A local tire distributor has published a warning about tampered tire production date markings on tires circulating the market today. Based on a Facebook post made by Nitto Tire Philippines, a Japanese tire manufacturer known for its aftermarket SUV and pickup truck tires, the brand is warning the public about tampered production date markings on old tires to make them seem as fresh sets. The brand is encouraging consumers to carefully inspect and be vigilant in making tire purchases.
Often referred to as tire DOT, tire manufacturing dates came to public attention only when people learned about tire DOT markings. The DOT, which actually stands for the US Department of Transportation, had come up with the standard requiring tires to have identification numbers. Among the many meanings of the identification number is the tire manufacturing date, which many consumers eventually came to understand.
For those who still don’t know, the last four digits of the identification number on a tire’s sidewall indicate the tire’s manufacturing date, expressed as the number of weeks in a year. For example, if the last four digits read “5226,” it translates to the tire being made in the 52nd week of 2026.
As more consumers became aware of the tire production date, it is only natural that buyers have since preferred getting the latest tire manufactured. With this, unscrupulous fraudsters have been taking advantage of this consumer preference by tampering with tire DOT manufacturing dates and selling them as fresh sets.
Autocar Philippines was able to further discuss the issue with YHI Philippines, Inc., Nitto Tire’s official Philippine distributor, through its general manager Jason Delloso. The company strongly condemns the immoral practice and believes it is downright unethical to sell tires with tampered tire production date markings. “Though we assure that properly-stored Nitto Tires maintain quality even after a couple of years on the shelf, tampering with DOT markings is a scam and its intention is to deceive customers,” said Delloso.
The brand has posted comparison photos of tampered tire production date markings against official factory-made ones, to educate consumers on what to look out for. As mentioned in the infographics, things to check include: uneven or inconsistent engraving or embossing, misaligned characters, and signs of re-stamping or replacement.
Being extra vigilant and only dealing with authorized tire dealers are some of the ways a consumer can do. The brand also offers help in checking the legitimacy of its dealers. “To give buyers peace of mind, we urge everyone to purchase only at authorized Nitto dealers. Feel free to message our official Facebook page to lead you to one nearest you,” Delloso shared.
Autocar’s Take
Amid rising fuel prices, purchasing a set of new tires is likely a hard decision for many car owners these days. Understandably, one would most likely prioritize fuel budget over allocating funds to buy a new set of rubber in today’s gas prices. So when a car owner buys, it is probably out of necessity. Knowing that there are dishonest businesses out there trying to scam people in these trying times is really infuriating.
Due diligence is key. Keep in mind the things to look out for when checking tire DOT markings. Do not be afraid to verify before purchasing a set, especially nowadays, when the term: hard-earned money, is far more meaningful than ever.
