Chevy HHR Network - Tire Age by DOT # on the tire- Thanks to Carolyn from Cooper who called me

Thanks to Carolyn from Cooper who called me. i had emailed them in the quest for RWL or OWL 16 and 17 in tires for the HHR

she informed me they just dont make RWL tires anymore unless you are a light truck, SUV or a muscle car w 14 and 15 in wheels. lots of those around all over.

i may actually see if i can find some 15" 5-110 wheels for my Shaggy so i can have White letter tires for the rest of its life

i just talked w Carolyn from Cooper Tires at the HDQ. amazing she even called me
they only make a Cobra GT in a 295/55/R16 and that is one wide tire.

she also told me that they have not made a Cobra GT in 215/55/R16 since before 2000 so if you find one, beware it may be really old stock.

if you find one you or you want to know how old the tire is you are buying, you need to check the DOT # on the tire or have the person on the phone get it off the tire for you to see how old it is and here is how you know.

the DOT# is only on one side of the tire and she told me most mount the tire w the DOT# on the inside. i checked all of mine and she is right.

so here is how you tell.

digits 1-2 ---- where it is made (we will not know how to figure it out)
digits 3-4 ---- Size of the tire
digits 5-7 ---- model of the tire
digits 8-9 ---- week of year tire was made
digits 10 (if 10 digits only) is for tires 90 to 99 and earlier--- so if it is a 6 it is 96 and 9 for 99
digits 10-11 (if 11 digits only) for 2000 and up 00 for 2000, 01 for 2001 and so on

thought you might like to know this next time you buy your tires and i thanked her for the information and asked her to see if she could find out if anything was in the works for 16 and up size raised white letter tires and she said she would do some asking and she said she had my email and contact information

i also told her to check out our site
She was really great
Thank you Carolyn