20/20 To Air Piece On Tires - Montana Owners Club

Waynem · 05-08-2008, 02:54 AM

Just watched on GMA that 20/20 will air a piece on tires and how to read the code on the tire.

I just might have to watch that Friday night.

VanMan · 05-08-2008, 03:37 AM

For those who are not aware - Glenn posted a really comprehensive explanation of how to read the sidewalls with a link from the MOC Home Page http://www.montanaowners.com/tiresidewall.html

Waynem · 05-10-2008, 04:58 PM

Well, after 20/20 and re-reading Glenn's link I went out and check all the new Michelins I had put on Hanna this week.

The date code is 0408. Whoooppppiii! I have timere that are newer than the manufacture of the trailer, but of course I had to pay for them. I'm not sorry.

Leaving tomorrow for 4000 mile round trip.

hazmic · 05-11-2008, 03:14 PM

I have told friends and members of our little camper club about reading the DOT numbers on their tires. After 5 years old that you should think about getting new ones. Ever get the feeling that you are talking to yourself? They hear but do not listen.

Exnavydiver · 05-11-2008, 04:33 PM

Well this thread just gave me the screaming hee bee gee bees. The Mission tires on my brand new 2008 Big Sky have DOT 1099 so according to the the Reading The Tire Sidewall my tires were made the second week of March 1999. That makes my tires NINE YEARS OLD?!?!? CRAP! If this is the case then someone please let me know. We will be back at our dealer in about a week for a whole list of warranty items and if the tires are in fact that old then they WILL be replaced.. Dave and Betsy

kwolff7 · 05-11-2008, 05:33 PM

I have the same information on my tires that came on the 2008 Big Sky...............I think the DOT 1099 means something else............for one thing tires manufactured before 2000 had only 3 identifying numbers. Look to the right slightly above the 1099 and you will see 7 numbers, mine say 619 0907......I am assuming manufactured the 9th week of 2007. I hope they can be manufactured in China, and come on the slowboat and be put on my Big Sky in May. Otherwise they were manufactured in 1999. If you find out anything different, please let me know.

Ozz · 05-12-2008, 01:29 AM

Dave and Karen, try this link for more info:
http://www.tuninglinx.com/html/car-tire-date-code.html

stiles watson · 05-12-2008, 02:50 AM

Like the guy said on 20/20, the selling of old tires as new boarders on criminal. Thanks to 20/20 and all who have given us a heads up.

Exnavydiver · 05-12-2008, 02:13 PM

Have read all the afore mentioned articles and got the same conclusion My tires have only 4 numerals after the DOT, and that is 1099 which to me means my tires are still 9 years old.. Any other conclusions would be helpful..

Waynem · 05-12-2008, 03:13 PM

From the NHTSA Web site:
------------------------
"U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
This begins with the letters "DOT" and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured, and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997. The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall."
----------------------------

D.O.T Tire Plan Codes

You can do a Google search on DOT TIRE and get a lot of informaiton.

Exnavydiver · 05-12-2008, 04:56 PM

There are no other numbers... Only DOT 1099 period......

**Carl n Susan** · 05-12-2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Exnavydiver

Have read all the afore mentioned articles and got the same conclusion My tires have only 4 numerals after the DOT, and that is 1099 which to me means my tires are still 9 years old.. Any other conclusions would be helpful..

1099 is an impossible date code. Here is yet another explanation of the date code. Refer to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire

Quote:

quote:"The DOT Code is an alphanumeric character sequence molded into the sidewall of the tire for purposes of tire identification. The DOT Code is mandated by the US Department of Transportation. The DOT Code is useful in identifying tires in a product recall.

The DOT Code begins with the letters "DOT" followed by a two numbers or letters plant code that identifies where it was manufactured. The last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. A three-digit code was used for tires manufactured before the year 2000. For example, 178 means it was manufactured in the 17th week of 8th year of the decade. In this case it means 1988. For tires manufactured in the 1990s, the same code holds true, but there is a little triangle (#916 after the DOT code. Thus, a tire manufactured in the 17th week of 1998 would have the code 178#916;. After 2000, the code was switched to a 4-digit code. Same rules apply, so for example, 3003 means the tire was manufactured in the 30th week of 2003."

The "1099" has to be a two character "Plant Code" with two additional (vendor specific) characters. A four digit code has to be year 2000 and later. Year 1999 would be a three digit code (with a triangle). 1099 is not a valid 2000 or later code nor does it meet the format for a 1999 (and earlier) date code. Beside the Plant Code must always immediately follow the letters "DOT"

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by Exnavydiver

There are no other numbers... Only DOT 1099 period......

Have you looked on the inside of the tire. The full DOT code (with the Date Code) is only required to be one one sidewall, not both. In reality, 65% of the time it is on the inside sidewall. The 20/20 show had an excellent explanation (with pictures) of the DOT code format.

Exnavydiver · 05-12-2008, 06:35 PM

This was shot tonight I think you can see everything, if not I will shoot it again in the morning. But seeing is believing..

This is exactly the same on all 5 tires. Impossible it may be but there it is.

SlickWillie · 05-13-2008, 12:33 AM

Just one reminder; everything may not be as it appears here. We'll dealing with a product made in China. Who knows, perhaps they just make up some numbers and put on the tires. I did read somewhere though that the date code is stamped on the sidewall, not molded like the DOT number.

hazmic · 05-19-2008, 09:57 AM

If you have ever had anything to to with bolts ,you will find that our friends from overseas will put on any markings that you want on bolts and I would say after what has happened in the last few months that will say and mark anything with what you want. They have tried to kill our pets and our kids also with lead in the paint. They also are most of the reason our fuel is so high but the leaders think they are great. When it says "China" it's buyer beware. Just my opinion.

Exnavydiver · 05-19-2008, 02:34 PM

All that info is good but the question still stands, does anyone have any idea how old my tires are??

Waynem · 05-19-2008, 02:51 PM

Dave,
All you can do is go by the DOT number, typically a 12 digit combination of letter numbers with the last 4 being numbers representing the week and year of manufacture. Don't go by that big DOT 1099, but the little DOT 12 digit set of numbers (may be 11 if manufactured before 1999)

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