How Long is the Warranty Period for Passenger Car Tires?
2 Answers
The warranty period for passenger car tires is generally about 5 years or around 80,000 kilometers. Tires are the only components of a car that come into direct contact with the ground, and their lifespan is directly affected by various external factors, such as braking distance, tire pressure maintenance, driving environment, external impacts, tire aging, and whether the tire has been punctured. Here are some indicators to determine whether tires need replacement based on wear and tear: 1. Cracks or signs of aging appear on the tires, mainly on the sidewalls and tread patterns; 2. The tire wear has reached or even exceeded the minimum tread wear indicator; 3. The tire shows bulging, which indicates uneven stress distribution and a high risk of blowout; 4. Assess the depth and area of tire damage to decide whether a repair or replacement is needed; 5. If the sidewall is damaged, replacement is usually the only option; 6. Excessive repairs may weaken the tire, making it unsuitable for road use.
Tires generally have a shelf life of about 5 years, but that doesn't mean they can't be used after 5 years. During my last car maintenance, the mechanic reminded me to start paying attention to rubber aging after 3 years. The tire manufacturing date is in the oval frame on the sidewall - a four-digit number like '2423' means the tire was produced in the 24th week of 2023. Actual lifespan depends on usage conditions: if constantly parked under direct sunlight, cracks might appear all over within 3 years; those frequently driven on highways with proper maintenance can last 5 years without issues. Tires must be replaced when tread depth falls below 1.6mm, and winter snow tires wear out faster.
