What are the basics?
There is no way to tell exactly how long a tire lasts. The lifespan and mileage of a tire depend on a combination of factors: its design, the driver’s habits, the climate, the road conditions, and the care that’s put into the tires.
A few milestones and tips:
1. Keep five years in mind
After five years or more in use, your tires should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year by a professional.
2. Ten years is a maximum
If the tires haven’t been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tires. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. This applies to spare tires as well.
3. Proper care expands a tire’s lifespan
You can increase your tire’s longevity by maintaining the correct air pressure, performing regular tire rotations, and vehicle maintenance.
Check our Scheduled care tips
For original equipment: follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations.
How to check the manufacturing date
Look for the DOT number on your sidewall.
What damages tires?
Physical factors:
- Age
- Wear and Damage
Road conditions:
- Potholes, obstacles, curbs, sharp objects, speed bumps
Climate:
- Extreme temperatures
- Rain, snow, and ice
- Oil, grease, and other chemicals
- Strong sunlight and ozone
Driving habits:
- Speeding
- Quickstarts and emergency braking
- Driving on damaged roads
- Failure to notice a change in handling, noise, or vibration
- Failure to consult a professional when something changes
Neglecting basic tire maintenance:
- Air pressure
- Not routinely checking for wear or damage
- Alignment and rotation
- Neglecting to get a professional tire inspection in the event a tire has been impacted or sustained damage
- Not balancing tires after they are installed
- Improper tire storage
- Use of sealants that have not been approved
Improper usage:
- Using summer tires on snow and ice
- Mixing tire types
- Using tires on damaged wheels
- Using the wheel and rim sizes that are not compatible
- Fitting tires that do not have a speed capability and load index at least equal to or higher than those originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer
- Reinflating a tire that has been run flat or seriously underinflated
- Using a spare tire of different sizes at speeds over 50 mph.
Resources: michelinman.com