How Many Years Can Car Tires Be Used?
3 Answers
Tires should generally not be used for more than 3 years or exceed 60,000 kilometers in mileage. The details are as follows: 1. Exceeding the time and mileage is not a major issue, but low winter temperatures and summer rain can make the tire's wet grip and dry handling "barely adequate." 2. Pay more attention to the sidewalls—as the tire rubber gradually ages, deep cracks may appear on the sidewalls. 3. If the tire sidewalls have not been impacted and the cords are not broken, the tires can continue to be used. 4. The triangular marks on the tire sidewalls can help the owner locate a protrusion in the tread grooves, which indicates the actual wear limit of the tire. That value should be greater than 1.6 mm.
Tire lifespan really depends on the situation. Having driven for over a decade, I've found that tires should be thoroughly inspected every three to five years. Once I saw my neighbor's tires cracked like spider webs but still in use - it really made me nervous. Rubber aging has a lot to do with sun exposure; tires parked outdoors long-term may develop fine cracks within two years. Those who frequently drive on highways need to be extra careful - replace them when tread depth goes below 1.6mm as they become slippery in rain. Remember to check for sidewall bulges during seasonal changes, as side damage is most dangerous. Note the tire production date is the last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall, e.g. 2321 means the 23rd week of 2021.
Tire lifespan isn't just about years. Last month when helping a friend check a car, although the four tires were only three years old, the tire shoulders were all cracked. Rubber aging speed depends on too many factors: summer sun exposure accelerates hardening, frequent rough road driving causes faster wear, and both overinflation and underinflation reduce lifespan. Here's a practical indicator to watch for – when vertical and horizontal fine cracks appear on the sidewalls, or when the tread rubber starts turning white, it's time to prepare for replacement. The dealership technician mentioned that modern new tires generally contain anti-aging additives, making 5-6 years of normal use possible, but only if they haven't been patched more than three times.
