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djbroughton
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013

Date code on Michelin Tires

When I purchased my 06 Monaco this past March in Mesa, one of the things I noticed was the original rear dual tires, although near new were over 5 years old. I decided to replace the tires simply because of their age and made arrangements with a retailer explaining why I wanted new tires and was assured that the replacements would be "fresh from the factory" (I forget the exact words used but I made it clear that I was only replacing them because of age).

The tires were installed without me being present, I picked up the motorhome and started heading home to Canada. It wasn't until later that I found the dates code on at least the two rear tires I could see read 4212, meaning they were manufactured in the 42nd week of 2012 or at least 5 months previous.

The retailer has been trying to tell me that Michelin tires are at least 6 months old when they receive them. Has anyone had a similar experience?
  • Just had two front replaced last Thursday, XZA2 2.75X70X22.5, 14 weeks old.. Date is 2713 and best I can count was made the week of July 4th.. Mike Mathews..
  • They make tires in batches. They might make your size once a year. 5 months old is excellent. I wouldn't have replaced Michelin's just because they were 5 years old, that is half of their design life. Just spending money because you have some spare, in my book, but each to their own.

    Brian
  • John&Joey wrote:
    Welcome to the real world vs the internet forums. Tires can be a year old or more when you buy them brand new.


    Yes I agree.especially big 295x22.5 tires made in germany.There is no way in this world they could produce those tires,ship to NA warehouse
    then ship to a tire dealer and only have 3 weeks time lapse
  • Welcome to the real world vs the internet forums. Tires can be a year old or more when you buy them brand new.
  • KazooTom wrote:
    I replaced all 6 of my Michelin XRV's last april. The oldest two were 3 weeks old, the other 4 were only 2 weeks old. My dealer was also able to get the date codes on his computer when ordering.


    Tons of those tires are made overseas? How would Michlen make a tire in say germany and ship it over here and have it in warehouse stock ready to ship to a dealer in 2 weeks? let alone 2 months.Those tires that are 2 weeks old? what size were they and where were they made.
  • It depends on what is at the warehouse and time of year. Mine were 2 and 3 months old if I remember correctly. I didn't think that was bad considering mine were made in Europe. Like hershey, they were able to tell me the age of the tires when ordered.
  • I replaced all 6 of my Michelin XRV's last april. The oldest two were 3 weeks old, the other 4 were only 2 weeks old. My dealer was also able to get the date codes on his computer when ordering.
  • Not true for all retailers. My Michelins were 2 months old when installed by a Big O Tire location in a tiny town in WY. BTW: I gave the dealer a 4 month leeway on the date code and he assured me that wouldn't be a problem. As a matter of fact, he knew the date of the tires in the main warehouse on the computer as I placed the order.