Anyone know how to read these numbers? Im almost sure but I want to be 100% before I blow a gasket in my head...

I bought the car about 3 weeks ago now. It had NEWER tires on the back, there were still stubbies there to show how new... the previoius owner had a blow out on one and opted to replace just the rears. I just had one of those newer tires on the rear blow out on me this evening while driving on the highway.

Im pretty sure the dates are after the DOT right? I have this:

DOT B938 L4NX

To my understanding, these arent very old at all and should not have blown prematurely... (har har funny joke)

Thanks!

Well, usually the DOT code is as follows:

1980-2000, DOT (plant code) (3-digit manufacture date)
2000+, DOT (Plant Code) (4-digit manufacture date)

Example:(fictitious)

DOT 123 189 - Plant 123, Date: 18th week of 9th year of decade (1989) (1999 would be 189^)

DOT 123 1809 - Plant 123, Date: 18th week of 2009.

There is also another place to look other than the DOT code.

There may be a number in a "box". Something like 7TR0708 (fictitious) but that would mean: 7TR (shift code) 0708 (7th week of 2008).

In your case, I'd think there is that number in a "box".

More info for you.

The DOT code only needs to be complete on ONE side of the tire. Looks like in your case it is on the other side because the 3 or 4 digit date code will ALWAYS be ONLY numbers.

Michelin tires huh

Gotta love them... their still getting an earful tomorrow. These tires should have no reason to blow out... ill go try and find some more numbers but thats all I could find...

Thanks for the info Louis!

Last tid bit for ya...


DOT
B9 - Michelin
38 - Tire Size Code
L4NX - Manufacturer Code
**** - Date Code Missing

Check the other tires, the DOT should be 10-12 digit complete.

Found it...

1007... so 10th week of 07... is that a sufficient time to blow out though?

Unless they were dry rotted or improperly lubricated on install I'd say no...check with Michelin for recalls, it may be a known issue.

Size and model?

Also, was the tire ever run flat? They usually have a ring around the sidewall where the rubber has overheated and inside the tire will be a whole lot of fine rubber shavings.

The were never run flat to my understanding... Ive always maintained the correct pressure. Never to the max...

Ill look into the recalls... it was "professionally" installed at Active Green and Ross so let's see today what they plan to do for me lol

I called Michelin direct today. I am bringing it to a licenesed inspection center to have examined to make sure it wasnt something else that broke the tire.

Only issue Im having now is 3 tires will have different tread wear, on an AWD car??? Thats not really right in my opinion.

Michelin on had a recall about 1 - 2 ago only on one model and size.

225/50R17 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 93V.

Would separate at the seem.

These were 215's I believe... so no recall for me?

It's still possible for a tire to fail from defect without it being commonplace enough to warrant a recall.

There are also a ton of other things that can cause a blowout (foreign objects, curbs, bad valve stems, bad patches, excessive speed, etc etc) which are more likely than a tire spontaneously coming apart. But without seeing the tire I can't really say much of anything for sure.

Well I took it to a shop, ended up a smalllll tiny nail punctured it and he said thats why it had exploded on me...

Michelin was ready to give me a deal though.. But I found a set for $60 and put them on for $40... so $100 and pretty good tires was a better deal