How Long Do Car Tires Last?

For safety reasons, it’s essential to keep your tires in the best possible shape. One important factor is knowing how long your tires should last and when to replace them.

We can provide general guidelines, but conditions vary. Several factors affect lifespan, including the type of tire, driving style, and road conditions.

What Is a Tire’s Typical Lifespan?

On average, a tire lasts between 36,000 and 75,000 miles.That means you can get about three to five years from a high-quality all-season tire, assuming 12,000 to 15,000 miles of annual driving.

Also, every tire has an expiration date, even when it’s not driven on regularly. Tires are expected to be used for only about six years from the day they are manufactured. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that a number be placed on the side of the tire to show its age. You find the number by looking for “DOT,” followed by letters and numbers.

The last four digits show the week and year the tires were made. For example, a tire showing “4822” was manufactured in the 48th week of 2022. If the tires are more than five years old, you should inspect them and start to consider replacements. After 10 years, you should replace the tires, no matter the condition.

Factors Affecting Tire Life

Consider these factors when determining the approximate life of the tire:

Maintenance: As with other car parts, tires require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and life. Some manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every 5,000 miles or with every oil change. Tires are rotated in a specific pattern unique to your car. Rotating them improperly can cause more harm than good. If you notice unusual wear on the tires, check for issues like improper inflation, suspension or alignment problems before rotating.

Road and driving conditions: If you are driving on smooth, flat surfaces, the tires should last longer than they would when driving frequently on uneven surfaces. Potholes and poorly paved roads will wear out tires prematurely. You also don’t want to hit curbs or bumps at high speed, as this can lead to misalignment of the wheels and suspension problems. Any time that the alignment and suspension are off, the tires wear faster.

Hard, fast driving will also reduce tire life. By taking corners hard, accelerating quickly, and braking suddenly, you cause more wear. Besides, these driving practices might be unsafe.

Weather conditions: Tires will last longer if you live in a mild climate. For example, warm, humid environments can cause premature tire wear. The same is true if you frequently drive in snow and ice. That’s why using tires designed for your specific climate and road conditions is crucial. For example, you don’t want to use summer tires on ice and low-traction surfaces.

How Long Do Tire Plugs Last?

If you’ve repaired a tire with a plug, you may wonder if it will affect its lifespan. Tire plugs made of rubber or latex are inserted into a puncture hole with a special tool to stop leakage. Fortunately, when a tire is plugged correctly, it shouldn’t affect its life. The same can be said about a correctly patched tire.

How Long Do Motorcycles Tires Last?

Motorcycle tire life depends on whether the tire is in front or back. Rear tires may only last 1,800 miles, while the front tire can last 3,500 miles or more. Once again, many factors affect the time span. For example, the type of bike makes a big difference. Tires used on sport bikes are often made of softer compounds than those used on cruisers designed to corner better. Soft compounds wear out faster. It also matters how often you have motorcycle service performed.

When to Replace Car Tires

How do you know when it’s time to get new car tires? The most significant consideration is the tread depth. Once the tread gets too low, it’s unsafe to continue driving on those tires. Ideally, tires should be replaced when the tread depth reaches 4/32 of an inch, although the legal minimum is 2/32 of an inch.

If the tread isn’t wearing evenly, this could indicate a more significant problem. In most cases, it means the wheel alignment is off, or there’s a suspension problem. Resolving these issues will extend the tire’s life.

Here are common types of wear and what they indicate:

• Edge wear: under-inflated tires
• Center wear: overinflated tires or hard acceleration
• Cupping: suspension malfunction
• Toe or camber wear: tires out of alignment

Tire toe is the difference between the track widths as measured at the leading and trailing edges of the tires.

Tire Imperfections

Aside from tread, there are other wear concerns that should be addressed immediately. For example, while punctures in the tire tread can often be patched or plugged, the same cannot be said about sidewall damage.

If there are punctures, bumps, or other imperfections in the sidewall, you should have the tires replaced. Replace tires with chunks of tread missing or other severe defects.

If you notice a change in how the car feels on the road, have the tires checked. Vibrations and steering issues can indicate worn tires.

Extend Tire Life

If you want your tires to last as long as possible, follow these simple tips:

• Check tire pressure monthly and during extreme weather changes. If the pressure needs to be adjusted, do so immediately
• Drive at a steady pace. Don’t brake or accelerate too hard.
• Avoid potholes or uneven terrain.
• Rotate tires every 5,000 miles or during an oil change.
• Have tires balanced regularly.
• Have the alignment checked twice a year.

If you notice any trouble with your tires, have them checked by a professional. Sometimes, a simple rotation or suspension repair can head off a problem.

Changing Car Tires

Changing a tire is a simple process. Here are a few simple tips for replacing a flat tire:

1. Pull over in a safe location.
2. Turn on your hazard lights.
3. Set your parking brake.
4. Get out the spare tire, lug wrench, and jack.
5. Loosen the lug nuts. Don’t remove them yet.
6. Lift the vehicle slightly off the ground.
7. Remove the lug nuts and the flat tire.
8. Put the spare tire on the car.
9. Replace the lug nuts and tighten them slightly.
10. Lower the vehicle back to the ground.
11. Secure the lug nuts by skipping every other one until they are all tight.

If you aren’t comfortable with changing your tires, it’s best to call for roadside assistance.