Do car tires need to be replaced at 50,000 kilometers?
2 Answers
Generally, car tires need to be replaced at 50,000 kilometers, as the average lifespan of tires is around this mileage. Below is relevant information about car tires: 1. Tire shelf life: The main component of tires is rubber, which has a shelf life, meaning tires also have a shelf life. Fresh rubber has the best performance, so newly manufactured tires perform the best. ADAC's research on unused tires produced in different years shows that the longer tires are stored, the worse their performance becomes. 2. Replacement cycle: Tires are rubber products and will age even if not used. It is recommended to replace tires every four years or approximately 50,000 kilometers, and even if the annual mileage is low, they should still be replaced once.
Having driven for five years, mainly for commuting, my first instinct at 50,000 kilometers was to check the tires rather than rush to replace them. A tread depth of at least 1.6mm is considered safe, and I can easily test it with a coin: if the edge of the coin isn’t visible, the tires are still good. Uneven wear is a common issue—like inner thinning from hard braking on highways. Ignoring it can lead to skidding on wet roads, as I nearly experienced once, which was quite a scare. Don’t just rely on mileage; driving habits matter too. Frequent braking in city driving accelerates tire aging. I recommend checking them yourself every quarter or getting a professional wheel alignment—it saves money and ensures peace of mind. Replacing tires costs over a thousand each time, so delaying it by six months is reasonable. In short, don’t wait for problems; proactive checks keep you safe.
