Close-up of tire sidewall DOT code 'EDW9 CJWX 0401' on a rusty s…

These tires are critically old. DOT recommends no older than 6 years, and these are almost 8 (0401 = 04th week of 2001).

For more info, including the DOT code (date of mfr.), see this:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/brochure.html
The "DOT" number has three 4-digit groups; the first two contain the manufacturer ID & other proprietary info; the last group is the date code in this format: the production week (00-52) & 2-digit year. So the last group for a tire built the 40th week of 2012 would be "4012".
https://www.safercar.gov/Vehicle-Shoppers/Tires-Rating/Tire-Aging

Owner caption November 2009 · Photo 13 of 434