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
Transportation 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
represent 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
permissible 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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