Use current location
Your tires are where the rubber meets the road, but how long will do they hold up?
The four tires of your vehicle may be its most important safety feature. After all, your tires are the only part of your vehicle that is in contact with the physical road surface -- and are a critical component in keeping you and your family safe.
It’s important to ask, ‘How long will I be able to safely drive on my tires before I have to replace them?’ Short answer: it depends. If you’re a NASCAR or Formula One driver, the life of your tires can be measured in laps. But we all know our family sedan is not putting in the work of those professional vehicles. So, knowing when and where to look for signs of wear and tear, and how to correct problems when they arise is a critical part of your vehicle’s maintenance regimen. There are a number of factors to weigh when estimating the condition of your tires.
First, consider the climate. Rubber tires degenerate more quickly in warmer climates. So, if you live in hotter regions, the life of your tires may be shorter than someone who lives in a cooler climate. Likewise, those living in coastal communities face environmental factors that cause tires to degrade more quickly than those living inland.
How your car is stored also plays a major role in how long its tires will remain viable. Vehicles stored in a garage will last longer than those exposed to outdoor weather elements such as wind, rain, the freeze-thaw cycle and direct sunlight. Driving with low air pressure is one of the most harmful things to do in terms of reducing the life of your tires and hitting potholes and curbs while driving will also add to wear and tear to them.
Proper maintenance will extend the life of a vehicle’s tires. Having your tires regularly balanced, aligned and rotated will add many miles of life to each set of tires by evenly distributing wear throughout the surfaces of all four tires. Experts recommend rotating tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.
Perhaps the most important factor in how long your tires will last may be how you use them. For example, vehicles exposed to daily commutes will have tires that wear more quickly than cars that are driven only on the weekends. Likewise, travel off-road or over uneven surfaces may wear tires faster than driving over even pavement.
Depending on the vehicle and the type of tire, life expectancy may vary. Some new tires may offer warranties of up to 80,000 miles, whereas high-performance tires on a sports car that is driven aggressively may only last about 10,000 miles in extreme circumstances.
However, the average vehicle owner can expect about 40,000 to 50,000 miles on a new set of tires, given proper maintenance. That’s about four to five years for the average car, which travels about 14,500 miles a year.
Due to natural degradation of rubber components in the tire, experts recommend changing tires once they reach between six and 10 years old, regardless of mileage. This includes unused spare tires.
How do you know when it is time to replace your tires?
Rubber degradation leaves some visual signs for which car owners can look. Keep an eye out for any hairline cracks or fractures along the wall of your tires, or warping of the treads.
If you feel vibrations from your wheels or hear unfamiliar noises, it is time to check on your tires. These could indicate a change in the dynamic properties of the rubber, which are a sign of degradation.
Given the best maintenance scenarios, tires will still degrade over time. So, manufacturers recommend replacing any tire that is over 10 years old. If you don’t know how old your tires are, you can check the wall for a four-digit Department of Transportation code. These numbers offer the calendar week the tire was made in the first two digits, followed by the year in the last two digits. It is also important to regularly check the tread on your tires.
Some tires offer tread wear indicators -- lines built into the tire to notify owners either visually or audibly by making a noise to let the driver know it’s time to change tires.
Your vehicle’s tires should maintain at least 1/16 inch of tread protruding from the base of the tire. An easy way to check this is by doing the penny test. Find the deepest part of your tire tread and place a U.S. penny upside-down in the groove. If any part of Abraham Lincoln’s head -- including his hair -- is covered by the penny, then your vehicle’s tires have passed the test. If not, it’s time to purchase new tires.
Auto repair stores also offer read depth gauges, which accurately indicate the precise depth of each tire.
Highland Tire proudly serves the local Natrona Heights, Tarentum, PA area. We understand that buying new tires can be overwhelming. Let us help you choose from our large selection of tires. We feature tires that fit your needs and budget from top quality brands, such as Michelin®, BFGoodrich®, Uniroyal®, and more. We pride ourselves on being your number one choice for any tire service, from flat tire repair to tire rotation. Let us earn your business.
Please click anywhere to continue browsing our site.