Full loading, summer heat and long motorway stretches stress tires more than short everyday journeys. A quick check before departure shows whether tread, tire pressure and condition are plausible. Allow ten minutes for this with cold tires. Any anomalies should be checked at a specialist workshop before the trip.
Tire check at a glance
| Inspection point | What to look for |
|---|---|
| DOT number | The last four digits indicate the production week and year, for example 1523 for the 15th week of 2023. |
| Tread | Summer tires for passenger cars up to 3.5 tonnes require a minimum tread depth of 1.6 millimetres in Austria. |
| Tire pressure | Check with cold tires according to the vehicle specification and adjust for heavy loads according to the owner’s manual. |
| Damage | Watch for cracks, bulges, cuts, foreign objects and uneven wear. |
| Roadside assistance | Also check the spare wheel or the expiry date of the sealant in the puncture kit. |
1. Read the DOT: manufacturing date instead of expiry date
The DOT marking is on the tire sidewall. The decisive part is the last four digits: the first two indicate the calendar week and the last two the year. However, the number alone does not mean a tire must automatically be replaced. According to ÖAMTC there is no general statutory age limit. Storage, mileage, UV light and temperature influence ageing. If there are visible cracks, hardened rubber or uncertain handling, a professional assessment is advisable.
2. Measure tread at several points
Measure with a tread depth gauge in the main tread grooves, not just at a convenient spot. The legal minimum of 1.6 millimetres is a minimum requirement, not a comfort value for a long drive in the rain. If the inner and outer shoulders are worn unevenly, this can indicate incorrect tire pressure or a problem with the suspension or wheel alignment.
3. Adjust tire pressure to the load
The correct value is listed depending on the vehicle in the owner’s manual, on the door frame or on the fuel flap. Use the value given there for the actual load. ÖAMTC recommends adjusting the tire pressure for heavy loads before longer trips. Also check the spare wheel, if one is present. After the trip, return the pressure to the value intended for everyday use.
4. Check sidewalls, tread and puncture kit
- Check all four tires all around for bulges, deep cracks and cuts.
- Inspect treads for foreign objects and conspicuous spots.
- If pressure loss recurs, don’t just keep topping up — have the cause checked.
- Check the puncture kit’s expiry date, compressor and instructions.
Österreich.gv.at explicitly lists visible cracks down to the carcass as well as delaminations on the tread or sidewall as unacceptable. If there is a bulge or deep damage, the car should not be planned for the holiday trip until a professional inspection has taken place.
When to go straight to the workshop?
A workshop appointment makes sense if a tire is losing air, wearing unevenly, vibrating or showing visible damage. According to ÖAMTC, an upcoming service or inspection (Pickerl) should also preferably be done before a long trip. A quick look in the driveway does not replace a technical inspection of brakes, suspension and wheel mounting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tires need to be changed after a certain age?
There is no uniform statutory age limit. DOT, condition, usage and a professional inspection should be considered together.
Is the wear indicator in the tread enough?
It shows whether the legal minimum has been reached. For a planned long-distance trip, measuring at several points is more informative.
For the rest of your preparation, our tips on Passports and identity cards valid? and on Holiday start stuck in traffic with children. For a rental car, the Rental car handover with photos and deposit check the check.
Sources: Österreich.gv.at on minimum tread depth and tire damage, ÖAMTC vehicle check before the holiday trip 2026 and ÖAMTC on DOT number and tire age.
As of: 26 July 2026. The feature image is an AI-generated illustrative image (gpt-image-2).
