Tire Identification Number (TIN)
The TIN may be found on one or both sides of the tire; however, the date code may only be on one
side. Tires with white sidewalls will have the full TIN, including the date code, located on the white
sidewall side of the tire. Look for the TIN on the outboard side of black sidewall tires as mounted
on the vehicle. If the TIN is not found on the outboard side, then you will find it on the inboard side
of the tire.
EXAMPLE:
DOT MA L9 ABCD 0301
DOT
= Department of Transportation
– This symbol certifies that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation tire safety standards and is approved for highway use
MA
= Code representing the tire manufacturing location (two digits)
L9
= Code representing the tire size (two digits)
ABCD
= Code used by the tire manufacturer (one to four digits)
03
= Number representing the week in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
– 03 means the 3rd week
01
= Number representing the year in which the tire was manufactured (two digits)
– 01 means the year 2001
– Prior to July 2000, tire manufacturers were only required to have one number to repre-
sent the year in which the tire was manufactured. Example: 031 could represent the 3rd
week of 1981 or 1991
Tire Terminology And Definitions
Term
Definition
B-Pillar
The vehicle B-Pillar is the structural member of the body
located behind the front door.
Cold Tire Inflation Pressure
Cold tire inflation pressure is defined as the tire pressure
after the vehicle has not been driven for at least three
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) after sitting for a
minimum of three hours. Inflation pressure is measured in
units of PSI (pounds per square inch) or kPa (kilopascals).
Maximum Inflation Pressure
The maximum inflation pressure is the maximum permis-
sible cold tire inflation pressure for this tire. The maximum
inflation pressure is molded into the sidewall.
Recommended Cold Tire Inflation
Pressure
Vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold tire inflation
pressure as shown on the tire placard.
Tire Placard
A label permanently attached to the vehicle describing the
vehicle’s loading capacity, the original equipment tire sizes
and the recommended cold tire inflation pressures.
M A I N T A I N I N G Y O U R V E H I C L E
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