Tire Wear – How Often Should You Really Be Changing Your Tires?

The different parts of your car each have a lifespan. You probably start looking for the best car battery prices every four years or so when you need a replacement. You may think that the useful life of your tires can be measured entirely by tread depth. However, the age of the tires also plays a factor regardless of how much or how little time they have spent on the road.

Tire Age

If your tires are more than six years old, it is time to start asking yourself, “Where can I find auto parts near me?” This is because the rubber from which your tires are constructed becomes brittle and less pliable with age. If you take an old rubber band and try to stretch it out, you’ll find that it has become hard and small cracks have formed in the material. If you keep trying to stretch it out, you’ll probably see that the cracks become bigger until the band eventually breaks. This is similar to what can happen to the rubber in your tires.

The date that your tires were manufactured is written on them in a Department of Transportation code that can be difficult to read. First, find the initials “DOT,” then look for a four-digit number. The last two digits indicate the last two digits of the year in which the tire is manufactured, which will give you the clearest idea of how old it is. The first two digits represent the week in the year that the tire was produced. For example, a DOT code of “0215” indicates that the tire dates from the second week of January in the year 2015.

Tread Depth

That is not to say that you can disregard tread depth. Tires that see a lot of use may need replacement after less than six years. You can easily test tread depth by sticking a penny head down between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires.

Earn Rewards

Enroll in an auto rewards program today. You can earn credits on significant purchases like new tires.