If the numbers look faded due to tire shine or abrasion, rub a piece of chalk over the sidewall. The chalk will stick to the raised numbers, making them pop out.
A lot of customers ask: "My Nexen tires have 8/32" of tread left, why do I need to look at the date code?" nexen date code
This is where the comes into play.
This degradation causes the rubber to harden and lose its elasticity. A tire that looks brand new with deep tread but is ten years old could suffer a catastrophic blowout without warning. The structural integrity of the steel belts can separate, and the sidewall can become brittle. If the numbers look faded due to tire