How often should you replace your tires?

Question

And what factors depend on tire replacement?

I have a 2004 Sebring and it was purchased in excellent condition.. however:
the tires have not been replaced at all yet, there are over 80k miles on the car, and much to my dismay I noticed a flat tire today at work. My brother put the spare on for me as I was not able to at that time, and he said he pulled 6 pieces of brown glass out of the flat tire.. apparently I'd run over a beer bottle =( He keeps yelling at me to get new tires. From his advice and everyone else's here, I'd say it's time to go to the tire shop.

Answer 1

Every tire manufactured today has "tread wear indicators" at multiple positions around the tire, eliminates the need to use Lincoln's head to measure tread depth, the tread wear indicator runs 90 degrees to the direction of tire rotation and extends the width of the tire. If you see "a line" across the tire or even part way across the tire, time to go tire shopping.

Answer 2

As often as they need to be.

How often is that?

When the tires are worn to 4/32" remaining tread depth, measured at the part of the tire with the least tread remaining (they don't always wear evenly). 4/32 in the middle but cords showing on the edges is not considered OK!

Why 4/32"? Becuase below that point a tires traction in slippery conditions starts to fall off like a rock. 2/32" inch remaining tread is considered bald on most tire warranties and in most states.

Of course, if you do not like the traction you are getting you should always replace the tires, no matter how much tread they have.

The other factor would be age. There is no concensus yet on how old is too old for a passenger tire. 10 years is however becoming an increasingly common recommendation for tire maximum age with several tire and vehicle manufacturers now recommending that any passenger tire over 10 years old be replaced. The week and year of a tires manufacture is molded into the sidewall near the bead on one side of the tire.

Answer 3

In certain types of riding, a squared tire is a fact of life. If you replaced the tire at the first sign of it, you would be throwing away money way more often than you have to. It really does change the handling characteristics of the bike though. Depending on your riding style, you may notice it, and you may not. It's not exactly dangerous in the way that you are risking your life every time you throw a leg over and ride. It's just dangerous in that anything that degrades the handling of your bike is less safe than if it was perfect. I would just change it when it comes close to the wear indicators. The best way to judge how it changed the handling is to pay close attention to your last ride before you change and the first ride after you get new ones (or at least after the new ones have been scrubbed in). I thought my Cyclone was a nice handling bike with the old slightly squared tires. It actually was a good handling bike I guess. When I had a brand new set of Road Attacks put on, it was like I got a new bike. The new rubber was more pliable and absorbed minor imperfections way better than the old set. The bike felt more stable on the highway, and MUCH more lively in the corners. It didn't follow rain grooves and cracks like the old tires did, and in the wet weather, the bike was much more confidence inspiring. Just ride it the way it is for now, but if it ever doesn't "feel right" don't mess around. Just get new tires and count it as money well spent. If you don't put a lot of miles on your bike, remember old rubber is often more dangerous than slightly worn rubber and the way old tires let you down can be catastrophic and deadly. (Lots of good advice here today.)

Answer 4

One misconception is that people think that just because there is still tread on the tire, then the tire is ok. But if the tire is more than 5 or 6 years old and you are still running on them, it would be smart to change them. After 5 years, tires start rotting out and the tires may blowout.

But usually on a daily driven car, the the tread on the car wont last more than 50,000 miles which is approx 3 to 4 years or so.

Answer 5

Several factors come into play.

1st, is there more than 2/32nds of an inch of tread left

2nd, how old are the tires

After 5 to 7 years, tires begin cracking and drying out. If you're in northern climates, this means you're driving around on hockey pucks, as the traction abilities are seriously degraded.

I'd replace tires after 5 years have passed OR the treadwear bars are showing, whichever comes first.

Answer 6

when tread is wore down. stick a penny in the tread, if you can see the top of lincolns head then you need new tires

Answer 7

you should replace tires when you feel it is unsafe to drive your car, your life depends on it, You should replace tires that have bald uneven tread wear, bulging sidewalls(bubbles), old tires over 60,000miles or 3yrs old.