When to Replace Your Tires

You’re driving along the highway and you hear a thumping noise. You hope it’s nothing, but as you keep driving the noise gets louder. You pull over to the side of the road and take a look and see that you have a flat tire. This is just one example of when you might need to replace your tires.

Tires are an important part of your car, providing traction, stability, and safety. But they don’t last forever. Depending on the type of driving you do, your tires may only last for 30,000 miles or they could last for 60,000 miles. If you drive mostly on highways, your tires will last longer than if you drive in the city where there are more potholes and other objects that can damage your tires.

How often should you replace your tires?

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It depends on a combination of how fast they wear out, how many miles they’ve traveled and how old they are. It’s important to pay attention to the condition of your tires and not just how many miles they’ve driven. Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors.

Wear and Tear

One way to tell if your tires need to be replaced is to simply look at them. If you see cracks, bulges, or bald spots, it’s time for new tires. Another way to tell is by the tread depth. The tread depth is the distance between the top of the tire and the bottom of the groove. The deeper the groove, the more tread on the tire. Most passenger car tires have a tread depth of 10/32” when they’re new. When the tread gets down to 4/32” it’s time to replace the tire. You can check your tread depth with a tire gauge or by using a quarter.

Mileage

Even if the tread on your tires looks good, you may still need to replace them if they’ve driven a lot of miles. The mileage limit for tires varies depending on the manufacturer, but it’s typically between 30,000 and 50,000 miles. If you drive more than this in a year, you may need to replace your tires more often.

Age

Tires also have an expiration date, regardless of how many miles they’ve driven. The rubber in tires degrades over time and can become brittle. This can cause cracks and other problems. Most tires have a lifespan of six years. After this, you should replace them, even if they look fine.

Why do tires need to be replaced?

No mechanical parts of your car lasts forever, and tires are no different. They are made of rubber, which degrades over time. In addition, they are constantly exposed to the elements, which can speed up the degradation process. Tires also suffer wear and tear from use. The more you drive, the faster they will wear out.

How to tell when to replace tires

When you take your car to be serviced, the mechanic will usually check the condition of your tires and let you know if they need to be replaced. You can also do a visual inspection yourself. Here are some common signs that it’s time for new tires:

Vibration

If you feel your car vibrating, it could be a sign that your tires are unbalanced or worn.

Hydroplaning

You may not be able to tell if your tires are worn, but you can certainly tell if they’re hydroplaning. If your car starts to “float” on the water, it’s time for new tires.

Cupping

This is a condition where the tread on your tire starts to wear unevenly. You’ll see small “cups” on the surface of the tire.

Balding

If your tires are balding, it means they have little to no tread left. This is extremely dangerous and you should replace your tires immediately.

How to prolong the life of your tires

There are a few things you can do to prolong the life of your tires and make sure they last as long as possible. First, rotate them regularly. This ensures that they wear evenly and helps prevent cupping. Second, keep them inflated to the proper pressure. This helps with fuel economy and prevents premature wear. Finally, avoid driving on rough roads or in extreme weather conditions when possible. This will help prevent damage to your tires.

What are the consequences of not replacing your tires?

If you don’t replace your tires when they need it, you could be putting yourself at risk. Worn out tires can cause skidding and loss of traction, which can lead to accidents. In addition, bald or damaged tires can blow out suddenly, causing you to lose control of your vehicle. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to the condition of your tires and replace them when necessary.