On the other hand it probably won't hurt.

This is all my opinion, and I am sure there are other good opinions out there. I think the most important is cool and dark -- after that it is all a matter of small increments.

I have some other data at home that might confirm my 2004 - 2005 guess. I'll have to check on that later.