How often should you change your tires? It is one of the biggest questions of car owners. Although your tires seem to be fine, the car has used them for a long period. NHTSA or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that a tire can last for 6 years or more. However, to find the answer to your question, you need to analyze several other factors.
An automobile tire construction involves ridges and pattern grooves on the surface. These patterns are known as treads, which develop your vehicle’s traction on the highway. They are also effective in directing water from the underside of your tires when the car is in a wet place. Surely, the best tires ensure consistent performance. But, treads can deteriorate over time. That is why they lose their effectiveness.
The type of compound used for designing the tires can make a difference in how fast the tires wear down. Tires constructed with softer compounds are highly responsive. Their braking performance is also good. However, their demerit is that they can wear down within a few years.
Measure the depth of your tire treads
Use a quarter and a penny to measure the tread depth. Insert the quarter into the central part of the tire’s tread. A safe tire will show that the top of the tread corresponds to the tread. Thus, you may continue using the tire for some more years.
On the contrary, when you find that the penny is heading down into the tread’s center, the tire needs replacement. Buy a new tire and enjoy a comfortable ride.
How Many Miles Do Car Tires Last before them?
Mileage is one of the factors in deciding on car tire replacement. According to some manufacturers, your tires can run 25,000 to 50,000 miles before you have replaced them. But, it is not an accurate calculation of the lifespan of your car tires. You may read the manual to know the frequency and technique for replacing the tires for the particular car model.
It is to be noted that the more performance-oriented tires can cover fewer miles. These tires feel softer to ensure better grip. That is why they start degrading faster than touring-style tires.
Other factors that prompt you to replace your automobile tires
Faster driving habits, bad road conditions, and adverse weather can affect the health of your car tire. But, some other factors are related to your tire condition.
Age of your tires
How do you know your tire’s age? You can check the code displayed on the tire wall. It will tell you the age of your auto tire. The first 2 digits indicate the week of the year, while the last ones are about the year.
For instance, the tire code is 1108. So, the tire was manufactured in November (11th week), 2008. But, some car owners say that it is not easy to identify the numbers, as there is a combination of other letters.
As tires have direct contact with the road surface, the frictional forces affect their condition. Regular use of the car can cause the material to wear away easily. Nowadays, tire manufacturers add wear bars- a type of tread-wear indicator. Wear bars refer to rubber strips integrated with the tread. They will tell you when it is the time to discard your old tires. Multiple wear bars indicate that you must not delay in replacing the tires.
How will you know it is time to replace the old car tires?
We have already talked about the tread depth as the indicator of the tire condition. However, some other signs of deteriorating tire conditions are-
· Vibrations
While driving the car, you have felt vibrations. But, there may be several reasons behind it. Suspension misalignment and tire balance are common reasons behind vibrations. When the rubber surface starts wearing away, the perfect round shape gets damaged. That is why you feel vibrations while riding the vehicle. Go to the automobile shop for tire replacement.
As you hit curbs, potholes, and rocks, suspension parts get bent. In due course, your tires become uneven. You will find signs of wear and tears on your auto tire.
· Sidewall punctures
In some cases, the nail is stuck on your tire and not the tread part. Still, you have to replace your tire and ensure safe driving. The tread design is made of durable composite cords. However, the cords for the sidewall are different. There will be a failure in the function of the tires.
· Bulges
When your car hits a hard object and pothole, there will be a bulge on the sidewall. There are no steel belts and composite materials used for the sidewall. So, the internal structure gets affected. Take the old tire to the mechanic and install the new tire.
· Seasonal effects
It is good to replace your summer tires with the winter ones to drive the car in the colder months. Summer tires have treads designed for warm weather conditions. On the contrary, they will lose grip in the winter season. Rubber compounds for winter tires are slightly different. Treads have to provide optimal traction.
What causes the need for a faster replacement of tires?
Improper inflation is the major factor affecting your car tire. Thus, you have to inflate your tires rightly to make them long-lasting. Too little and too much air will cause wear and tear within a short time. Manufacturers’ manual mentions the inflation pressures needed for auto tires.
Inappropriate steering and braking may also result in issues with your tires. A slick tire will lead to complications with steering and braking. You will not be able to take corners comfortably. You must avoid these factors causing faster deterioration of your tires.
How to change your car tires?
If your car has a flat tire or maybe it’s aged, you will need to change it. You will need a jack, a lug nut removing wrench, and a spare tire.
- At first, use the jack to lift the car up so that the flat tire is off the ground.
- Then, use the lug wrench/impact wrench to remove the lug nuts from the wheel.
- Then put the spare tire on the wheel and put the lug nuts back on and do cross-tightening. Make sure you are not tightening all the way just right then.
- Lower the vehicle a bit and then tighten. Once you are done tightening completely, lower the vehicle completely now.
You can go to an auto service company like Mavistire to change your car tires. But if you want to DIY then grab an impact wrench and watch this car tire-changing tutorial.
Bottom line
So, you have found the answer to your question- How often should you change your tires? Several factors contribute to the tire condition. You can rely on professionals to identify the potential damage signs in your tire. The quality and brand of your tires can also make a difference.
