Full Answer
When do you really need new tires?
- When a tire is damaged after recently purchasing your vehicle
- If your car has low mileage and has not been driven much
- You JUST replaced all four tires and got unlucky with a puncture
How often should you replace your car tires?
When to Replace Tires
- Keep an Eye on the Miles. All tires are rated for a certain number of miles. ...
- Tread Depth. This is one of the most obvious visual signs that you can rely on. ...
- Uneven Wear. ...
- Sidewall Cracks. ...
- Tires Bulging. ...
- You See the Indicator Bar. ...
- You Feel the Car Vibrate. ...
- Check the Dates of the Tires. ...
When your flat tire may need to be replaced?
Upon further inspection one of your tires is completely flat. Maybe you are driving on the highway and your tire pressure light goes off. If you ignore it then you might need to replace the tire. Depending on how your tire became flat in the first place can tell you if your tire needs to be replaced. How do you get a flat tire?
When do tires begin to 'go bad'?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for this question but tires definitely have an expiration date. Generally, experts are of the opinion that tires should be inspected after six years and be replaced after 10 years no matter how effective they seem.
How long on average do all-season tires last?
between three and five yearsOn average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
How often should you replace your all-season tires?
Tires also degrade even when they are not being used. The NHTSA recommends that tires be replaced every six years regardless of the number of miles driven. Proper inflation is the Holy Grail of tire maintenance.
How do you know if you need new all-season tires?
0:161:35How Do I Know It's Time to Replace My Tires? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnother is to look for tread wear indicators which are ribs inside the grooves that run across theMoreAnother is to look for tread wear indicators which are ribs inside the grooves that run across the tire surface if the tread has worn down to that level then you know it's time for a replacement.
How can you tell if all-season tires are still good?
0:221:18How to check your tire tread - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo just put the two knee in the tread. If it reaches the Bears paws. They're probably new if itMoreSo just put the two knee in the tread. If it reaches the Bears paws. They're probably new if it reaches all the way across the silver there are about 50% worn.
Are 5 year old tires safe?
Old tires are dangerous, regardless of tread depth. While there's no federally sanctioned safety guidance on when a tire is too old to be safe, many carmakers recommend replacement at six years from the date of manufacture. Old tires have been the culprit in fatal accidents.
Should you replace all tires at once?
It's always best to replace all 4 tires at the same time. This is because all 4 tires spin independently of one another, and different tread depths and/or styles can cause them to spin at different speeds. That could potentially damage the drive train, and possibly affect an indirect TPMS system if the vehicle has one.
Do I need to replace tires at 5 32?
5/32” is still sufficient in most cases, but tires may start to lose traction on wet roads. 4-3/32” is the level at which you should think about choosing a new tire/set of tires. 2/32” is the average legal minimum for tread depth; at this level your tires are considered bald and unsafe.
Do I need to replace tires at 4 32?
Put George Washington's head into one of the big grooves. If the top of his head is flush with the tread, you have about 4⁄32 inch of tread left, meaning you have some grip remaining for rainy or snowy conditions. That's the time when you should start shopping for new tires.
How do you tell when tires are worn out?
The easiest way to check wear on your tire is with a penny. Place a penny upside down in between the tire tread as shown. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the treads are worn and tire replacement is needed. A quick and easy way to check your tire wear is with a tread depth gauge.
What is the penny test for tires?
Turn the penny so that Lincoln's head points down into the tread. See if the top of his head disappears between the ribs. If it does, your tread is still above 2/32” , If you can see his entire head, it may be time to replace the tire because your tread is no longer deep enough.
Should I replace my tires at 3 32?
Low tire tread: Many mechanics recommend replacement when your vehicle reaches between 3/32 and 4/32 of an inch. This is especially true if you live in an area with severe climates to prevent hydroplaning and other inclement weather risks. Good tread levels: New tires often have 11/32 of an inch of tread.
Is the penny tire test accurate?
1:084:40Does The Penny Tire Test Actually Work? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe reason the penny test works is that there is one sixteenth of an inch or two thirty SecondsMoreThe reason the penny test works is that there is one sixteenth of an inch or two thirty Seconds which is the way tires are rated between the edge of a penny. And the top of Lincoln's head.
How many tires are tested in a year?
Consumer Reports tests more than 40 tire models every year—for cars, SUVs, and trucks—putting them through their paces in up to 12 tests, mostly on our test track in Connecticut.
Who matches tire prices?
Local car dealers and tire retailers may match those prices or give you a deal on installation. Keep an eye out for promotions, too, including manufacturer rebates and sales.
How many car crashes are tire related?
Too many drivers don’t think about their tires until they have to swerve or brake suddenly, or they have a flat—often with serious consequences. About 9 percent of vehicle crashes are tire-related, according to estimates from a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But many could be prevented just with proper tire maintenance.
What is the 215/60R16?
On the side of each tire are numbers like this: 215/60R16. The 215 refers to the cross section width, the widest distance from one sidewall to the other when mounted on the wheel; 60 is the ratio of sidewall height to tire width; and 16 is the size of the wheel in inches. Most cars also list this on the driver’s doorjamb.
How fast do tires go?
Tires carry a speed rating, usually from S (112 mph) to Y (186 mph), with some winter tires having a lower speed rating. That indicates the tire’s maximum speed when carrying a load. Higher speed-rated tires tend to have better grip and handling but wear out sooner, generally making them more expensive.
Is the cheapest tire always the best?
The cheapest tire isn’t always the best value. A significant factor in getting a good idea of the true cost over a tire’s life span is how long it will last before wearing out.
Do higher performance tires cost more?
The general rule is that higher-performance tires cost more and wear faster, leading to a greater cost per mile, as shown below.
When is it time to replace rubber on tires?
When the tread depth gets too low, or your tires are 6 years old or older, it's time for new rubber.
What factors determine when to replace tires?
In addition to a blowout or a flat, there are two factors that will help you determine when you should replace your tires: tread depth and manufacture date.
What happens if you put a penny in a tire?
If you insert a penny, also head-down, into the center of your tire’s tread and it’s even with the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, the tires are becoming unsafe. You should replace your tires right away. By planning before you go tire shopping, you’ll wind up with a safe and comfortable ride and you might even save some money.
How to keep hands clean when replacing tires?
Replace your tires…. Because you’ll need to check the tread and read the sidewall of your tires, you might want to put on a pair of gloves to keep your hands clean. Also, you’ll be kneeling next to your car, so make sure it’s parked in a safe place with good lighting.
What does the number 1109 mean on a tire?
The first two numbers stand for the week in the year it was made, and the other two are for the year. For example, if your tire has “1109” printed on it, then it was manufactured in the 11th week of 2009. Finding the date code can be a little tricky. It’s usually preceded by the initials DOT.
What is the code on a car tire?
The Department of Transportation code on a car's tire shows the week and year it was manufactured.
Do you have to replace your tires?
New tires also can give your car a more comfortable ride, and some modern brands will even improve your car’s fuel economy. Check your tread depth and manufacture date, and you’ll know when it’s time to replace your tires.
Remaining Tread Life Calculator
To obtain an accurate tread depth for your current tires, you'll need to use a tread depth gauge.
How To Know When To Replace Tires
Knowing when it’s time to be replacing tires on your car or truck isn’t too difficult. The most important factor to check is tread wear. A worn tire can’t provide maximum traction on wet roads and will lead to much longer stopping distances and an increased risk of hydroplaning.
Tread Depth To Replace Tires
Tread wear level is the best method for determining if your tires need to be replaced. The ability of your tires to maintain grip with the road surface in wet weather conditions depends upon the grooves in your tire tread pattern.
Age To Replace Tires
Most tires should be replaced once they have reached 6 years of age or more. You can find the date of manufacture of your specific tires on the sidewall from the DOT code.
Mileage To Replace Tires
Generally speaking, tires will last 50,000 to 60,000 miles for most passenger cars and light trucks. The amount of mileage you will achieve personally with your specific tires will vary based on many factors such as driving style, vehicle type, proper tire maintenance, etc.
Damaged Tire
If you have damage to a tire it should be fairly obvious that it needs to be replaced. Cosmetic scuffs can typically be ignored, but deeper cuts, gashes, gouges, and most other visible damage should be inspected by a tire professional.
How To Make Tires Last Longer
Tires often don’t last as long as they could or should due to lack of proper care. Basic tire maintenance should be well understood by everyone, not just to save you money, but for your safety and the safety of others on the road.
How quickly do tires need replacing?
How quickly a tire will need replacing depends on various things, such as driving habits (distance traveled, speed, severity of braking & cornering, etc.), where you live, and how well the tires are maintained on your vehicle.
What to do before replacing tires?
Before you replace your tires, always consult the vehicle owner's manual and follow the vehicle manufacturer's replacement tire recommendations. Vehicle handling may be significantly affected by a change in tire size or type. When selecting tires that are different from the original equipment size, see a professional installer in order ...
How many tread wear bars are there on a truck?
Tread wear bars: All passenger and light truck tires have at least six tre ad wear bars (also known as treadwear indicators) located in the major tread grooves and spaced approximately equally around the circumference of the tire. The tread wear bars are raised smooth molded narrow rubber strips that are 2/32” ...
When replacing only two tires of the same size and construction as those on the vehicle, it is recommended to install the answer?
When replacing only two tires of the same size and construction as those on the vehicle, it is recommended to install the tires with the deepest tread depth on the rear axle to prevent a possible oversteer situation. A single new tire should be paired on the rear axle with the tire having the deepest tread depth of the other three tires.
Where to find tire size and loading information?
Another source of information from the vehicle manufacturer regarding tire size and loading information as well as recommended tire inflation specifications can be found on the vehicle tire placard located on the driver’s door edge or door post.
Where is the tire placard located?
Another source of information from the vehicle manufacturer regarding tire size and loading information as well as recommended tire inflation specifications can be found on the vehicle tire placard located on the driver’s door edge or door post.
Can you fit a tire with less load capacity?
Never Fit Tires with Less Load-Carrying Capacity Than Required. Many vehicles, such as large passenger vans, require Load Range E tires. Fitment of a tire with less carrying capacity, such as a Load Range D, is not allowed. In other cases, tires of the same size may carry different load indexes in the service description.
How old should tires be to replace?
Age: Worn or not, tires age as soon as they are manufactured. The NHTSA recommends replacing tires that are 6 years old, while some manufacturers and automakers suggest 10 years as a maximum. You can easily determine how old your tires are by the Department of Transportation’s Tire Identification Number (TIN).
How long do tires last?
At best, Consumer Reports claims, some high-performance summer tires can last up to 40,000 miles, and some all-season types can last up to 70,000 miles. Overloading, aggressive driving, racing and lack of maintenance will cause tires to wear out faster, though. There are three main reasons you need to replace tires.
How to extend tire life?
By rotating your car’s tires at specific intervals and checking pressure on a monthly basis , you could extend their life and not have to replace them so soon. Don’t forget to check the often-ignored spare tire, either.
Why do tires wear out?
Overloading, aggressive driving, racing and lack of maintenance will cause tires to wear out faster, though. There are three main reasons you need to replace tires. 1. Wear: Most state regulations require drivers to replace their tires when tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch, but this isn’t enough to drive in rainy or in snowy conditions. ...
How to rotate a car tire?
To rotate your car’s tires, use a jack, jack stands, a breaker bar, a torque wrench and a deep socket. To check and adjust tire pressure, use a tire gauge and a tire inflator. It should be checked when the tires are “cold,” or stationary for at least three hours.
How deep should a snow tire be for hydroplaning?
According to studies completed by the American Automobile Association, hydroplaning can occur with tread depth under 4/32 of an inch, while traction in the snow can be limited when tread depth is under 6/32 of an inch. 2. Season: In some areas, consider dedicated snow tires.
What is the best time to use snow tires?
Summer tires aren’t designed to be used in frigid temperatures, even sans the fluffy stuff, and some all-season tires may not be “sticky” enough for winter roads. Fall and spring are good times to prepare for the coming season. 3.
How many miles are all season tires?
A quick check of available all-season tires on the Tire Rack site showed warranties ranging from 40,000 to 85,000 miles. Although, as they say, your mileage may vary. If your tires fall short of ...
What does it mean when a tire wears out?
Look closely at the photo above and you'll see tiny blocks of rubber within the tread set at a perpendicular angle to the circumferential grooves. When the tread wears down so far that these rubber nubs are flush with the rest of the tire's tread, that means the tire is totally worn out.
How much does driving style affect tire life?
And, of course, driving style has a huge impact on tire life. Rogers said he's seen studies with two drivers using the same tires, resulting in a 20 percent difference in wear due to driving styles.
Why are tires important?
Tires are an important investment because they have a huge influence on the safety of your vehicle. No matter how many cameras, sensors, or other active-safety features your vehicle is equipped with, ...
What are the factors that affect tire wear?
Road surface is one of the biggest factors affecting tire wear, Rogers said, and they differ from region to region. Road construction companies build with local materials and the pavement materials vary in abrasiveness.
Do tire dealers replace tires on a pro rata basis?
Although, as they say, your mileage may vary. If your tires fall short of the mileage warranty, and you haven't abused the tires by, say, driving your car on a track, the tire dealer will replace the tire on a a pro rata basis, meaning you pay a portion of the cost depending on how much of the guaranteed mileage you used.
Can two people wear the same tire?
No two people, no two cars, no two regions of the country will experience the exact same tire wear.
Should tires come down to safety?
With tires, the decisions should always come down to safety, even if that means spending a bit more money to do the right thing.
Should I replace one tire?
There are some cases where it makes sense to replace one tire, says Pszczolkowski. If your tires still have 70 percent tire life, then buying one replacement tire makes sense because your other tires are still relatively new.
How long do tires last?
It may be tentative, but tires do have an expiration date. There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left. How do you know how old your tires are? There’s a code on the sidewall that you can read about here. Wear is a far more straightforward consideration: Tiremakers and safety advocates say a tire is worn out when its tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. That’s all fine, but what most car owners want to know is how long to expect a set of new tires to last before they need to be replaced.
How many miles do tires last?
Zielinski said that, if you’re kind to your tires—that is, you aren’t constantly peeling out at stoplights and you properly maintain them—most new tires on the market today will last about 60,000 miles. For what it’s worth, the USTMA did a review of several thousand recently scrapped tires and found that most were three to four years old. There was no way of telling how many miles were on those tires, but it’s easy enough to multiply four years by 15,000 miles annually to confirm the rough approximation of tire durability.
How to tell when tires are worn down?
Many tires have tread-wear indicators, which are little bars in the tread that show when the tire is worn down to replacement level. These will start making noise to alert the driver that they need attention. You can also use a penny: NHTSA recommends putting the penny in the tread with Abraham Lincoln’s head upside down and facing toward you. If you can see the top of Abe’s head, it’s time for new tires.
How to balance tire and wheel?
Tires need to be round, and the tire/wheel combination needs to be balanced. Tire shops and mechanics will use a balance machine, which spins the wheel to see where high and low spots are and detects any imbalance. The tire shop will then add weights, which are hammered onto the wheel, to balance them. These shops can also make make sure your wheels are aligned to keep the car tracking straight, which also reduces tire wear.
Why do you rotate your tires?
Rotating your tires can help prolong their lives. For front-wheel-drive vehicles, the tires in the front will wear more quickly and can be swapped with the rear ones. The inverse is true for rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks. All-wheel-drive models, too, may need rotation.
Can you check tire pressure at gas stations?
Tire shops will often check the pressure for you. Some gas stations have digital readouts as part of their air pumps; these are not always accurate, though. It’s best to check the pressures when the tires are cold, meaning that they have not been driven on for several hours.
