How many kilometers can tires run before needing replacement?
3 Answers
How often car tires should be replaced can be determined based on the tire's wear indicators, with the general replacement cycle being approximately every 3-5 years or 40,000-60,000 kilometers. Of course, due to the influence of driving habits and road conditions, there may be variations. It is not recommended to judge whether replacement is needed solely based on mileage or time. Replacement based on tire date: How often car tires should be replaced can also be determined based on the tire's manufacturing date. There is a 4-digit number on the tire sidewall indicating its production date, where the first two digits represent the week and the last two digits represent the year. For example, the number 1617 indicates that the tire was produced in the 16th week of 2017. Knowing the production date, under normal circumstances, you only need to add 5 years to the production date to estimate the optimal usage period of the tire. Tire wear indicators: How often car tires should be replaced mainly depends on the tire's wear indicators. If the tire wear reaches the position of the wear indicator, it means the depth of the tread grooves is already less than 1.6 millimeters. To ensure driving safety, it is necessary to replace the tire with a new one as soon as possible. After all, once the depth of the tread grooves on the tire is below 1.6 millimeters, it's not just a matter of reduced performance but also a safety hazard.
This is actually a pretty common issue. For regular family cars, you should start paying attention to the tires after about 50,000 to 80,000 kilometers. I personally drive to and from work, and my tires usually wear out in about five years. But don't just look at the mileage—if you see fine cracks or bulges on the sidewalls, even if you've only driven 20,000 kilometers, you should replace them immediately. Here's a little tip: every time I wash my car, I check the wear indicators in the tire tread grooves. If those little raised bars are level with the tread, don't push your luck. A tire blowout on the highway is terrifying. My neighbor tried to save money by delaying tire replacement by 5,000 kilometers and almost lost control on the highway—it was a close call. That's why I replace mine a bit earlier now. Safety is way more important than saving a few bucks.
Having driven for nearly 20 years, I've found that tire lifespan is closely related to driving habits. If you frequently floor the accelerator and brake hard, you might need to replace them at just 40,000 kilometers. Regular inspection of tire wear is essential. Besides replacing when tread depth falls below 1.6mm, there's a simple method: insert a one-yuan coin into the tread groove - if you can see the national emblem on the coin's edge, it's time for new tires. Road conditions also make a big difference. My wife's car, mainly driven in the city, still has good tires at 60,000 km, while my work truck tires at construction sites wear out after just over 30,000 km. Never replace just one tire to save trouble - always replace at least two on the same axle, otherwise braking imbalance becomes dangerously pronounced.
