Key takeaways
A good all-season tire usually lasts three to five years, and a well-maintained set can reach 60,000 to 75,000 miles. Replace tires when the tread hits 2/32 inch or when they reach the age limit: six years for many carmakers and 10 years for the major tire makers, whichever comes first.
- 01Start shopping at 4/32 inch of tread, because wet braking and snow grip fade long before a tire is legally bald.
- 02A tire's age runs from the four-digit DOT date code on the sidewall, not from the day it was installed.
- 03Low pressure, poor alignment, skipped rotations and hard driving can each cut tire life sharply, and EVs wear tires faster because of weight and torque.
- 04Winter, summer performance and spare tires follow their own rules, and a spare ages even if it never touches the road.
This guide belongs to our Car maintenance guide: tires and wheels section, which covers the wider topic.
Most tires wear out after three to five years of normal driving. Bridgestone's tire life guide gives that range for a good-quality all-season tire and notes that most drivers cover 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year.
In miles, AutoZone's tire lifespan guide says tires can last 60,000 to 75,000 miles on a properly maintained vehicle, or 20,000 miles or less if they are low-quality, the car has mechanical problems or it is driven hard. Tread is only half the story. Rubber ages even on a car that rarely moves, so carmakers and tire makers also set age limits of six and 10 years.
This guide covers both clocks: tread depth, the date code on the sidewall, what wears tires out early and when to replace them. For pressure, rotation and wheel care, see the Tires & Wheels section of our car maintenance guide.
Tire Lifespan at a Glance
Two limits decide when a tire is finished: tread depth and age. Whichever one you reach first is the one that counts.
| Limit | Guidance | Who says so |
|---|---|---|
| Tread life, well-maintained vehicle | 60,000 to 75,000 miles | AutoZone |
| Tread life, low-quality tires or hard driving | 20,000 miles or less | AutoZone |
| Good all-season tire, in years | 3 to 5 years | Bridgestone |
| Start shopping for new tires | 4/32 inch of tread | Consumer Reports |
| Worn out | 2/32 inch of tread | NHTSA |
| Carmaker age limit | 6 years | Tesla, Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz |
| Yearly professional inspection | After 5 years of use | Michelin, Continental |
| Tire-maker maximum age | 10 years from manufacture | Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental |
From AutoZone, Bridgestone, Consumer Reports, NHTSA, the Tesla Model 3 owner's manual, Edmunds (for Ford, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz and Continental's inspection advice), Michelin, Bridgestone Americas and Continental Tire.
Miles or Years: Which Limit Comes First?
For most drivers, the tread wears out first. Edmunds' tire age guide says a driver covering 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year usually wears through the tread in three to four years, before age becomes the problem.
Low-mileage cars flip that order. The NHTSA tire safety page warns that drivers with low annual mileage could be at risk from tire aging, along with sun exposure, warm climates, poor storage and poor maintenance. A weekend car or an RV can hit its age limit with most of its tread still on.
Why rubber ages on a parked car
NHTSA says you cannot detect tire aging simply by looking at your tires. Discount Tire's tire aging guide explains that tires contain antiozonants, but oxygen still permeates the rubber and gradually makes it more brittle.
Heat and sun speed the process. NHTSA says aging is a greater concern in the more southern parts of the Sun Belt states, and Discount Tire notes that tires on trailers and RVs stored outdoors age faster than tires kept in a garage.
What Carmakers and Tire Makers Say About Tire Age
Carmakers that publish an age limit usually say six years. The major tire makers set an outer limit of 10 years from manufacture, and NHTSA sets no age rule at all.
The six-year guidance from carmakers
Tesla's Model 3 owner's manual recommends replacing tires every six years, or sooner if required, even if the tread depth is above the minimum. It blames ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, heavy loads and environmental conditions.
Edmunds reports that Ford, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz also tell owners to replace tires six years after their production date regardless of tread life. Discount Tire recommends the same and notes that most tire makers' warranties expire at six years.
The 10-year limit from tire makers
Michelin's tire replacement guide recommends replacing tires 10 years after their date of manufacture, regardless of tread depth. After five years of use, it wants a yearly inspection by a trained tire professional.
Bridgestone Americas' replacement guidance also retires tires at 10 years, spare included, and calls an inspection essential after five years.
Continental's tire life guide applies the 10-year limit to all tires, including spares, but advises following the vehicle maker if it sets a different age. Discount Tire won't service tires 10 years or older.
The Nokian Tyres tire life guide runs both clocks at once. It says tires typically last six years in service or 10 years from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first.
Where NHTSA stands
NHTSA only notes that some vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are six to 10 years old, regardless of treadwear. Edmunds says there is no federally mandated guidance on when to retire a tire, and reports that tire industry trade groups call the five- to six-year guideline an arbitrary range unsupported by data, so the two camps genuinely disagree.
How to Read the DOT Date Code on a Tire
The last four digits of the DOT Tire Identification Number show the week and year the tire was made. In NHTSA's example, a code ending in 0308 means the third week of 2008.
The federal tire identification rule sets a 13-symbol code for new tires, ending in the four-digit date code. Bridgestone tells drivers to look for DOT followed by 11 or 12 characters, and either way the date is the final four digits.
The rule requires the code on one sidewall, and NHTSA warns it may not be on both sides. Edmunds says it can sit on the inner sidewall, so you may need to lift the car to read it.
| Date code | What it means | Example from |
|---|---|---|
| 0308 | Week 3 of 2008 | NHTSA |
| 1116 | Week 11 of 2016 | Edmunds |
| 3520 | Week 35 of 2020 | Michelin |
| Three digits only | Made before 2000, replace it | Bridgestone |
Examples from NHTSA, Edmunds, Michelin and Bridgestone. Under 49 CFR 574.5, the first two digits of the date code are the week and the last two are the year.
Bridgestone says a 3-digit code means the tire was made before 2000 and should be replaced. Edmunds explains the confusion: the third digit gives only the year within a decade, so 328 could mean week 32 of 1988 or of 1978.
Check the date on new tires before they're mounted
Edmunds warns that an old tire sold as new may be past its warranty period. Read the DOT date code on every tire before installation, and ask for newer ones if they are several years old.
How Much Tread Is Left Before a Tire Is Worn Out?
A tire is worn out at 2/32 inch, but grip in rain and snow fades well before that. NHTSA says tires should be replaced at 2/32 inch, while Consumer Reports advises shopping for new tires at 4/32 inch.
Les Schwab's tread life guide puts new passenger-car tread at roughly 8/32 or 11/32 inch and light-truck tread between 11/32 and 19/32 inch. It says most states require at least 2/32 inch, and that light-truck tires may be best replaced at 6/32 inch.
Commercial vehicles have a federal floor. The federal motor carrier tread rule requires at least 4/32 inch on the front tires of buses, trucks and truck tractors, and 2/32 inch on other tires.
| Tread depth | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 6/32 inch | Good point to replace light-truck tires | Les Schwab |
| 5/32 inch | Minimum for winter traction | Bridgestone, Tesla |
| 4/32 inch | Start shopping; more likely to hydroplane | Consumer Reports, Tesla |
| 2/32 inch | Worn out; legal minimum in most states | NHTSA, Les Schwab |
From Les Schwab, Bridgestone, the Tesla Model 3 owner's manual, Consumer Reports and NHTSA.
What worn tread does to braking
AAA research reported by Consumer Reports in June 2018 compared new all-season tires with tires worn to 4/32 inch on wet roads. The worn tires could add up to 87 feet to a passenger car's stopping distance, and cars braking from 60 mph on them were still doing 40 mph where cars on new tires had stopped.
The losses start well before 4/32 inch. CR's winter tread report, updated December 3, 2025, tested three popular all-season tires shaved to about half tread, which usually leaves 5/32 to 6/32 inch. Compared with full tread, they lost 14 percent of their snow traction, 7 percent of their wet braking from 60 mph and 8 percent of their hydroplaning resistance. CR says that if your tires are at 5/32 inch in the fall, you should start shopping.
How to Check Tread: Penny, Quarter and Wear Bars
You can check tread in under a minute with a penny, a quarter or the wear bars molded into the tire. A tread depth gauge gives an exact number.
Penny and quarter tests
NHTSA's penny test: place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, replace your tires. Bridgestone says that means the tread is under 2/32 inch.
For the quarter test, put George Washington's head into one of the big grooves. Consumer Reports' tire replacement guide says that if the top of his head is flush with the tread, you have about 4/32 inch left. If you can see space above his head, you may need new tires immediately.
Wear bars and gauges
NHTSA says built-in treadwear indicators, raised sections between the tread, mark the replacement point: when the tread is level with them, replace the tire. Les Schwab cautions that the bars are not accurate on all tires, including snow and winter tires. For a precise reading, Nokian says to test all four tires and have a shop measure them with a tread depth gauge.
Treadwear Warranties by Tire Type
A treadwear warranty is the closest thing to a printed lifespan, and it varies widely by tire type. Long-life touring tires carry the biggest numbers, while many winter and summer tires carry none.
| Example tire | Tire type | Treadwear warranty |
|---|---|---|
| Michelin Defender2 | Standard touring all-season | 80,000 miles, 6 years |
| Michelin CrossClimate2 | Grand touring all-season | 60,000 miles, 6 years |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 | Off-road all-terrain | 50,000 miles, 6 years |
| Michelin X-Ice Snow | Studless ice and snow | 40,000 miles, 6 years |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | Max performance summer | 30,000 miles, 6 years |
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Studless ice and snow | None |
Warranty terms and tire categories from Tire Rack's product listings, checked October 2026. The Michelin listings halve the mileage for rear tires that are a different size from the fronts, and the X-Ice Snow warranty applies only to use between September 1 and April 30. Terms change, so confirm with the tire maker.
Michelin's warranty page covers a tire for the life of its original usable tread or six years from the date of purchase, whichever comes first, and says mileage treadwear warranties vary by tire line. Discount Tire adds that manufacturer warranties vary by brand and model and commonly expire at six years.
What the UTQG Treadwear Grade Tells You
The UTQG treadwear number compares a tire's wear rate with a control tire graded 100, so it is not a mileage figure. NHTSA says a tire graded 200 should wear twice as long as the control tire.
The federal UTQG standard measures wear over 16 circuits of a roughly 400-mile course, about 6,400 miles. The same marking carries a traction grade (AA, A, B or C) and a temperature grade (A, B or C), and the rule doesn't cover deep-tread, winter-type snow tires or temporary spares.
Treat the grade as a rough comparison between tires, not a promise. The standard's own example says a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100, and it warns that real-world results may depart significantly from the norm.
What Shortens Tire Life?
Low pressure, poor alignment, skipped rotations, hard driving, heat and heavy loads all wear tires out early. Bridgestone says that without proper maintenance, tire life can be reduced by as much as half.
Pressure, alignment and rotation
NHTSA says properly inflated tires can extend the average life of a tire by 4,700 miles. Use the pressure on the sticker inside the driver's door, not the maximum printed on the tire, as AutoZone advises. If the dash warning comes on, our guide to the TPMS light and tire pressure warnings explains what a solid or flashing light means and how to find the right PSI.
Free tool
Tire Pressure Calculator. Enter your door-placard pressure plus the temperature when you last set the tires and the temperature now, and it estimates today's pressure and how much air to add.
NHTSA says a wheel alignment maximizes tire life and that rotating every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, if your vehicle maker recommends it, reduces irregular wear. Our guide on how often you should rotate your tires covers the intervals in more detail.
Rotation matters because each axle wears differently. On a front-wheel-drive car, the front tires steer, do most of the braking and put down the engine's power, so they usually wear faster than the rears.
Tesla's manual says unbalanced wheels affect handling and tire life. It recommends an alignment if a tire wears unevenly on one side, if the car pulls with the wheel held straight, or after a new set of tires.
| Wear pattern | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Inner or outer shoulder worn | Misalignment |
| Wear along the shoulder edges | Underinflation, missed rotations or both |
| Center of the tread worn | Overinflation or hard acceleration |
| Cupped wear | Suspension problems |
Wear patterns and causes from Bridgestone's tire life guide.
Driving style, roads, heat and loads
Bridgestone says tire life can drop by half if you're routinely hard on the brakes or slam the accelerator. It adds that curbs, potholes and dirt roads can misalign wheels and damage the suspension, while Les Schwab says gravel, de-icer and salt can shorten tread life.
NHTSA says sustained high temperature, such as long drives in hot weather, can cause a tire to deteriorate. It also links irregular wear and damage to underinflation and overloading.
EV weight and instant torque
Electric vehicles are harder on tires. Michelin's guide to EV tire wear says an average EV battery weighs around 1,000 pounds, that instant torque puts higher stress on the driven tires, and that aggressive regenerative braking acts through the tires much like friction braking.
Tire Review's report on J.D. Power's 2024 study says EV tires naturally wear faster because of greater weight and higher torque, yet EV owners expect about the same tire life as owners of gas-powered cars.
Michelin's fixes are tires designed for EVs, regular rotation and alignment, and hard launches in smaller doses. Tesla calls for a rotation every 6,250 miles, or sooner if tread depth differs by 2/32 inch or more.
Winter, Performance and Spare Tires
Winter and performance tires trade tread life for grip, and spares age even if they never touch the road.
Winter tires
Nokian's winter tire guide says winter tires usually last three to five winter seasons. Michelin Canada puts typical winter tire life at four to six seasons of seasonal use.
Warm pavement is the enemy: AutoZone says winter tires wear out extremely fast above 45°F. Swapping them on and off helps the rest of the set, since Les Schwab says snow tires every winter can add months, and possibly years, to your regular tires.
Performance tires
Consumer Reports says tires with higher speed ratings tend to grip and handle better but wear out sooner. Its 2016 ultra-high-performance treadwear test found some UHP summer tires could wear out after just 25,000 miles, mostly under ideal conditions, and that most UHP summer tires carry no treadwear warranty. UHP all-season tires lasted longest, with one model projected at up to 70,000 miles.
Spare tires
NHTSA says spare tires are prone to aging because they seldom get replaced, and that a spare should not replace a worn tire except in emergencies. Michelin says to replace a spare 10 years after manufacture and check its pressure and condition yearly. Edmunds adds that spares mounted under a vehicle deserve extra attention.
How to Make Your Tires Last Longer
Most of what extends tire life is routine care that costs little or nothing.
- Check pressure monthly, as Nokian advises, and use our Tire Pressure Calculator to see how much a temperature swing has changed it.
- Rotate on the schedule in your owner's manual.
- Check alignment when the car pulls, a tire wears on one side or you fit a new set.
- Balance the wheels whenever you feel a vibration.
- Drive smoothly. Bridgestone suggests gentle starts, slowing for corners and steering around potholes.
- Don't overload the vehicle.
- Park in a garage or shade when you can.
- Store tires you aren't using in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as Nokian recommends.
- Inspect every tire monthly, spare included, as Continental advises, and book the yearly professional inspection Michelin calls for after five years of use.
What New Tires Cost
Expect to pay from about $50 to $1,000 per tire, depending on the tier. Firestone Complete Auto Care's tire cost guide splits prices into budget, mid-range and high-end tires, and tells buyers to factor in installation costs and old-tire disposal fees on top.
| Tier | Price per tire |
|---|---|
| Budget | $50 to $150 |
| Mid-range | $100 to $300 |
| High-end | $300 to $1,000 |
Price per tire from Firestone Complete Auto Care (page undated). Installation and old-tire disposal fees are extra.
Firestone says touring tires are usually the most affordable, while performance tires for sports cars are usually priced higher. Pricier tires can also bring better braking and handling and rubber compounds formulated to last longer. Winter tires add to the bill too, since a second set means more up-front cost.
Compare cost over the tire's life, not just the sticker price. Consumer Reports says how long a tire lasts is a significant factor in its true cost, and its UHP testing found that price isn't an indicator of long tread life among ultra-high-performance tires.
If you're considering a size other than the one on your door sticker, the Tire Size Calculator compares it with your current size and shows the change in overall diameter and speedometer reading.
When to Replace Your Tires
Replace a tire as soon as it hits any one of these limits.
| Sign | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tread level with the wear bars, or at 2/32 inch | Replace now | NHTSA |
| Tread at 4/32 inch | Start shopping and replace before grip fades | Consumer Reports |
| 5/32 inch or less with winter coming | Shop for new tires before snow | Consumer Reports, Bridgestone |
| Tire is 6 years old | Replace, per carmakers such as Tesla and Ford | Tesla, Edmunds |
| Tire has had 5 or more years of use | Have it inspected every year | Michelin |
| Tire or spare is 10 years old | Replace regardless of tread | Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental |
| Three-digit DOT date code | Replace; it was made before 2000 | Bridgestone |
| Cut, crack, bulge or blister on the sidewall | Have it inspected right away | Michelin |
From NHTSA, Consumer Reports, Bridgestone, the Tesla Model 3 owner's manual, Edmunds, Michelin and Continental Tire.
Sidewall damage can't be repaired
Michelin says sidewall damage cannot be repaired, and any visible cut, crack, bulge or blister should be inspected immediately. A tire with sidewall damage needs replacing, whatever its tread depth or age.
When to See a Tire Shop or Mechanic
See a professional when tires wear unevenly, vibrate, pull or keep losing air. Bridgestone also suggests a yearly check of suspension, alignment and tires if you often drive on rough roads.
- Uneven or cupped wear, which Bridgestone ties to misalignment and suspension problems
- Vibration or rising tire noise, which Bridgestone says may mean an imbalance or a structural issue
- A car that pulls to one side, which Tesla's manual lists as a reason to schedule an alignment
- Persistent air loss, one of AutoZone's signs that new tires are needed
Shopping for a used car? Edmunds warns that a used car may well be riding on old tires, so read every DOT date code, spare included, alongside the other checks in the Inspect Before You Buy section of our used-car guide.
Tire life comes down to two clocks running at once. Check the tread every month, read the date code once, and replace the tires at 4/32 inch or at the age your carmaker sets, whichever comes first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 20 year old tires still be good?
No. Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental all set 10 years from the date of manufacture as the outer limit, regardless of tread depth, and Discount Tire will not service tires 10 years or older. NHTSA notes that tire aging cannot be detected simply by looking, so a 20-year-old tire that looks fine is still well past every published limit and should be replaced.
Why did my tires only last 30,000 miles?
Several things can cut tread life that short. Bridgestone says neglected maintenance can reduce tire life by as much as half, and routinely hard braking or fast starts can halve it too. Low pressure, poor alignment, skipped rotations, rough roads, summer performance tires and the extra weight and torque of an electric vehicle all wear tread faster.
Do Michelin tires really last 80,000 miles?
Some Michelin lines are warranted for it. Tire Rack lists the Michelin Defender2 with a six-year, 80,000-mile treadwear warranty, halved for rear tires that differ in size from the fronts, while the Pilot Sport 4S carries 30,000 miles. Michelin's limited warranty also ends six years after purchase, and real mileage still depends on pressure, rotation, alignment, driving style and climate.
How much should 4 new tires cost?
It depends on the tier you choose. Firestone Complete Auto Care puts budget tires at $50 to $150 each, mid-range tires at $100 to $300 each and high-end tires at $300 to $1,000 each. Those prices are for one tire, not a set, and Firestone says to budget separately for installation and old-tire disposal fees. Touring tires usually cost the least.
Should new tires go on the front or the back?
Michelin recommends putting new tires on the rear axle when only two are replaced, whether the car is front- or rear-wheel drive, and Bridgestone gives the same advice. Bridgestone adds that cars with different tire sizes front and rear, known as a staggered fitment, should follow the owner's manual. If the old tires wore unevenly, have the alignment checked before the new pair goes on.
Are tires from 2017 still good?
A tire with a date code ending in 17 was made in 2017, so by late 2026 it is past the six-year limit that carmakers such as Tesla, Ford and Nissan set. It will reach the 10-year limit used by Michelin, Bridgestone and Continental during 2027. Have it inspected now, and plan to replace it even if the tread still looks deep.
Sources and References
- NHTSA. Tire Safety Ratings and Awareness (TireWise)
- Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School). 49 CFR 574.5: Tire Identification Requirements
- eCFR (National Archives). 49 CFR 575.104: Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
- eCFR (National Archives). 49 CFR 393.75: Tires
- Tesla. Model 3 Owner's Manual (2017-2023): Tire Care and Maintenance
- Bridgestone Tires. How Long Do Tires Last? Essential Insights for Drivers
- Bridgestone Americas. Tire Replacement Guide: When & How to Replace Tires
- Michelin Canada. When to Replace Tires: Wear, Age, and Safety Signs
- Michelin. Michelin Warranty Information
- Michelin. An Overview About How to Reduce Tire Wear on EVs
- Continental Tire. How Long Does a Tire Last?
- Nokian Tyres. How Long Do Tires Last? Explore Tire Lifespan
- Nokian Tyres. How Long Do Winter Tires Last?
- Consumer Reports. How to Know When to Replace Your Tires
- Consumer Reports. Tires Don't Have to Be Worn Out to Lose Traction in Wet Weather, Study Shows
- Consumer Reports. Make Sure Your Tires Have Enough Tread for a Snowy Winter
- Consumer Reports. Treadwear Testing Shows the Limits of UHP Tires
- Edmunds. How Old, and Dangerous, Are Your Tires?
- AutoZone. How Long Do Tires Last?
- Discount Tire. Tire Lifespan & Aging: How Long Do Tires Last
- Les Schwab Tires. How Long Do Tires Typically Last
- Firestone Complete Auto Care. Understanding the Cost of New Tires
- Tire Review. EV Tire Satisfaction Gap Widens as Wear Rates Increase, J.D. Power Finds
- Tire Rack. Michelin Defender2
- Tire Rack. Michelin CrossClimate2
- Tire Rack. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3
- Tire Rack. Michelin X-Ice Snow
- Tire Rack. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
- Tire Rack. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Written by
CarTipsMentor Team
Researched from the sources listed above and checked against them before publishing. Nobody paid to be mentioned on this page. It is general information, not advice about your own vehicle.
Published . Last updated .
