How long tires last depend on a cocktail of factors. For some drivers, tires last longer, while others are constantly complaining when their tires do not make it to the 5 years minimum lifespan. Instead of being obsessed with the number of years your tires should serve you, here is the real question you should be asking: When should tires be replaced on a car? 

When Should Tires Be Replaced on a Car

In this post, there are all answers about cars and wheels/tires. It will tell you when you should retire your tires and how to tell if your tires are on their last stretch of life. Whether you use performance tires or regular tires, you will also learn of factors that affect the lifespan of your tires. 

Things You Should Know About Tire Lifespan

When Should Tires Be Replaced on a Car
When Should Tires Be Replaced on a Car
  • 5 Years is a Major Milestone: Under normal circumstances, tires will serve you for 5 years. Once they close that mark, you should have them inspected annually by a professional. They are on their way out and you do not want that to catch you by surprise. 
  • Not More than 10 Years: If your tires have been generous enough to serve you for 10 years, it is time to retire them. It does not matter if they still have adequate tread and they look new, it is their time for a replacement. As a driver in California or any other state, you don’t want an accident to happen on the road due to a bad tire.
  • Better Care and Maintenance Increases Tire Lifespan: Just like anything else in your vehicle, tires need care. You should keep the pressure at optimum level, rotate the tires regularly, and have your vehicle maintained as per schedule. This way, you will squeeze a year or two of lifespan from your tires. 

What Affects Tire Lifespan?

You drive to different places. Roads are not the same and driving conditions are different. It is these variances that determine how long your tires will serve you sufficiently. 

  • Driving Habits: People drive differently. While most drivers are careful, a good portion of drivers are careless. They speed, and do not take their vehicles for regular checks. That leaves their tires battered and will not last long. You can contact a drivers alliance to help combat this.
  • Climate: rain, sunlight, and ice will affect tires and their life of service to you. Extreme climate means shorter lifespan for tires. 
  • Physical factors: age, tear and wear will have a say to how long before you replace tires. The older your tires, the more likely they need a replacement. Extended tear and wear leaves you no choice other than replacing your tires even before they reach the minimum 5 years. 

How to Tell if Your Tires Need to be Replaced

A good driver can tell when the tires are due for replacement. It could be their age or how it feels when you drive. A sure way of confirming your fears is using a quarter to measure the tread. With the quarter in between your forefinger and thumb, insert into a lower point of the tread. If part of Washington’s head sinks into the tread, your tire is yet for replacement. If none of the head portion is covered, you should get new tires already. 

Bottom Line

When should tires be replaced on a car is determined by various variances. It may be after 5 years or more, but other factors like driving habits and climate will add to their usage. Take your ride for regular checks and you will never have any incidence with tires.