The question, "How long does a tire last?" tends to be followed by several others like, “What causes a tire to wear? When should tires be replaced? What can be done to make tires last longer?” Fortunately, we can help provide clarity around these questions.
There is no exact answer to how long a particular tire will last, but there are things a driver can do to get the most out of their tire investment and avoid driving on unsafe tires. On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) states a driver is three times more likely to be involved in a crash caused by poor tire condition. Safer is smarter when it comes to the health of tires, so if there is ever a question on tread wear or age, have the tires checked.
Multiple factors play a role in how long a tire may remain in service. Miles driven, road conditions, driving style, maintenance and age all affect how long a tire lasts.
Worn vs. Aged
Tires naturally wear the more they are driven and worn out tires provide reduced traction compared to those with adequate tread, especially in adverse weather conditions. Most drivers understand worn out tires (remaining tread depth at or below 2/32”) should be removed from service.
Many drivers are not aware that minimally used tires, like the ones on recreational vehicles, collectible cars, or even spare tires, tend to experience aging instead of wearing, due to a lack of driving. An aged tire has a substantial amount of tread; however, the structural integrity of the tire is weaker because the tire needs to be driven for the chemicals in the rubber to remain effective.
Curbs, Potholes, and Other Hazards
Hitting curbs or driving on roads in poor condition (potholes, broken pavement, poorly graded railroad crossings, unpaved roads, etc.
) can cause misalignment, and suspension damage that affects tire wear. If your daily drive includes these challenges, be sure to schedule annual suspension, alignment and tire checks.
Weather Conditions
Driving in poor weather conditions like ice, snow, and rain can cause tires to wear quicker because they must work harder to maintain traction. Purchasing tires that are specially engineered to perform in specific weather conditions can provide drivers with an extra measure of traction and control (meaning greater safety) while delivering good treadwear.
Bridgestone offers different types of tires designed to keep you and your car safe during any weather or road condition. For example, Bridgestone's Blizzak tire series is built to perform in harsh winter weather conditions providing durable traction on snowy and icy roads, and the Dueler tire series is one of several that offer a secure grip on wet road conditions for areas that experience heavy rain.
Poor Driving Habits
Poor driving habits like hard cornering, quick acceleration, and sudden braking can increase the stress on tires tremendously, causing them to wear rapidly.
Drivers can extend the life of their tires significantly by avoiding aggressive driving.
Neglected Maintenance
It is important to regularly have tires checked for damage, to maintain air pressure levels, and to keep tires aligned and rotated. Without proper maintenance, tire life can be reduced by as much as half - even more, in some cases.
If the below signs are evident with your tires, it may be time to have them replaced.
Low Tread Depth
Tread loss is a significant sign a tire needs to be replaced. Low tread is a sign driver can physically see happening on their tire. Depending on the part of the tire that is wearing, there may be other problems with the vehicle.
Pronounced inner or outer shoulder wear: tires are misaligned
Edge of the shoulder wear: tires are under-inflated, need to be rotated or both.
Center wear: tires may be overinflated or have been subjected to extremely hard acceleration.
Cupped wear: the vehicle is experiencing suspension problems
All tires have tread wear indicators built-in, but if the tread looks low take time to do the penny test on the tires.
Rough Drive
If you’re experiencing a vibration (particularly if it just started), or high (and increasing) levels of tire noise it may be a sign your tires are out of balance, not wearing properly or have a structural issue. In some cases, this may affect safety, so have your tires checked by a qualified professional asap.
DOT Number
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number on the tire’s sidewall is another way to help keep track of when they need to be replaced. It’s easy to identify - look for the letters “DOT” followed by eleven or twelve letters and numbers. On tires made after the year 2000 the final four digits signify the week and year of manufacture. So, a tire with “3618” would have been made in the 36th week or 2018. A tire that has a 3-digit week-and-year code means the tire was made before the year 2000 and should be replaced due to age.
Bridgestone recommends that its Bridgestone or Firestone brand tires be removed from service after ten years regardless of their remaining tread depth. They also recommend periodic inspections by a qualified technician for damage such as punctures, impact damage, signs of improper inflation or overloading, or other conditions resulting from the use or misuse of the tire.
Tires are both one of the largest maintenance expenses a vehicle owner is likely to face, and one of the most critical in terms of driving safety and performance. For both reasons it’s important to care for them properly. Bottom line: good maintenance and driving habits help keep drivers safe, and it saves them money by extending tire life.
Easy Does It
Tire life can be reduced by as much as half when they’re subjected to a lot of hard braking and aggressive acceleration from a standstill. Avoiding tailgating to reduce the need for frequent hard braking will increase tire life.
Easing into the throttle when pulling away from a stop reduces strain on the tires and improves wear. Slowing before sharp corners also reduces stress on tires, as does avoiding potholes and broken pavement when possible. If you’re interested in spending less on tires, following these steps can help.
Regular Maintenance
Another way to extend tire life is to keep up with the proper maintenance of a vehicle and its tires. A couple of things you can do yourself are to check the air pressure and tread depth. You should have a qualified technician periodically check their balance and alignment and be sure to have tires rotated at regular intervals. maintenance is essential for your tires to perform their best and last their longest.
If you are currently looking to buy a new set of tires, you need to know which one is best suited for particular seasons, what tires you need to safely navigate the snow, rain, warm or freezing temperatures.
While all tires are purpose-built, all-season tires, in particular, are designed to handle wet and dry conditions. But how long do these tires last? Here’s all you need to know!
All-season tires can last up to more than 49,000 miles (78,000 km). On average, individuals drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year; therefore, an average good quality all-season tire could last between three and five years. However, this depends on the driving style, tire maintenance, terrain, and road conditions.
For more information about how these all-season tires perform in different weather conditions, for how many seasons, when to change them, and their advantages, read on!
Cars that have all-season tires can go for more than 80,000 miles without requiring a tire change or wearing out.
However, when comparing regular all-season tires and ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires designed for sports cars, UHP ones don’t last as long.
While the regular all-seasons averaged 69,000 miles and others 90,000 to 100,000 miles, UHP all-season tires averaged 49,000 miles.
If you calculate this in years, this period is about 3-5 years. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration statistics, the average person drives around 13,500 miles every year.
One thing to keep in mind is that mileage differs from person to person. Just like an automotive product, all-season tires will have shorter or longer lifespans depending on road conditions, i.e., potholes or curbs, weather conditions, poor driving habits, and neglected maintenance.
In countries like Canada, drivers choose all-season tires because they can get three seasons each year, as long as you take care of them properly.
Although they are known as “all-seasons,” these tires shouldn’t be used all year round. In most cases, drivers should switch to dedicated winter tires ideal for the coldest climates and snow-covered roads during the winter seasons.
Additionally, most all-season tires will do great in rainy conditions and offer traction in light snow. However, they are not designed for ice, deep snow, and cold weather below 45º F.
As stated above, all-season tires can handle more than 80,000 miles. They are very sturdy; therefore, they will not wear out faster unless exposed to rough conditions.
Compared to a set of summer tires, they are designed to have a long tread life. They have an intermediate rubber compound; therefore, they can handle cold temperatures and changing weather conditions much better than summer tires.
For them to last longer, you have to pay attention to maintenance, your driving style, and the road conditions.
Although buying tires can be expensive, you should not compromise on the type of tires you have for your car.
Once the weather changes, you should swap your all-season tires with winter ones around Thanksgiving and switch back around Easter.
It would be best not to keep the winter tires past Easter time as the rubber compounds will wear out thanks to warm temperatures.
While it might seem expensive, keeping two sets of tires will half your expenses, especially when it comes to wearing out.
Additionally, ensure you keep your all-season tires in a cool, dry place, away from the sun during winter. You can also wrap them to reduce oxidation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a total of 612 people died on the road in tire-related crashes in 2019.
Because of this, they recommend that car owners should replace their tires every 6 to 10 years, irrespective of the treadwear.
As for how often you change your all-season tires will depend on several factors. For example, if they are not worn out, you might have to change them depending on how you maintain them, how you drive, and your type of car.
Although they are engineered for consistent performance, the tread wears out over time and will need replacing.
Proper care can reduce the budget you spend on replacing all-season tires. I would also recommend you constantly observe the tire and tread appearance to make a decision.
According to Michelin, the tires should be replaced with new ones 10 years after their date of manufacture.
In addition, the replacement should be done after this period even when the tire has not worn out the tread wear indicator or appears to be in usable condition.
Keep in mind that you should have your tires checked for damage every five years by a professional.
Pirelli’s all-season tires are categorized into Cinturato and Scorpion families. Each tire is designed for a specific purpose. While some are ideal for SUVs and touring, others are meant for smaller cars and urban driving.
From my research, most Pirelli all-season tire models last between 50,000 to 70,000 miles. However, the longest tread-life warranty is 90,000 miles.
Douglas all-season tires are among the most accessible ones with a presence in stores such as Walmart.
Customer reviews indicate that the tires have good tread and traction. They also seem to fare well in terms of mileage.
According to the company, the tires have a 45,000-mile warranty, which is much lower than other brands.
Under proper maintenance and service, Goodyear all-season tires can last up to 6 years. For instance, the Assurance All-Season model has a warranty of 65,000 miles.
However, some models cover lower distances between 45,000 and 50,000 miles. The tread life warranties vary depending on the model.
Fortunately, the Firestone All-Season tire is very durable. It comes with a 60,000 miles warranty which is ideal for its price and category.
When you compare the models, the tires that fit crossover (CUV) sizes have a 55,000-mile warranty, while tires for normal vehicles can go up to 65,000 miles.
According to a customer, these tires should last 70,000 miles if you are a careful driver. Bridgestone all-season tires are engineered for versatility.
On average, they could last up to 80,000 miles, depending on the terrain, driver’s care, and maintenance.
If you are considering whether you should get all-season tires, here are some benefits.
Longer Lifespan
All-season tires are designed to last longer under the right conditions. As long as the car owner takes care of them, they can last up to more than 80,000 miles which is relatively longer than other tires.
Car drivers can also increase the tire lifespan by ensuring they drive carefully, swap the tires during winter and take the tires for regular maintenance and alignment.
Decent Traction
These tires can be used in three seasons because they have good traction even on wet and moderately ice-covered roads.
They perform well on wet surfaces, making them suitable for most parts of the year.
Can Handle Low Temperatures
As stated above, all-season tires can perform optimally in temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, they are ideal if you are driving in an area within this temperature.
Flexible To Terrains and Conditions
All-season tires are quite flexible. They can be used for normal highway or city driving as well as in rugged terrains.
They can also be used for most parts of the year except the winter season. This way, they could help you save a lot on the tires budget.
To know more about tires, you can also see our posts on how long do winter tires last, how long do summer tires last, and if car tires float in water.
All-season tires can comfortably handle a blend of moderate summer and winter conditions without wearing out fast.
On average, with proper care and maintenance, all-season tires can last more than 80,000 miles.
In some situations, they can go up to 100,000 miles.
If you use these tires appropriately and avoid extreme weather conditions such as deep winter, they can last up to 3-5 years.
Choosing the right tire, like all seasons, involves considering factors such as climatic conditions and performance needs.
Consumer disputes over the age of tires have not subsided for several seasons. Buyers are excited that the warranty period for tires is limited to 5-6 years according to GOST, and after the expiration of this period, the rubber becomes unusable.
Is this really the case, read this article.
Manufacturers of most brands on their products set Shelf life is 5 years and service life is also 5 years .
The shelf life of a tire is the period during which it retains its performance when properly stored.
The end of this period does not mean that the tires have become unusable .
A shelf life of 5 years is given by manufacturers because, by law, they cannot set a shelf life higher than the service life. Tires over 5 years of storage cannot be called damaged or defective, their technical characteristics may be slightly reduced. American researchers argue that the period of storage of "shoes" must be at least 10 years. Experts from Germany are sure that it cannot exceed 6 years.
The expiration date of tires is the warranty period during which the manufacturer is responsible for the quality and condition of the tire if it was used for its intended purpose without violating the operating rules.
According to Russian legislation (GOST 5513, GOST 4754-97) , the service life of tires is 5 years from the date of manufacture.
How can I find out the date of manufacture of tires?
You can find out the age of tires by a special DOT code. Tires manufactured after 2000 in the DOT code contain two pairs of numbers, where the first pair indicates the week number of the year, and the second pair indicates the year.
Earlier tires before 2000 have 3 numbers in their composition, where the first two digits are the week number, and the last one is the year (see the transcript in the photo).
Determination of the average shelf life of a tire according to GOST and operating conditions.
- The symbol ZR denotes tires for high-speed cars. They are recommended to be used at speeds over 240 km/h. up to 6 years
- Tires with the H symbol are used at a maximum speed of 210 km/h. within 5 years.
- The sign S symbolizes the maximum permissible speed of 180 km/h. and operational period of 4-5 years.
Most tire manufacturers do not agree that tire life is limited to 5 years. Each company has its own opinion on this matter. We analyzed several of them and the information they posted on their official websites.
Michelin
The French tire manufacturer Michelin has become famous for its active fight against the perception of the rapid aging of tires as a perishable product.
Her information campaign "Tires Are Not Bananas" created a lot of noise in the automotive environment. According to the representative office, several test trials were carried out in Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Germany. As a result of testing, no difference was found between new tires and tires stored for 3 years. They were tested for various characteristics such as rolling resistance, high speed durability, etc. Tires with a year life were approximately equal in performance to 10-year unused tyres.
Michelin focuses the attention of car owners on the fact that tires are not a perishable product, their shelf life is not as important as the service life is important, starting from the date the tires are installed on the rims. It is from this moment that the tire is subjected to all tests: pressure, temperature changes, wear, contact with uneven and sharp coatings, etc.
Continental
On the Russian official website of Continental, we found the following information on the expiration dates of tires.
“When a tire is stored in the correct position and under the recommended conditions, it will not lose its original balanced performance for 5 years from the date of manufacture of the tire.
A properly maintained, unused tire less than 5 years old can be sold as a new tire and used normally.
Continental recommends replacing all tires (including spares) with a sidewall date greater than 10 years.
Nokian
The following information is posted on the Nokian official website:
“Tire life is not defined by law, but tires can only be considered “new” if they have been manufactured within the last five years.
The recommended service life of tires is six years and the recommended maximum period is 10 years.
The opinion of our specialists, based on many years of experience, coincides with the opinion of manufacturers: the shelf life is 5 years + the service life is up to 10 years. Moreover, more "adult" tires, in our opinion, are of better quality.
To keep tires as long as possible, they are stored in compliance with all rules and recommendations. The main condition is a cool, ventilated, darkened room away from oils, paints, ozone, and heat sources.
Rubber products tend to lose their performance over the years. To prevent and slow down this process, manufacturers add polymers to the rubber compound. They prevent oxidative processes that occur due to the interaction of protectors with oxygen and ozone.
The following are the main conditions for the proper storage of tires in accordance with GOST 24779-81:
Maintaining a constant regime without sudden jumps, slight temperature fluctuations from -30°С to +35°С are allowed;
Provide a low humidity level of 50-80% in a dry, ventilated cool room;
Avoid direct sunlight, use darkened hangars, shield heat sources;
Keep away from sources of heat;
Tires should not come into contact with corrosive, copper materials.
Avoid kinking, loading or positioning on an uneven surface.
Avoid contact with oils, organic solvents, acids, alkalis, fuels and lubricants on the tire surface. It is forbidden to lay tires on a wet and dirty surface.
In the warm season, when storing tires outside, they should be covered with light-tight material and raised above ground level to ensure ventilation and prevent the occurrence of the greenhouse effect.
Storage on reflective, light and heat absorbing surfaces is prohibited.
Keep away from chemicals, oils, paints, open flames, electric motors that produce ozone.
Used tires must be washed and dried.
Tires without rims should be stored upright.
The service life depends on many factors: the load on the car, the quality of the roads, the driving style, the distance traveled, tire damage, etc.
To increase their service life, follow these rules:
Check tire pressure every 2-3 weeks. With reduced pressure, tire wear increases by the equivalent of a % reduction. For example, a 15% reduction in pressure can result in a 15% reduction in service life. Inflated tires are less scary.
The wear of the front tires is always significantly higher than the rear ones, so it is recommended to swap them after some time, carefully watching the direction of the tread pattern and the direction of rotation.
Proper alignment of tires in relation to rims. If the direction is not the same, then performance is significantly reduced.
To prevent damage to the sidewalls of tires, avoid close proximity to curbs and high ledges.
Wash off dirt from the surface of the rubber and from deep grooves with special cleaning agents.
Adhere to an even driving style without harsh brakes and quick starts.
Do not overload the car beyond the norm. 20% excess weight leads to a 30% loss of tire life.
Keep the wheels balanced and check the alignment angles annually.
The main condition for a long tire life is:
- high quality products,
- careful operation,
- proper storage of tires in the off-season,
- timely diagnosis.
The age of tires in standard storage is a minor non-determining factor that should not be taken into account when buying them.
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How do you know when tires are completely worn out and it's time to change them? Everything is simple. For summer tires, the limit is 1.6 mm of residual tread depth, and for winter (or all-season, used in winter) - 4 mm. Modern summer tires can cover from 40,000 to 70,000 km depending on driving style and vehicle characteristics.
An average motorist rolls such a mileage on summer tires in 2-3 seasons. Moreover, wear implies not only a decrease in tread depth. For millions of cycles of deformation, the strength of the carcass and its adhesion to the layers of the rubber compound are violated. In short, every 2-3 years you should buy a new set of tires.
In case of irreparable damage to one of the tires and a relatively high total mileage of the kit, it is also worth considering replacing it. Well, or about buying at least a pair of new tires, which, for any type of drive, should be installed on the front axle. We put two tires back - the most decent of the remaining ones.
Many motorists drive only a few thousand kilometers a year. This does not mean that the tires will serve you for several decades. According to Russian requirements (GOST 4754-97), the service life of passenger car tires is 5 years from the date of manufacture. And for example, Continental recommends that all car tires (including the spare tire) older than 10 years old should be replaced with new ones.
Therefore, with small runs, you can navigate for ten years. The date of manufacture of the tire is indicated on the sidewall. Usually it is an oval with four numbers. The first two are the ordinal number of the week in the year, the last two indicate the year.
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How to change the car yourself - detailed instructions
Tires should be rotated periodically in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations - information on this can be found in the owner's manual.
We can advise you to carefully use the tires and, most importantly, to store them correctly in the off-season. First of all, during storage, it is important to exclude direct sunlight from hitting the tires, which greatly age the rubber. Tires without rims should be placed vertically, and stacked on rims.
And before installing tires on a car at the beginning of the season, evaluate their condition.
There should be no cracks in the tread and sidewalls. The tire should not be dry, it should remain rubbery and not look like baked plastic.
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Driving on badly worn tires - will I be fined or not?
Winter tires have a much shorter life span. They almost always fail due to the wear of the treadmill, because the tread of a new tire is 7–8 mm, and only 3–4 mm remain working height. If the tires are studded, then with such wear there are very few metal elements left, and the tire will not provide adequate safety when driving on a winter road. However, not only spikes, but also Velcro, with such a degree of wear, also lose most of their capabilities.
The real life of winter tires rarely exceeds 30,000 km. "Bald" winter tires without studs can be re-rolled in summer, but their grip on hot road surfaces will be very poor. This must be taken into account, especially when braking.
