How many kilometers should car tires generally run before replacement?
3 Answers
Car tire replacement mileage needs to be determined based on actual conditions. Generally, they should be replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 kilometers. Every 10,000 kilometers, a four-wheel rotation should be performed to prevent uneven wear on one side of the tires. If the tires truly need replacement, it is essential to replace them promptly to enhance driving safety. When rotating car tires, for front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the common method is diagonal rotation: the right front tire is swapped with the left rear tire, and the left front tire is swapped with the right rear tire. This method significantly helps prevent severe wear on one side of the car tires.
Tire replacement isn't just about mileage! Last time I changed tires, the mechanic taught me three key indicators: The most obvious is tread depth - insert a 1-yuan coin into the groove, if you can see the edge of the coin, it's time to replace. Then look for the small triangle marker on the tire sidewall - if worn to that point, replacement is mandatory. Finally consider usage time - even with low mileage, tire rubber ages and cracks after about five years. Like me commuting daily on highways, at 50,000 km I noticed increased road noise, and inspection revealed fine cracks in the drainage grooves. The mechanic said such wear makes wet road driving particularly dangerous, so I replaced them immediately. City commuter tires might last 70-80,000 km, but those frequently driven on rough roads need inspection at 40,000 km. Never wait until a blowout to regret it!
In real-world usage, tire lifespan varies significantly. A comparison between my two cars illustrates this clearly: the factory tires on my Mazda used for city commuting lasted 70,000 kilometers with about 3mm tread remaining, while my Haval H6, which frequently travels to construction sites, developed sidewall bulges at just 40,000 kilometers. Old Zhang from the repair shop shared four key points with me: 1. Long-term underinflation accelerates wear—I now keep a digital tire inflator and check monthly; 2. Tire rotation is crucial—front tires wear faster, so I swap front and rear every 10,000 km; 3. Monitor wear indicators—modern tires have raised markers in the grooves; 4. Watch for aging cracks, especially radial cracks on sidewalls. Last week when inspecting a colleague's car, his three-year-old tires with only 30,000 km showed webbing cracks on the tread—such tires require immediate replacement.
