How Long Should a Set of New Tires Last?
Many car owners routinely have tires checked for tread wear as part of standard vehicle maintenance. Not doing so can often result in costly mistakes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) study shows poor tire condition often leads to three times more road accidents than other factors. In this article, we discuss how long do tires last because we value your road safety. While there is no one-fit- all modality for when you can replace your tire, experts agree that your new set of tires can last from 50,000 to 75,000 miles under the normal driving circumstance. The answer to this question will be different in varying conditions. Of course, NHTSA recommends changing tires over six years old regardless of wear. Here are five factors that contribute to how long your tire will last.
The Tire Brand
If you are looking to buy new tires, we are here to help you discover how long a set will last. The brand or manufacture is among the factors contributing to the longevity of the tire you purchase. However, tire experts say that although every tire is different, the average tire may last about 60,000miles. Some brands come with a warranty of up to 80,000 miles to show confidence in their product’s performance based on its technology and design. However, other manufacturers build tires to last 30,000 miles of service. But how long a set of new tires lasts depends on many factors discussed in this article. High-performance vehicles such as sports cars’ tires can last about half the stretch of miles compared to family car tires. Of course, thread rating also contributes to how long a new set of tires last. Winter, summer, and all-season tires have different tread-wear ratings and varying longevity.
The Type of Motor Vehicle You Drive
The type of vehicle you own affects how your tires degenerate. So, how long do tires last if you drive a sports car? Unlike compact cars or small crossovers, driving large pickup trucks and sports cars is likely to ruin tires quickly. Sports car owners say how long your tires last depends on the model of your automobile and how you drive. Pilot sports go through tires more quickly. On average, your tire may last between 25,00 and 30,000 miles. However, regular tire services like alignment, rotation, and balancing can help you put off a tire change schedule for a long time.
The Terrain You Drive On
The question “how long does a tire last?” depends on the grade of roads you drive on. Driving on a rugged landscape will put more pressure on your vehicle’s tires and reduce their performance and longevity. Speeding up off-road can cause your tires to wear quicker than when you drive on well-maintained roads. Sharp gravel works like a giant sheet of sandpaper rubbing against your wheels. This type of road causes more damage to your tires than a smooth highway. You can minimize the wear by slowing down when you drive through gravel roads. Large tread tires provide a better grip on gravel roads. Of course, they do not wear as quickly as the thinner tires.
Your Driving Style
Your driving habit contributes to how long your new set of tires will last. Car owners who drive cautiously contribute to tire health and longevity. Well-driven tires ride well, are not loud, and last longer. However, if you drive recklessly, speed up hard and take turns at speed, your tires will depreciate more quickly. However, driving at high speed on a smooth highway does not damage tires as much as cruising on a rough countryside road.
Your Maintenance Routine
Regular maintenance can help improve your tires’ lifespan, but negligence can cause thinning unevenly or on one side. Timely wheel balancing services ensure that the set of tires wears evenly for better performance and improved tire health. You can ask your technician to perform tire balancing when changing tires. Do you know that if your motor vehicle tires wear out unevenly, you may have to replace one or two before the rest? Depending on the wheels you drive, you may have to replace the complete set at once. Some vehicle manufactures do not recommend having uneven wear levels on the same axle. You need to schedule a tire rotation service regularly to switch front and back tires to help reduce uneven wear of a new set of tires.
What Causes Tire Wear?
Navigating your wheels worsens when tire condition is poor. The tires may lose pressure and also reduce traction in extreme wet conditions. Of course, driving your car naturally wears the tires. Other factors that contribute to tire degeneration include:
- Potholes and other hazards: Driving on unpaved roads, broken pavements, poor railroad crossings, and potholes cause tire wear.
- Poor driving style: Reckless and aggressive driving habits such as sudden braking, hard cornering, or quick acceleration led to tire degradation.
- Poor maintenance: Well-maintained tires have a longer life compared to neglected ones. You can improve their health by regularly checking for damages and maintaining air pressure levels.
When to Replace a Tire
Tires connect your car to the road and are critical for safe driving. Therefore, you need to know when to change a set of tires on your automobile. Seek professional help to guide you to change tires if you notice:
- Low tread depth: Causes car tires misalignment, under-inflated, or over-inflated when you increase speed. Your automobile may experience suspension problems because of cupped wear.
- Rough drive: Vibration or increasing pitch of tire noise may show that your tires are not wearing properly, are out of balance or have a constructional issue.
Conclusion
Healthy tires improve safe driving. Therefore, you need to ensure that a technician checks your tires routinely for tread wear or age. Under normal conditions, a new set of tires will last between four to five years. The best time to change is different for all car owners, depending on the brand, driving style, and the type of landscape you drive in. You can always seek a professional opinion about the health of your car tires from your mechanic during routine maintenance.
