When Do I Need to Replace the Tires on My Car? | OK Carz

Close up of a mechanic holding a tire upright

How Can You Tell that Your Tires Are Going Bad?

The tires on your car will go bad from heavy wear or old age. When do you need to replace the tires on your car? How can you tell that your tires are going bad? Along with knowing the average timeframe of when to replace your tires, you should also understand the warning signs that your tires are wearing quicker than expected.

[ READ MORE: What to Do After a Car Accident ]

Signs that Your Tires are Worn

As tires get used, the tread becomes worn down. Eventually, there won’t be much tread left, making driving dangerous. Little to no tread creates slipping when trying to stop and can lead to a crash since the tires won’t get the necessary traction. You can do the quarter test to see how worn your tires are. Place a quarter head-first into the tread. If you can see the top of the president’s head, then you need those tires replaced.

How Often to Get New Tires on a Vehicle

Experts recommend that tires get replaced every three to four years. For most drivers, age isn’t really a concern as the tread will usually be worn down over the four-year period. However, some drivers don’t drive their vehicles very often. Is it safe to go a long time without changing the tires, even if the tread is good? Unfortunately, the tires will be unsafe to drive with as they approach five years of age.

Why do tires have an expiration date? It all comes down to the fact that tires are made of rubber. Like an old rubber band, the rubber loses its elasticity and becomes fragile. Eventually, cracks will begin to form on and/or inside the tire. The rubber of your old tire can snap, making you lose control of your vehicle. Yikes!

Close up of a person's finger pointing to the low tread on a tire

Close up of a tire with cracks on it

Keep Records of Tire Replacements

Even if you are a driver that travels frequently, it is always a good idea to keep receipts of your tire replacements. These receipts will tell you the date you had the service done and whether all four tires were purchased and replaced.

For more safety tips like this, visit the OkCarz blog! If you are in the market for a used car, check out our large and diverse inventory on our website.

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