How many years tires last and how to read the DOT code
The production date is in the last four digits of the DOT code on the tire: 2124 means week 21 of 2024. Michelin recommends inspecting tires older than 5 years every year and replacing them no later than 10 years after production, even if they still have enough tread.
How to read the DOT code
On the sidewall of the tire there is a sequence starting with DOT. The last four digits, usually in an oval frame, are the production date: the first two are the week and the last two the year. 2124 means week 21 of 2024, and 0325 means week 3 of 2025. Sometimes the code is only on one side of the tire.
How many years tires last
Tires age even when they are not driven: the rubber hardens and loses grip. Michelin recommends having tires older than 5 years checked at a tire shop at least once a year, and replacing them no later than 10 years after the production date, including the spare.
When to replace them sooner
- Worn tread. Tires have wear indicators, small bumps in the grooves at a height of 1.6 mm. When the tread is level with them, the tire needs replacing. For winter equipment the law requires at least 4 mm, see Winter equipment in North Macedonia.
- Cracks on the sidewall or between the tread blocks.
- A bulge on the sidewall: the structure is damaged and the tire must be replaced immediately.
- Uneven wear: usually a sign of incorrect pressure or wheel alignment.
How to make them last longer
- Check the pressure once a month, see Tire pressure in cold weather.
- Store seasonal tires in a dry, dark and cool place, away from sources of heat.
When it is time for new ones, see our winter, summer and all-season tires.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the production date on a tire?
In the last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall: the week and year of production, for example 2124 = week 21 of 2024.
Is a 10-year-old tire safe if it still has tread?
Michelin recommends replacing tires no later than 10 years after production, regardless of tread, because the tire ages and hardens.
More guides
- Winter equipment in North Macedonia: when it is mandatory and what the law requires - In North Macedonia winter equipment is mandatory from 15 November to 15 March. Passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes need winter tires on all four wheels with at least 4 mm of tread, or summer tires with at least 4 mm of tread plus chains for the drive wheels. The fine is the denar equivalent of 45 euros. This season it starts on 15 November 2026.
- All-season or winter tires: which should you choose? - All-season tires marked M+S or with the mountain snowflake count as winter equipment in North Macedonia, as long as the tread is at least 4 mm. They are a good choice for city driving and mild winters without changing tires twice a year. For mountain roads and frequent snow, true winter tires grip better.
- How much does a tire change cost in Skopje? - At Ceres, fitting and removing one 15 or 16-inch tire costs 150 MKD and balancing 200 MKD, 1,400 MKD in total for four tires. For 13 and 14-inch tires the four cost 1,000 MKD, for 17 and 18-inch 1,800 MKD. Prices are per tire, from the October 2026 price list.
- M+S or 3PMSF: winter tire markings explained - M+S (mud and snow) means the tread is designed for mud and snow, but no test is required for the marking. A tire only gets the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) if it passes a standard snow test. In North Macedonia both markings count as winter tires.