Believe it or not, tires don’t last forever. They may seem extremely durable and resistant to the wear of your daily drive, but the sad truth is they have an expiration date. But how long can you expect your brand-new tires to last?
While it’s not a simple answer, there are some basic guidelines you can follow when it comes to managing the lifespan of your tires. With that said, it also depends on how you use them, what types of tires you’re riding on, and more.
What You Need to Know About Tire Lifespan
Here are a few things to keep in mind when determining when your brand-new tires need to be replaced:
- The general consensus is that you should start having your tires inspected annually by a professional after five years of use. Different driving styles matter — do you peel out at every green light, or do you ease onto the gas and avoid sudden stops? Chances are if you’re a driver of the former mindset, your tires may be nearing their end around that five-year mark
- By 10 years, your tires will need to be changed. Even with proper tire maintenance and safe driving, your tread will wear down and the rubber will start to deteriorate. For your safety and that of your loved ones, be sure to replace your tires every 10 years
- Regular maintenance is important. Some of the best ways to ensure your tires make it to 10 years is to keep them properly inflated, schedule regular alignments and tire rotations, and adopt safe driving habits.
- Obviously this isn’t always in your control, but being wary of what you’re driving on and over helps too. Avoiding potholes, speed bumps, curbs and other large objects/obstructions in the road is a great way to maximize the duration of your tires’ effectiveness.
- Be sure to use the correct tires. Using summer tires on snow or ice (or vice versa) isn’t ideal, and all four tires should be of the same type. It’s also important to ensure that you’re using the correct tires for the size of the rims on your vehicle.
Signs Your Tires Need to be Replaced
Now that you know how to avoid wearing out your tires prematurely, we’ve also got a few tricks to test whether or not your tires are ready to be decommissioned.
One of the oldest and most well-known tricks is to insert a penny into the primary tread, with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see his entire head — meaning not even his hair has been given a slight trim — the tread is too worn and you’re due for a new set.
Most tires also have wear indicators in specific spots. If these wear indicators are even with the rest of the tread, it’s time for those tires to go.
The Most Important Part: Your Safety
Let’s be honest — no one wants to purchase new tires. However, continuing to drive on worn-out, deteriorating tires is extremely unsafe and can put you, your passengers, and other drivers in danger. Don’t risk it. If you’re seeing the signs and your tires have failed the penny test, visit the Orr Chevy Fort Smith service department for an excellent experience and a fresh new set of rubber shoes for your steed.
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