How often do i need to buy new tires

A question that often comes up with car owners is how often they need to get their tires changed. Every expert will give you different answers based on certain criteria. That is because there is no "one" answer to this question, and the answer depends on your situation. Below, we present different metrics for determining when your tires should be changed.

This information pertains to changing your tires once they are worn out and unsafe to use, under the assumption that you are using all-season tires. This does not account for changing tires on a seasonal basis if you use tires that are exclusively built for the summer/winter seasons

Duration

Some experts will tell you that you should change your tires every 5-10 years. In between that duration is when you want to start taking your tires to a qualified professional for annual check-ups. If you have any spare tires for your vehicle, those should also be subject to inspection.

Tread Depth

Your tread wear is usually measured in 1/32ths of an inch. When you receive new tires, they will have anywhere from 9/32 to 11/32 of the original tread material. A good rule to remember is that tires are generally considered unsafe once they reach 2/32. You will have to perform regular measurements and checkups in order to catch this depth before it goes below 4/32. You will want to use a tire gauge to ensure that your measurements are accurate.

Steering Wheel Vibrations

You may feel your steering wheel vibrate as you are driving. This is a possible sign that your tires are worn out unevenly. It is also likely that your tired are unbalanced because they have not been rotated on a regular basis. If the latter issue is fixed and there is still vibration, the tire is damaged and needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Tread Patterns

When your tires start to wear out, you will see what are called "tread wear bars." These are easy to detect on a tire, and they will exist on an even level with the tread of the tire. They will either run across the tire or form between the treads.

Testing

Over the years, people have developed little tests that you can use to tell if a tire is starting to wear out and needs replacement soon. One of the more popular tests is the quarter test. When you place a quarter in the center of the tread (this would be the thickest part of the tire), with the head facing you, in a new tire the quarter will easily fit and you should be unable to see the hair on the top of the head. When the hair is partially visible, you should think about replacing the tires soon. If you can see the very top of the head, the tires need to be replaced right away. In the last scenario, you will not be able to put the quarter in the tread as easily.

Mileage

The general rule of thumb is that tires can last anywhere between 25,000 to 50,000 miles before they need to be replaced. You will want to refer to the owner's manual for specific recommendations that come with your car. It is better to be safe and sorry when it comes to tire replacement.

Even if you perform one or all of these tests, you should still perform regular checks on your tires to ensure that you are taking proper care of them. By doing so, you will expand the lifespan of your tires and you will not have to change them so often.

If you are still unsure about the longevity of your tires, Mavis Discount Tire will be able to provide you with the information and expertise that you are looking for. You will know the warning signs and an estimated timeframe for when your tires need to be replaced. You are better off replacing all four tires at once, including your spares, and sticking with the same brand and model for all tires.

New tires with sufficient tread give your car maximum traction for accelerating and braking, as well as keeping a grip around curves on the road. However, the tread wears down every time you drive — even with proper maintenance — and tire replacement is necessary for safe driving.

Read on to learn when to replace your vehicle’s tires and what maintenance steps you can take to make tires last longer.

When Should Tires Be Replaced?

The best time to replace tires is before a worn or damaged tire causes you to hydroplane, skid into an accident, or have a blowout on a busy highway. Inspect your tires monthly and plan to visit your local auto dealership service department or tire retailer before a severe mishap.

Tires give clues that the end of their useful life is approaching. Some evidence may indicate safety problems requiring immediate attention. Drivers should also watch for telltale signs of potential issues from wear and aging.

Excessive Tread Wear

Properly maintained tires for the average driver can last for tens of thousands of miles. While drivers can expect the loss of tread, premature or irregular tread wear can weaken a tire and become a safety hazard. Unusual or significant tread loss may be a reason to replace a tire. Improper inflation can cause irregular tread wear, but it might be from another problem with the automobile.

• Alignment. Noticeable inner edge wear or outer edge wear may indicate the wheels are not aligned correctly.
• Overinflation. Excessive center tread wear can be a sign the tires are overinflated.
• Underinflation. Underinflated tires can cause the tread edges to wear more than the center.

Measure Low Tread Depth With Penny Test

Tire tread prevents your car from sliding, skidding, and slipping on wet pavement. The United States Department of Transportation recommends replacing tires when the tread wears down to 2/32 of an inch.

Special gauges that measure tread depth are available at auto parts stores. The “penny test” is another easy, quick, and inexpensive method to check the amount of remaining tire tread. Place a Lincoln penny head-first in the tread ribs of the tire. If the tread conceals Lincoln’s head, then you have at least 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining. If his entire head sticks out above the tread, it’s a signal to replace your tires immediately.

You can use the test with Abe’s noggin in addition to the built-in “tread wear indicators” on tires. These raised sections of rubber run between the tire’s tread ribs. It’s time for tire replacement when the tread wears down to be level with the tread indicator.

Tire Damage

Regular inspection of your tires might identify areas of damage. Cuts, scrapes, cracks, and bulges in the sidewall can affect the physical integrity of the tire. If you find damage to your tire, take it to a qualified technician for an evaluation.

Damage can happen from road conditions such as running over potholes and speed bumps or rubbing against curbs when parking.

Other situations can contribute to tire damages:

• Dry rot from lack of use
• Speeding
• Rapid acceleration
• Hard braking
• Hard turns
• Failure to investigate changes in performance or vibration

How to Find a Tire’s Age

While mileage is the factor commonly used to indicate tire longevity, a tire will drive safest when it gets retired by a certain age even if it did not roll up a lot of miles. Because older tires will more likely fail, manufacturers often recommend replacing tires every six to 10 years, regardless of treadwear.

You can determine the age of your tire. The DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) is one of the many numbers on a tire sidewall. The last four digits of the TIN indicate the week and year the tire got made. A TIN that reads 0720 means the tire came out of the factory in the seventh week of 2020.

A three-digit date code indicates the manufacture date is a pre-2000 manufacture date. So, it’s best to replace the tire because of its age.

What Kind of Tires Should I Buy?

It’s best to replace your tires with the exact original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tires that your vehicle was wearing when it first rolled off the assembly line.

Automotive designers and engineers sweat the details to ensure the thousands of parts that make up your vehicle all work together to give you a safe, secure, and reliable ride. So follow the advice in your vehicle’s owner’s manual and exchange your tires with like-sized replacements.

You must consult with your dealership, tire company, or sizing expert if you decide on a different sized tire and wheel combination. Changing the size of your tires may change certain other aspects of your vehicle, such as handling, suspension, braking abilities, and more. Always consult with an expert familiar with your model and its specifications.

Tire replacement cost depends on many variables, such as the brand and where they are purchased. Even so, you can expect to pay close to $200 per tire, including installation. With the change in the retail landscape, auto dealerships are now offering tire pricing that is competitive with specialized tire retail outlets.

Tire Upkeep and Rotation

Once you have replaced your old tires with a new set, it’s time to take care of your investment. As the price of everything, including tires, continues to climb, protect them by using best practices in extending their life. Good maintenance includes rotating your tires every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first.

Most cars today follow crisscross tire rotation patterns.

• Front-Wheel Drive: Move the front tires to the rear. Move the rear tires to the front, crossing the left rear to the right front and the right rear to the left front.
• Rear-Wheel Drive: Move the rear tires to the front. Move the front tires to the rear, crossing the left front to the right rear and the right front to the left rear.
• All-Wheel Drive: As with the pattern for rear-wheel drive, move the rear tires to the front. Move the front tires to the rear, crossing the left front to the right rear and the right front to the left rear.
• Four-Wheel Drive: Exchange the right front tire with the left rear, and the left front tire with the right rear tire.
• Uni-Directional: Specialized tires in which the tread only rolls in one direction, they should be exchanged from the left rear to the left front, and the right rear to the right front.

There are exceptions, of course, notably in the case of staggered tire sets, where the rear tires are of a larger size than the front tires. In that situations, follow instructions as detailed in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.

If you do the tire rotation yourself, be aware that Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) may not immediately recognize that tires were rotated. In those cases, reset the system by following instructions in your owner’s manual that will help ensure your tires are being cared for and inflated properly.

Tires are a critical part of driving performance and safety. You can extend the time between replacing tires by taking care of your investment. Along with tire rotation and correct air pressure, be sure to investigate and address irregular tread wear. When driving, avoid fast starts, hard stops, and road obstructions.

Related Stories About Car Tires:

• Car Tires Guide: Everything You Need to Know
• Are Winter Tires Worth the Cost?
• Does Car Insurance Cover Damage to Tires?

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