After how many kilometers should car tires be replaced?
3 Answers
Car tires should be replaced after driving 60,000 to 80,000 kilometers. Tires are usually made of wear-resistant rubber materials and can be divided into solid tires and pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires consist of inner tubes and outer tires. The replacement of car tires also requires attention to the tire's own wear, damage, and degree of aging. Tire wear indicators: Each tire tread groove has wear indicators. Generally, the wear indicator thickness for household cars is 1.6mm. If the tire pattern is level with the wear indicator, it means the tire needs to be replaced. Tire cracking or bulging: After being scratched, car tires are prone to sidewall damage, bulging, or cracking. Tire bulging is caused by the breakage of the cord fabric inside the sidewall. Damaged tires need to be replaced in time, otherwise, blowouts are likely to occur. Tire aging: Generally, the service life of tires is 5-6 years. You can check the tire's production date to determine this. Over time, even with careful driving, surface hardening and cracking may occur.
To be honest, after driving for so many years, I've found there's no fixed mileage for tire replacement—it mainly depends on wear. Generally, you should start paying attention between 60,000 to 100,000 kilometers. Since I mostly drive in the city, I check mine around 70,000 kilometers. Excessive tire wear increases braking distance and makes skidding more likely, which is especially dangerous in rainy weather. I always use a coin to check tread depth regularly—if the edge of the coin becomes visible, it's time to replace them. Also, consider the tire's age: even if barely used, tires over 6 years old should be replaced because aged rubber is prone to blowouts. For safety, I do a quick visual inspection every quarter and maintain proper tire pressure, as underinflation accelerates wear. In short, don't wait for an accident to regret it—replacing tires early ensures driving safety.
I think changing tires requires careful budgeting to avoid wasting money. Generally, consider replacing them every 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers, but it depends on road conditions and driving habits. For example, since I drive less on highways, the wear is slower, so I can use them for over 70,000 kilometers. Money-saving methods include regularly rotating tire positions every 10,000 kilometers to even out wear and extend their lifespan by two to three years. If the tread depth is still 1.6 millimeters, don’t replace them too soon—changing them prematurely is just a waste of money. I usually opt for durable models and maintain tire pressure around 2.5 psi, as both overinflation and underinflation increase tire wear. Free inspections during maintenance are sufficient—no need for excessive spending.
