How Often Should Tires Be Replaced?

Most drivers should plan to replace tires when tread reaches 2/32 inch (1.6 mm), or earlier for safety in rain and snow, and replace by age at roughly 6–10 years regardless of tread. In practice, many tires last 25,000–60,000 miles depending on tire type, vehicle weight, driving style, and maintenance. Below, we explain the limits, checks, and variables that determine your ideal replacement interval.

The Two Hard Limits: Tread and Time

Tread depth thresholds

Tread depth is the primary safety limit. As tread wears, wet and snow traction decline sharply, hydroplaning risk rises, and stopping distances lengthen. While 2/32 inch is the typical legal minimum in many regions, real-world safety often requires replacement sooner—especially in rain or winter conditions.

The following thresholds help you decide when to replace based on conditions and safety margins:

• 2/32 inch (1.6 mm): Legal minimum in many areas; replace immediately.
• 4/32 inch (3.2 mm): Recommended minimum for reliable wet braking and hydroplaning resistance; consider replacing.
• 5/32–6/32 inch (4–4.8 mm): Recommended minimum for winter/snow performance; replace seasonal tires around this point.

These benchmarks reflect how water and snow evacuation depends on tread depth; replacing earlier than the legal limit can significantly improve safety in adverse weather.

Tire age thresholds

Rubber hardens and degrades with time, heat, and UV exposure—even if tread looks good. Most automakers recommend replacing tires at around 6 years from the date of manufacture, while major tire makers generally advise annual inspections after 5 years and replacement no later than 10 years, earlier if any damage or performance issues appear.

Here’s how leading guidance typically breaks down:

• Automakers: Often recommend replacement at approximately 6 years, regardless of tread.
• Tire manufacturers: Advise professional inspection at 5 years and replacement no later than 10 years from manufacture, sooner if condition warrants.
• Spare/low-use tires: Age out on the same timeline; inspect sidewalls and replace within the same 6–10 year window.

Heat (hot climates), sunlight, ozone, and storage conditions can accelerate aging; tires kept outdoors or near heat sources may need earlier replacement.

Mileage Expectations and What They Mean

Mileage to replacement varies widely by tire type, vehicle, and use. Many all-season tires last 40,000–70,000 miles under ideal conditions; performance tires and winter tires often wear sooner. Warranty mileage is not a safety guarantee—monitor tread and condition, not just odometer readings.

These broad ranges can help set expectations by category:

• Ultra-high-performance summer: About 15,000–30,000 miles.
• Standard/all-season touring: About 40,000–70,000 miles (some higher with careful maintenance).
• Winter/snow tires: About 20,000–40,000 miles, depending on seasonal use.
• Light-truck/all-terrain: About 30,000–60,000 miles, influenced by load and surface.
• EV-specific tires: Often 20,000–40,000 miles due to higher torque and weight; rotate more frequently.

Treat these as ranges, not promises. Your results depend on alignment, inflation, driving style, loads, road surface, and rotation frequency.

How to Tell If Your Tires Are Due Now

Regular checks can prevent unsafe driving and costly uneven wear. A quick monthly inspection catches most issues early.

Run these checks to decide whether to replace immediately or schedule an inspection:

1. Measure tread depth with a gauge or use a coin: a U.S. penny (Lincoln’s head) indicates near 2/32 inch; a quarter (Washington’s head) indicates about 4/32 inch.
2. Look for treadwear indicators (wear bars) becoming flush with the tread—this signals replacement is due.
3. Inspect sidewalls and tread for cracks, cuts, bulges, or exposed cords; replace if any are present.
4. Check for punctures, repeated air loss, or non-repairable damage (e.g., shoulder/sidewall injuries).
5. Read the DOT date code and consider age; plan to replace at 6–10 years from manufacture even if tread remains.
6. Scan for uneven wear patterns (cupping, inner/outer edge wear, center wear), which indicate alignment, inflation, or suspension issues—replace worn tires and fix the cause.
7. Note new vibrations, pulling, or increased road noise; have the tires inspected and balanced or replaced.

If any red flags appear—insufficient tread, age, structural damage, or uneven wear—prioritize replacement and correct underlying mechanical issues.

Maintenance That Extends Tire Life

Good habits can add thousands of miles of safe service and delay replacement without compromising safety.

Focus on these practices to maximize longevity and performance:

• Check pressure monthly (and before road trips) when tires are cold; set to the vehicle placard, not the sidewall max.
• Rotate every 5,000–8,000 miles (or at every oil change) and follow your vehicle’s pattern; rotate EVs on the shorter end.
• Align at least annually or any time you notice pull, uneven wear, or after suspension/steering work.
• Balance new tires and rebalance if you feel vibration.
• Avoid overload and respect speed ratings; heat from excess load/speed accelerates wear and aging.
• Drive smoothly—hard launches, rapid cornering, and heavy braking burn tread quickly.
• Use seasonal tires in their season; don’t run winter tires through hot months.
• Store off the vehicle in a cool, dark place; keep away from ozone sources (motors, generators) and petroleum products.
• Keep suspension components in good condition; worn shocks/struts cause cupping and rapid wear.

Systematic maintenance keeps wear even and predictable, helping you reach the safest and longest practical replacement interval.

Special Considerations

Climate and storage

Hot, sunny climates age tires faster; garages or shade help. In cold climates, ensure proper inflation during temperature swings. Long-term parking can flat-spot tires—moving the vehicle or using tire cradles can help.

Electric and hybrid vehicles

Extra weight and instant torque increase wear; expect shorter intervals and rotate more frequently. Consider EV-specific tires engineered for load, efficiency, and noise. Monitor tread closely and maintain precise pressures.

Trailers and RVs

Trailer and RV tires often age out before they wear out. Many owners replace every 5–7 years regardless of tread, paying close attention to load range and speed rating. Inspect before each trip.

Reading the DOT Date Code

Knowing tire age starts with the DOT code on the sidewall. This identifies the plant and the week/year of manufacture—critical for assessing aging risk.

Use this quick guide to find and read the code:

1. Locate the “DOT” marking on the sidewall; the full code may be on only one side.
2. Read the last four digits: the first two are the week, the last two are the year (e.g., 2319 = 23rd week of 2019).
3. Very old pre-2000 tires used three-digit codes and should be replaced due to age alone.

Record the date for each tire; plan inspections after year five and schedule replacement no later than the 6–10 year window, earlier if condition requires.

Bottom Line

Replace tires when tread reaches 2/32 inch—or sooner at 4/32 inch for wet safety and 5/32–6/32 inch for winter—and replace by age within 6–10 years from manufacture regardless of tread. Most drivers will see 25,000–60,000 miles per set, but conditions, vehicle type, and care can shift that window significantly.

Summary

Expect to replace tires every 25,000–60,000 miles, when tread falls to safety thresholds, or by 6–10 years of age. Inspect after five years, monitor tread and sidewalls monthly, and use proper inflation, rotation, alignment, and storage to extend life without compromising safety. Climate, EV torque/weight, and driving habits can shorten intervals, so adjust maintenance and replacement timing accordingly.