How to Determine if Car Tires Need Replacement
3 Answers
Below are methods to determine if tires need replacement: 1. Check tread wear depth. There are tread wear indicators (approximately 1.6mm high) in the tire grooves. When the tread wears down to the level of these indicators, the tire requires replacement. Under normal usage, tires typically last 50,000-80,000 km. Vehicles reaching this mileage should undergo thorough tire inspection. 2. Examine tread aging condition. Tire aging relates closely to service duration and operating environment. New tires generally last about 6 years, but harsh conditions or prolonged storage accelerate aging, manifested as extensive cracking on treads and sidewalls. Cracked tires require immediate replacement regardless of remaining lifespan, as they significantly increase blowout risks during high-speed driving. 3. Inspect sidewall damage or bulges. While sidewalls rarely sustain damage during normal driving, improper parking or obstacle clearance may cause sidewall scrapes. Damaged sidewalls cannot be repaired and necessitate replacement. Bulges indicate broken fabric plies or steel belts in sidewalls, posing imminent blowout risks that demand immediate tire replacement. 4. Consider replacement after multiple repairs. Vehicles operating in poor conditions frequently suffer punctures. A single tire shouldn't undergo excessive repairs - generally, more than three patches warrant replacement as multiple repairs substantially increase potential risks. 5. Address abnormal wear patterns. Prolonged vehicle use may cause alignment issues leading to uneven wear, cupping, scalloped wear, or out-of-round conditions. Besides degraded driving experience and increased noise, prolonged abnormal wear raises safety risks. Frugal owners may opt for tire rotation to balance wear, but severely worn tires (showing block or scalloped patterns) require prompt replacement.
Before my last long-distance trip, I specifically squatted down to check the tire tread and noticed the wear indicators were almost worn flat—those little bumps in the grooves. The mechanic said if these bumps become level with the tread, the grip is instantly halved, making it especially prone to slipping in the rain. I also spotted fine cracks on the sidewalls, like aging rubber bands. Finally, I found a nail near the rim—it had been slowly leaking air for two months, causing constant tire pressure warnings. The lesson? Always keep a coin handy: insert the national emblem into the tread; if you can see the entire pattern, the depth is only 1.6mm left, and it’s time to replace. When washing the car, feel the tread for any bulges or uneven wear—irregular wear could mean an alignment issue.
My neighbor had a flat tire the other day simply because he ignored the tire age. Actually, there's a four-digit birthdate code on the tire sidewall - for example '2523' means the 25th week of 2023. Even with deep treads, you should be cautious after five years as the rubber hardens and cracks. During my last maintenance, the technician showed me tread wear indicators - their positions vary by brand (Michelin uses a small tire icon, Bridgestone uses a triangle symbol). If you notice tire bulges like balloons or more than three patches, highway driving becomes risky. I make it a habit to quickly inspect tire conditions when checking tire pressure every month.
