How Long Should Car Tires Be Used Before Replacement?
3 Answers
Tires generally need to be replaced after three to five years of use or after driving 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers on the road. The following situations require tire inspection or replacement: Tire Wear: There is a wear limit indicator on the tire. When the tire tread reaches the wear limit mark or the tread depth is less than 1.6mm, the tire must be replaced. Tire Bulging: If the tire bulges, continuing to drive is very dangerous. If deformation is noticed, immediately take it to a repair shop for professional inspection. Tire Aging: Severely aged tires. A clear sign of severe aging is the appearance of numerous obvious cracks on the tire sidewall. If not replaced promptly, it can easily lead to a blowout on the road.
I've been driving for almost 15 years, and tire maintenance is something you really need to pay attention to. Generally, tires should be replaced after about 5 years, even if they still look fairly new. The main reason is that the rubber deteriorates and hardens over time, reducing grip, especially noticeable in rainy or snowy conditions. Driving habits also play a big role—those who love speeding and sudden braking will wear out their tires much faster. Once, I saw a car skid on a turn and mount the curb due to worn tires. It's important to check the wear indicators in the tire grooves every month; if they're flush with the tread, it's definitely time for a change. Also, tires that have been patched more than three times should be retired—highway blowouts are terrifying, a lesson learned the hard way from my buddy’s auto shop.
There's no fixed standard for tire lifespan, as I've learned from years of ride-hailing experience. Wear differs drastically between city asphalt and rural gravel roads. When I replaced my tires last year, the odometer had just hit 80,000 km, yet the tread was nearly gone. Pay special attention to sidewall bulges – I once saw a car flip over dozens of meters on the highway due to a bulging tire. Develop good habits like removing stones and checking pressure during weekly car washes. Underinflation wears tires excessively. Last week while inspecting a neighbor's car, I found all four tires cracked like spiderwebs – never skimp on tires for older vehicles. Always check the DOT date code (four digits representing week/year on the sidewall) – even premium tires must be replaced after seven years.
