How Long Do Tires Last?
How long do tires last? If you’re a car owner, you might find yourself asking this question a few times. The answer is, “it depends.” Several factors influence the lifespan of tires that it is hard to pinpoint an exact, or correct, answer. Fortunately, this guide will shed light on the factors that affect the tire’s lifespan so you have some clarity on the answer to the above question and maintenance tips to increase its longevity.
How Long Do Tires Last?
As mentioned, there is no definitive answer to the age of tires. Several variables play into determining how long you should keep your tires before replacing it with a new one. Most experts recommend that you replace your tires after 60,000-75,000 miles or five years, whichever comes first.
However, some tires can go beyond 75,000 miles while others require replacement before reaching 60,000 miles. Let’s evaluate the different factors that affect the lifespan of tires to help you get a better picture of what can add or shorten this lifespan.
Factors That Influence How Long Tires Last
When buying tires, it is crucial to check the manufacturer’s recommendation on how long you should keep your tires. However, the lifespan of tires is dependent on many factors. Let us look into these factors to determine when it’s time to get a new set.
1. The Tire Itself
Modern tires are built different. Some tires are suited for winter driving and other tires offer better ratings on traction and tread wear. Before knowing when to replace your tires, it is essential that you know what kind of tires you have. You will know this by looking at the sidewall of the tire.
One way to determine the lifespan of your tires is to look at the manufacturer’s warranty. Most warranties are designed to cover the tires for as long as it is designed to work. Manufacturers use different design, engineering, and technology when manufacturing tires, and these factors can also affect how long tires can be of service.
2. Road and Climate Conditions
What type of road do your tires typically travel on? Extreme road conditions, such as bumpy roads, potholes, curbs and other obstacles can significantly decrease a tire’s lifespan. On the other hand, harsh climate conditions like extreme sunlight, excessive snow or rain, and extreme weather changes can cause wear on the tires sooner.
While you cannot control or change these factors, there are steps you can take to reduce their impact on your tires and vehicle. For example, you must be extra cautious when driving over potholes and bumpy roads to cause less strain on the tires and vehicle suspension. Meanwhile, adjust your driving style when driving through excessive snow or rain. If you are driving with tires designed for specific weather conditions, you can enjoy enhanced engineering and technology to ensure safety and better driving control.
Either way, you should have your tires and vehicle undergo regular maintenance and inspection if you regularly drive these poor conditions. It will help maintain your car’s condition and keep your tires in good shape.
3. Driving Habits
How you drive your car can impact how long tires last. For example, poor driving habits like sudden braking and quick acceleration cause stress on the tires. When there is an excessive amount of stress on tires, it can wear quickly.
Avoid aggressive driving if you want to extend the lifespan of tires.
4. Maintenance and Care
A well-maintained car and tires can last longer than vehicles that are not regularly maintained and cared for. Make sure to take your vehicle and tires for a scheduled regular maintenance and identify issues that must be fixed before they get worse.
Inflation pressure is a major factor that impact tire wear. Therefore, you should maintain the recommended pressure to extend the lifespan of tires. Not all tires should have the same inflation pressure. Always refer to the sticker or owner’s manual for the correct inflation pressure as suggested by the tire manufacturer.
Tire rotation is another factor that is checked during your car checkup. Rotating your cars by placing the rear tires to the front and vice versa can even out the wear and tear on your vehicle. The weight distribution in your car is not always equal, such that the front load might be heavier causing the front tires to wear out sooner. Or it could be that the rear load is heavier, causing the rear tires to wear out faster. Rotating your tires facilitate for an even wear and tear, allowing them to last longer. It is recommended that you get your tires rotated when you come in for a scheduled oil change.
Lastly, wheel alignment is an important part of your vehicle maintenance that improves the tire lifespan. Properly aligned wheels should point straight ahead in a vertical manner. However, worn suspension components and other factors can knock the wheels out of alignment. When the wheels are misaligned, it can cause uneven wear and tear. This issue is potentially dangerous as it could make the vehicle more difficult to steer.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Tires?
Your tires act as your car’s connection to the road. You cannot overemphasize the benefit of replacing your tires when they’re worn out or exceeded their recommended lifespan.
When is the best time to replace your tires? Here is a quick list of the signs you should look for that indicate you need a new set of tires.
Check the Tire’s Production Year
The tire’s production year is a good place to start when determining if you need a new set of tires. You will find this information on the tire’s sidewall. The manufacture date is denoted in four numbers, but this can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. But the only thing you must pay attention to is the last 4 digits as it indicates the year and week of year when the tires were made.
Inspect for Tire Damage
When there are obvious signs of damage and wear on the tires, you need to replace them. The signs of damage you should look for are visible cracks, bulging, and uneven wear.
If the tires are relatively new, check if your warranty covers for the replacement. Is tire replacement covered under warranty? It depends on the provider as each warranty is different.
Inspect the Tire Tread
The tire tread is one of the first places that you must check if you want to know if you need to replace your tires. The tread is part of the rubber that contacts the road. As you drive, this layer of rubber deteriorates and will thin out.
To check the tire tread, inspect the tire grooves. You must check it alongside the wear indicator point of your tire. If there is no visible signs of wear, the next thing you must do is check it with the tire tread depth indicator tool. It will provide you with a more accurate measurement and any measurement that is lower than 0.16 cm means you should replace your tires.
Tire’s Age Limit
Lastly, tires that have reached their age limit should be replaced. While the general recommendation is to replace your tires every five years or so, some tires can extend up to ten years. However, you absolutely have to replace your tires when they reach the 10-year threshold. This recommendation also applies to spare tires.
How to Make Tires Last Longer
Once you know how long do tires last, it’s time to take measures that will extend the tire lifespan. While it is inevitable that tires will experience wear and tear, the process of experiencing wear speeds up when you don’t take precautions.
• Check your tires at least once a month, especially when you are about to go on a long drive. Under-inflated tire pressure causes premature wear, as well as over-inflated tires. You should also check the spare tires once a year.
• Avoid driving through curbs, bumps, and more. The more shock the car experiences, the more it can wear the tires. It can also cause the wheels to go out of alignment.
• When alternating tires for summer or winter, you should store the unused tires properly. Choose a clean and airy space for keeping your tires to avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures. Keep them away from direct sunlight.
• Visit a tire professional. They are skilled and knowledgeable about tires so they can assess your tire condition more accurately than you can.
• Secure a road hazard tire and wheel protection for your peace of mind. This protection covers damage from curbs, potholes and various road hazards. It also covers the cost of repair, replacement, and other basic services designed to help your tires last.
Conclusion
Proper care and maintenance are crucial steps to extend a tire’s lifespan. However, it is crucial to identify signs when it requires a replacement to ensure you can get the best performance out of your tires under the condition it is designed for. And the best preventive step to encountering any tire problems is to regularly check your tires and invest in the best quality tires designed to last.
FAQs
How often should I replace my tires?
Check your tires for signs of wear and tear within the three- to four-year period. Most car owners replace their tires in the five- or six-year threshold. But it depends on the road conditions you’re driving on, your tires, and driving habits as these can contribute to the wear and tear of your tires.
Are 5 year old tires safe?
Yes. Tires over five years old are perfectly safe, as long as you constantly check that their tread quality is still good.
When to rotate tires?
Ideally, you must rotate your tires every six months or once it reaches 6,000 miles. It ensures an even wear for all your tires, allowing them to last longer.
Do I need to replace all four tires?
Yes. Replacing all four tires at once is recommended. It ensures the best performance and handling. If the tire quality doesn’t match, it can make your vehicle difficult to control.
Should I get new tires or an alignment first?
You can get an alignment before or after putting on new tires. According to car experts, aligning with worn-out tires will only affect the vehicle’s ride height, which is negligible.
