Having basic tire maintenance is essential for a safe and effective driving experience. By protecting your investment, you can increase the interval between tire replacements and proper maintenance. So, how often should you change your tires? Here is our answer!
In this article:
How Often Should You Replace Your Tires?
Most auto specialists would advise you to replace your tires roughly every six years. Your tires might need to be changed sooner if you drive a lot. Similarly, when you don’t travel too often, getting away with a few more years is also acceptable.
Changing your tires every 25,000–50,000 miles is a useful rule of thumb to follow when it comes to replacement tires. Most vehicles have a digital technology dashboard where you may view your overall miles.
However, notice that the exact time and how often you need to change the tires can vary depending on many factors. For example, how often you drive the car, the vehicle’s condition, the brand of the tires, etc.
When Should You Replace Tires?
It would be best to have a regular inspection each month and schedule a visit to the service center of your neighborhood auto dealership or tire merchant. Besides, you should do the same when encountering one of these following warning signs.
Tread Wear
The typical driver’s tires may travel thousands of miles with proper care. The tread loss is something drivers can anticipate, but premature or erratic tread wear can damage a tire and pose a safety risk. Replace a tire if there is unusual or extensive tire tread wear. Uneven tread wear can stem from incorrect inflation, but it may also result from another car issue.
Visible Wear And Damages
Your tires may need to be inspected frequently to look for deterioration. The tire sidewall damages, scratches, cracks, tire punctures, and bulges may compromise the tire’s structural integrity. These visible damages can originate from sharp objects, improper tire pressure, etc. Take your tire to a qualified professional for visual inspection should you spot any tire damages.
Tire Age
When the rubber compound in a tire, among other tire components, starts to deteriorate over time, this is known as tire aging. This can occur as a result of the tire’s exposure to the environment, extreme temperatures, the stored location, how much driving it receives, and whether it is used at all.
Suppose you feel your steering wheel or the whole car shaking, or the fuel efficiency reduces; the tires can be the culprit behind it.
What Happens If You Don’t Change The Tires?
You can take measures to lengthen the life of your tires, but once they aren’t in good shape or worn down, you must change them. It is dangerous for both you and other drivers on the road to put off replacing your tires. Accidents may result from your car’s brake and stopping performance being affected by old tires.
Not to mention, driving while worn-out tires can leave behind a wide range of other issues, such as overheating tires, hydroplaning, tire bursts, and so on. Thus, when your tires need to be replaced, drive responsibly and do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do The Average Tires Last?
The average decent all-season tire will show signs of deterioration after three to five years or 50,000-60,000 miles, depending on vehicle manufacturer, driving habits, maintenance, weather conditions, and other critical factors. This means the tire life can be longer, 3-5 years are its prime time.
Should You Replace All 4 Tires At Once?
Yes. It’s always ideal for changing all four tires at once. This is because all four tires spin independently of one another, and their speed ratings will not match with different tread depths. Suppose the car has an indirect TPMS system; that might also harm the vehicle’s drive train. That being said, when only one of your tires breaks down, you can change just two on the same axle to reduce the cost.
How Often Should You Replace All 4 Tires?
There is no exact number for how frequently you should change all 4 tires, although it is generally agreed upon in the car industry that you should think about doing so at least every six years. This will help you maintain consistent condition among the tires, bringing you better and safer rides.
The Bottom Line
Now you know when you should replace tires. Changing your damaged tires is crucial for the safety of both your car and other drivers. Also, do not forget to have regular tire maintenance and rotation so you can rest assured that they are in good condition with excellent traction and provide you with safe driving.
