Tire Date Code deciphering

**mockingbird812** · #1 02-27-2005, 09:37 PM

Need some help deciphering. I have 5 Goodyear "Polyglas-F70-14" tires. The following are the stamped codes on the back of the tires under the "DOT".

MDLD Y4A403 (spare)
MULD BBB388 (RF)
MULD BBB388 (LF)
MULD BBB388 (RR)
MULD BBB218 (LR)

Thanks,
Sam

**mockingbird812** · #2 02-28-2005, 07:45 AM

Any tire experts out there? Would appreciate a reference for future use.

Thanks,
Sam

**Mr70** · #3 02-28-2005, 07:48 AM

I thought the last digit is Year.
At least that's what I've been told by some.
But then others say first digit is year,so...

DOT's were after 1969(?),so they could be 1973 & 78 dates.
I do know your MFG initials are true to that era.
Not like the current repro today showing McCreary MFG.
The do fit the same Format of a set I have here.

**69L78** · #4 03-01-2005, 12:52 AM

I have a set of 4 F70-14 Goodyear's also the codes on mine are all the same: CYLD B5KJ043. I will sell these if anyone is interested.

**Mr70** · #5 03-01-2005, 02:36 AM

CYLD is McCreary MFG.,& they started reproducing in the mid 1980's into to today.

**mockingbird812** · #6 03-01-2005, 06:01 PM

A fellow over at TC gave me this info. Thot some of you may be interested as well:

http://www.unionlabel.org/dobuy/tires.asp

This site indicates which manufacturer and which plant (and which Union no.) is indicated by the first 2 ltr code following "DOT". In my case the tire with "MD" is for the Goodyear plant in Gadsden, AL made by USWA Local Union No. 12L. The "MU" indicated on the rest of the tires on my car are not called out at this website. I was told these tires were original to the car.

The TC dude also stated: "The date code is the last three digits. An example code of 228 indicates that a tire was made in the 22nd week of 1998."
My response to this was: "As far as the date code goes, how do you differentiate the year of manufacture since they only use one number to represent the year? i.e. 228= 22nd week of 98, or 88, or 78 or, etc."

Will keep you posted.

Sam

ohhawk · #7 03-01-2005, 06:48 PM

I went to the Goodyear website a couple of years ago to check if 4 F70 x 14 Goodyear Polyglas RWL tires I had were original or original replacements. I gave them the codes off the 4 tires. They sent me a response with the answer and told me where they were mfg. Don't know if they can break down the entire coding though. You could also try Kelsey Tire to see what they might be able to offer.

**mockingbird812** · #8 03-01-2005, 07:26 PM

Thanks ohhawk,

What is the consensus on when the DOT manufuacturer/date codes were started?

Sam

**Lynn** · #9 03-05-2005, 08:13 AM

I have an original nylon cord wide tread gt E 70 15. Where do I look for the date code?

Lynn

**Lynn** · #10 03-05-2005, 08:33 PM

Found a stamped code of UFO5C23, so I am assuming 1975, March 23.

I always thought it was an original spare, but evidently was made in 1975. Still says nylon cord on the side.

Can anyone answer Sam's question. When did the raised DOT mark come into use?

Lynn

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