A variety of elements contribute to how long your tires can effectively serve you on the road, from the quality of the tires themselves to the way you care for them, how you drive, and the conditions you encounter. Understanding these factors can help you to make tires last longer. It is also important to know when it’s the right time to replace your tires, to ensure safer and smoother driving. Contact your local Nokian Tyres dealer for replacement tire recommendations.
Tire life is usually between 6–10 years
Typically, tires have a lifespan of 6 years in service or 10 years from date of manufacture, whichever comes first. Various factors can impact this general guideline. Tire longevity is influenced by, for example, the quality of the tire, proper tire maintenance and storage, driving habits, and road conditions. Over time, even without significant use, tires can experience changes in their rubber due to natural degradation. The rubber compound starts to deteriorate as oxygen reacts with it. Also, exposing the tires to strong UV radiation for long periods of time can have detrimental impact on rubber compound over time. It’s recommended to store the tires in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
To know the age of your tires, you can find the manufacturing date on the tire’s sidewall. The manufacturing date is displayed as a four-digit number. The first two digits represent the week of manufacture, and the last two are for the manufacturing year. However, don’t solely rely on the manufacturing date - you should also look for signs of an aging tire. Signs of an aging tire might include:
- Cracks on the tire’s sidewall. Cracks can appear as thin lines or patterns. If you find any, it’s important to assess their depth and extent. It is easier to notice them when the tires are clean. Check to see if your tires qualify for a Nokian Tyres warranty here.
- Uneven tread wear. Tires can wear unevenly due to various factors including incorrect air pressure or wheel alignment. You can check that by inspecting the tire tread.
- Loss of traction and grip. You might experience the steering becoming less responsive, a reduction in braking, and longer stopping distances.
- Tire vibration. If you feel a consistent vibration while driving, it could indicate an aging tire. Vibrating can also intensify as speed increases
How to check tire wear?
To maintain safe driving conditions and to make tires last longer, check the tire wear regularly. It is crucial that your tire's tread is deep enough, especially in wet and slippery weather conditions. For a quick tire wear check, you can use the penny method:
- Take a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s face on it, and slide it into the tread groove.
- Make sure Lincoln’s head is pointing down toward the tire.
- If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tire is too worn, and you should consider replacing the tires.
- Repeat the penny test with all four of the tires on your vehicle.
For more accurate results, take your vehicle to a local tire shop and get your tires measured with a tire tread depth gauge. All the latest Nokian Tyres products have our patented Driving Safety Indicator (DSI), which makes it easy to visually check the condition of your tires by telling you how much tread remains in the main grooves of each tire. Numbers on the tread surface allow you to check the remaining tread percentage. When the tread depth is too low, or you can see visible cracks or cuts, it is time to replace the tires.
When checking winter tires’ wear, you should be sure to examine the number of studs and differences in the quantity of them between tires over time. Studs impact tire traction on icy surfaces, and uneven wear can compromise their effectiveness.
Nokian Tyres offers treadwear warranties on select products when proper tire maintenance practices are followed. Learn more about the treadwear warranty for your set of Nokian Tyres products by checking out our Limited Warranty information.
Make your tires last longer
With proper tire maintenance, you can significantly extend tire life. Here’s how to prevent premature tire wear:
- Maintain recommended tire pressure. Underinflated or overinflated tires can lead to unequal wear, which shortens tire life. Check your tire pressure regularly, preferably once a month. Make sure to maintain the air pressure levels stated in your vehicle manual.
- Check the balance. Keeping the proper tire balancing contributes to even tire wear. Always be sure to get your tires balanced when they’re mounted. If you notice uneven tread wear or vibrations while driving, this is another indication that the tires may need balancing.
- Maintain proper wheel alignment. Misaligned wheels can cause uneven wear and shorten tire life. Check the alignment when changing tires, whenever your vehicle pulls to one side, or when you notice irregular tire wear.
- Drive smoothly. Avoid sharp turns, excessive spinning, and hard braking. Aggressive driving wears tires significantly faster than smooth, gentle, and proactive driving.
- Store tires properly. Keep tires in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. If possible, elevate tires off the ground and stack them vertically to prevent deformation. Read our tire storage tips here.
- Rotate tires. Regular tire rotation helps keep tire wear even and extends tire lifespan. Consult the owner’s manual to determine the proper tire rotation pattern.
When to replace tires?
Appropriate tires are crucial, as they impact driving performance and road safety. Proper tire maintenance significantly extends the lifespan of tires. However, consider replacing tires older than six years. You should buy new tires if there are visible cracks or the tire tread is running low. Remember that vibrating tires and poor responsiveness of the vehicle can be signs that your tires need replacing.
Regularly inspect the condition of your tires to ensure an optimal, safe driving experience. Maximizing your tires’ lifespan requires regular tire maintenance checks such as ensuring proper tire pressure and rotating your tires regularly. But with the right tire care, your wheels can safely last you years of service.
