What To Look For When Buying Tires For A Car May 2026

Look for these Department of Transportation (DOT) ratings printed on the sticker or sidewall:

Before shopping, look at the "placard" inside your driver-side door jamb or your current tire's sidewall. P (Passenger) or LT (Light Truck). what to look for when buying tires for a car

Always get an alignment when buying four new tires to ensure they wear evenly. Look for these Department of Transportation (DOT) ratings

Rubber degrades over time, even if the tire has never been driven. Locate the DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits represent the of manufacture. what to look for when buying tires for a car

Example: 3223 means the tire was made in the .