If you recently bought a new set of winter tires, or your winter tires are a few years old, other than safety, your biggest concern is probably how long will these tires last. Knowing how to get the most mileage out of your winter tires will save you money while keeping you safe no matter how tough the winter weather becomes.
While there’s no set “life expectancy” for snow tires, many tire manufacturers estimate that you should get four seasons of wear from a set of winter tires. Tread wear on winter tires will depend heavily on how many miles you drive each month, and whether those miles are primarily on snow or ice covered roads, or if you routinely have a mix of snow and frozen dry roads. The tread will wear more quickly if the tire is running on freezing road surfaces than if they are on snow for most of the season. Low mileage drivers will get much longer use out of their winter tires than drivers who have both long winters and drive long distances.
The lifespan of your tire will also be directly related to the original quality of the tire, and the level of care they’re given.
Storage
You should change out your winter tires for your summer, or all season tires when temperatures are regularly above 42 degrees.
Leaving winter tires on when temperatures get warmer will increase wear since the compounds that allow a winter tire to stay flexible in freezing temps also wear faster on warm roads.
High heat, freezing temperatures and exposure to light are the biggest contributors to any tire’s aging process. We recommend storing your tires indoors, where they are protected from temperature fluctuations. Be sure to clean the tires thoroughly and ensure they are dry. An airtight tire storage bag, is best and believe it or not, heavy duty black trash bags can be a good tire storage solution. Remove as much air possible from the bag and securely close the bag.
Ideally, your tires are cool and dry while being stored, so avoid storing tires near a water heater, or radiator.
Age and tread wear will eventually be the indicators of when it’s time to begin shopping for a set of new winter tires. Unlike an all season or summer tire, winter tires need to have a much deeper tread to be effective and safe.
The first thing you should do when pulling out your winter tires for the first time each season is check tread depth. If your tires have a tread depth of 5/32 or lower, it’s time for a new set.
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There will not be enough tread remaining to get you through the winter. Winter tire tread patterns and siping are designed to bite into and evacuate snow and slush so that extra tread depth will provide your best traction on the road.
If you don’t have a tire tread gauge handy, most modern snow tires have built in wear indicators. Usually, they’re molded into the bottom of a tire’s tread grooves and indicate that a tire needs to be replaced when the indicator is flush with the adjacent ribs.
You should also always check your tires for visible damage that may indicate that it’s time for a new set. Keep an eye out for deep cracks in the rubber, sidewall damage and replace all four tires if you find significant damage.
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So, how long do winter tires last? How many snowy seasons can you expect to get with winter rubber before buying a new set? We explain.
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Photo: iStockIf you live in a wintry locale of America or Canada, you should sport winter tires on your vehicle to improve its on-road traction and safety credentials. While it is mandatory by law to install these tires in a majority of cold-weather countries worldwide, they are not generally mandated here in most parts of North America. Some even argue why making winter tires mandatory isn’t the best solution.
It is why most people do not equip their vehicles with winter/snow tires during the snowy season — despite the clear and influencing science of their safety benefits; and which are now more affordable, convenient, and practical than before.
According to a 2018 study by the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, Americans cover around 13,476 miles per year.
On the other hand, Canadians travel an average of 20,000 to 25,000 kilometers per year, which is almost the same as Americans.
While it relies heavily on the harshness of particular winter weather and region, most car owners install winter tires in mid-November and change them with summer or all-season tires around mid-March when many take their ride out of winter storage.
We can safely say drivers use these tires for four to five months every year. If we consider the average mileage of motorists in the U.S., they will travel around 4,500 miles in four months.
We spoke with Sailun Tire — a tire brand quickly gaining recognition as a high-quality, budget-friendly option for tire shoppers — who tell us winter tire longevity/mileage ratings are normally measured by how many seasons they last; that this isn’t an exact number but, generally speaking, also agree the answer at 4-5 seasons, including their Ice Blazer WST1 product — a studdable winter tire designed for maximum traction in severe weather conditions.
But Sailun adds, “However, that depends on each driver, driving habits, and whether they are diligent with 7 degrees Celsius on/off. It is also fair to mention a winter tire replacement is when a the tire reaches 4/32 remaining tread.”
Therefore, a winter tire with a warranty of up to 6 years and 40,000 miles tread life projection could theoretically survive for about nine winter seasons.
Naturally, some people will drive more than an average driver (or much less). Whatever is the case, you should expect a winter tire to survive for at least 4 to 6 years. If you consider the expense of buying four is around $500, it takes your total cost per season to less than $75.
If they last for good eight years, the cost would be even less, of course. We believe most owners would concede that $75 is an excellent investment for additional security while motoring in winter.
Manufacturers mostly create winter tires with a much softer rubber compound than all-seasons.
Therefore, they usually have lower wear ratings than their all-season counterparts. Some tire makers mention the expected distance use to prevent consumer dispute.
The actual mileage will depend on several factors such as vehicle type and weight, driving behaviour, and road conditions. Furthermore, it will rely on your punctuality to change the winter tires in the spring and the way you store them.
Ensure you do not drive with winter tires in warm/hot weather, and always replace them with summer tires before the spring starts. Keep in mind the 7 degrees Celsius rule; when the temperature rises above this, know it is time to change your winters.
Winter in some parts of Canada and America can be really tough for drivers. However, fixing winter tires is one great way to keep your commutes safe. With tire technology advancing and winter tires becoming more affordable, the reasons to swap out for snow-rated tires are more realistic.
If you’re in the market for new snow-rated tires, here are top picks for the best winter tires.
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Vladimir Gavrilov
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
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Category: Service Auto
The main component of winter tires that affects their performance is the rubber compound, not the tread pattern and not the number of studs, as you might think. The performance of rubber is affected not only by the natural wear of the tread during trips, but also by chemicals, fuels and lubricants, and simply by the sun's rays that violate the structure of the tire material. nine0005
Rubber has many additives, especially in the protective layer, designed to hold the load and resist wear during operation.
The characteristics of the material depend on chemical inclusions.
Naturally, over time, the tire ages and loses its properties, regardless of the mileage. It is exposed to chemicals poured on the roads by the ton. In addition, washer fluid and oil from passing trucks are on the pavement. These substances are absorbed into the tires of the wheels and violate the composition of the mixture. Rubber loses its former consistency, and its performance is distorted. The elasticity of the composition decreases. Over time, cracks form between the lugs, which become pockets of increased wear. Chemicals penetrate into them and contribute to even greater damage to the already inner layers of the tire. Cord threads begin to tear and burst. Through cuts, the chemical suspension adheres to the metal threads of the frame, which also fail over time. nine0005
The role of solar radiation in the destruction of rubber is also great. In general, the old tire has a different strength and coefficient of adhesion to the surface, which is why its effectiveness on the road decreases.
Typically, tire manufacturers define the service life of their products as 5-6 years. Michelin claims a 10-year term, Nokian too. An important point: the beginning of the service life is not the date of sale, but the date of manufacture. If the tire has lain for a whole year in storage, then it is still considered that its characteristics are no longer the same as those of a new one. And the more time has passed since manufacture, the worse the rubber becomes. If the tire was damaged, received cuts or punctures, then the service life is sharply reduced. After a puncture, it is not recommended to drive for more than two years. nine0005
In addition to the aging of the rubber compound, the tread itself also wears out. The average tread depth of a new summer tire is 8 mm. In winter, it is slightly larger and exceeds 10-12 mm. In addition, the so-called lamellae are applied there, that is, “suckers” that spread over the surface of the ice and create a sticking effect.
They are much softer than the rough lugs of a winter tread and, with active mechanical action, quickly lose part of the material. In addition, the tread grooves are designed to divert not only water, but also snow masses. That is why winter tires should have a higher tread. nine0005
The requirements for the operation of winter tires are contained in the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union, as well as in the annex to the SDA entitled "On the admission of vehicles for operation and the duties of officials to ensure road safety." Section 5.1 provides more detailed tire requirements.
If the wheel does not have a wear indicator, the tread depth is measured with a caliper. The minimum tread depth of summer tires for different categories of vehicles must be:
for categories L - 0.8 mm;
for categories N2, N3, O3, O4 - 1 mm;
for categories M1, N1, O1, O2 - 1.6 mm;
for categories M2, M3 - 2 mm.
The remaining tread depth of winter tires designed for use on icy or snowy road surfaces, marked with the letters “M+S”, “M&S”, “M S”, must be at least 4 mm.
This marking indicates the passenger type of wheels. In addition, they are marked with an icon depicting a mountain peak and a snowflake. nine0005
If the tread of a summer or winter tire is worn out, it must be replaced without waiting for the expiration of the 6-year service life declared by the manufacturer.
In general, a winter tire with normal driving without extreme loads can work for about 6 seasons.
European winter tires from well-known manufacturers typically cover 50,000-60,000 km. Russian tires of domestic brands - 20,000-40,000 km, and Japanese - 50,000-80,000 km.
winter tirestyres
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For summer tires, the limit is 1.6 mm of residual tread depth, and for winter (or all-season tires 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. nine0005
In the event 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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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 use the tires carefully 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. nine0005
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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Winter tires have a much shorter "life". 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.
