A guide to finding information about your tires

Tires are often "out of sight, out of mind" until a problem arises. However, many drivers don't know where to start if something goes wrong with their tires. Our local auto repair mechanics are here to help! Additional information about your vehicle's tires can be found in three places: on the tire information panel, on the sidewall of the tire (DOT number), and in the owner's manual. Read on to learn more from the Chapel Hill Tire experts. 

Tire Information Panel

What should be the pressure in my car's tires? Where can I find tire size information? 

As winter approaches, drivers often find that their vehicles have low tire pressures. Also, when buying new tires online, you need to know the tire sizes. Fortunately, this understanding is easy to discover. 

Information about tire pressure (PSI) and tire sizes can be found on the tire information panel. Simply open the driver's side door and look at the door frame parallel to the driver's seat. There you will find information about your recommended tire pressure and the indicated size/dimensions of your tires. 

Tire sidewalls: tire DOT number

Where can I find information about my tire age? 

Information about the age and manufacturer of your tires can be found on the sidewall of your tires. This can be a little tricky to read, so make sure you have good lighting before you start. Look for a number beginning with DOT (Department of Transportation) on the side of the tires. 

• The first two digits or letters after DOT are the tire manufacturer/factory code.
• The next two numbers or letters are your tire size code. 
• The next three digits are your tire manufacturer's code. For drivers, these first three sets of numbers or letters are generally only relevant in the event of a recall or manufacturer issues. 
• The last four digits are the date your tire was manufactured. The first two digits represent the week of the year, and the second two digits represent the year. For example, if this number were 4221. This would mean that your tires were produced in the 42nd week (end of October) of 2021. 

You can find more information in our guide to reading DOT tire numbers here. 

Vehicle operation manual

Finally, you can also find information about your tires by flipping through the pages of your owner's manual or by researching your vehicle on the Internet. The owner's manual can often be found in the glove box, and you can use the pointer to jump straight to the tire section. However, this is often a more time-consuming process than obtaining information about tires from the sources listed above. Also, if you're still having a hard time finding information about your tires, consider talking to a local tire specialist. 

Talk to a Tire Expert: Chapel Hill Tires

Chapel Hill Tire specialists are experts in all aspects of tires and car care. We're here to help with any tire questions or problems you may have. Our mechanics are easy to find close to 9 Triangle locations in Raleigh, Apex, Durham, Carrborough and Chapel Hill! You can explore our coupon page, make an appointment here online, or give us a call to get started today! 

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