“OOXX” instead of manufacturing date on the tire sidewall

[Interleukin6]

Just have got 4 brand new Michelin Primacy LTX tires (original) purchased and installed at Chevy dealer but I found “OOXX” as manufacturing date on the sidewall instead of 4 digits of actual numbers. What does “OOXX” mean? Is it something old/rebuilt/renewed one? Thx.

Edited October 14, 2025 by Interleukin6

[Interleukin6]

Oh I just noticed the new tires are missing 4 digits of numbers (manufacturing #of week and year) after “OOXX” because the original tires had “OOFX” followed by “2021” I think dealer mounted the new tires backwards? I can’t check them right now because of heavy rain. If it is the reason, is it ok to mount these tires backwards? I don’t see any mark saying these tires are directional.

[Joe Drives]

I have 006X, then the week and year of manufacture to the right of this in a separate oval. 

 

I don't know what the 006X represents. This marking is on Michelin Defender LTX M/S.

[PhilB]

Check out this website:  https://www.wheel-size.com/articles/dot-codes/

 

Look under "Understanding Tire Type Codes in DOT Numbers"

[Interleukin6]

I confirm these tires mounted inside out by dealer saying it is still ok. The manufacturing date code is currently on the inside sidewall. However, the thread pattern is obviously asymmetrical which must be installed outside outwards. What should I do?

Edited October 14, 2025 by Interleukin6

[Joe Drives]

I did a chat on the Michelin website and the below was their response. I used my size of 265/65R18 as an example. 

Michelin's response below.

"The Primacy LTX can be mounted in any direction in your tire size."

 

Recommend performing the same chat or contact the manufacturer another way with your size to receive your specific tire information. 

[newdude]

19 hours ago, Interleukin6 said:

Just have got 4 brand new Michelin Primacy LTX tires (original) purchased and installed at Chevy dealer but I found “OOXX” as manufacturing date on the sidewall instead of 4 digits of actual numbers. What does “OOXX” mean? Is it something old/rebuilt/renewed one? Thx.

 

17 hours ago, Interleukin6 said:

Oh I just noticed the new tires are missing 4 digits of numbers (manufacturing #of week and year) after “OOXX” because the original tires had “OOFX” followed by “2021” I think dealer mounted the new tires backwards? I can’t check them right now because of heavy rain. If it is the reason, is it ok to mount these tires backwards? I don’t see any mark saying these tires are directional.

 

2 hours ago, Interleukin6 said:

I confirm these tires mounted inside out by dealer saying it is still ok. The manufacturing date code is currently on the inside sidewall. However, the thread pattern is obviously asymmetrical which must be installed outside outwards. What should I do?

 

 

 

 

 

Primacy LTX is symmetric tread.  It can be mounted either way and has no markings of "INSIDE" and "OUTSIDE" to designate it being an asymmetric tread.  

"OOXX" is the DOT digits indicating the manufacturer tire product code.

 

If your last 4 digits, the week and year of production actually do say "2021", I'd question the dealer as to if they are actually brand new tires they got from a tire distributor, or if they were new takeoffs.  Those would be a 4 year old tire.  Its not out of the ordinary for certain tires, especially if they are lower volume, but its a bit concerning.  

[Interleukin6]

Sorry for confusion. “2021” was on the  prior stock tire and I found “2325” on the inside sidewall of the brand new tire.  Thank you for good information.

[Interleukin6]

9 hours ago, Joe Drives said:

I did a chat on the Michelin website and the below was their response. I used my size of 265/65R18 as an example. 

Michelin's response below.

"The Primacy LTX can be mounted in any direction in your tire size."

 

Recommend performing the same chat or contact the manufacturer another way with your size to receive your specific tire information. 

Actually I called Michelin and got the same info you told me. Thank you so much.