Discount Tire just lost my business
The last 3 or 4 numbers are the week and year of manufacture. They went to 4 numbers at the year 2000. Before that it was 3. Therefore, a dot number 2004 means it was manufactured the 20th week of 2004. 398 means the 39th week of 98 ... or 88.
And according to most tire manufacturers, the best tire should on the drive wheels. If the customer asks for a rotate that we don't think is necessary, we tell them. If they say rotate anyway, we rotate.