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Do I Need New Car Tires?

When should I change my car tires?

How long does a tire last?

car edito keep five tips and advice

What are the basics?

There is no way to tell exactly how long a tire lasts. The lifespan and mileage of a tire depends 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 a usable condition and have not been worn down to the tread wear indicator. This applies to spare tires as well.

3- Proper care expands a tire’s lifespan

If you take good care of your tires' air pressure, tread wear, alignment and so on, you can increase their longevity. 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.

Learn how to check my tyre's production date with it's DOT code

What damages tires?

Physical factors:

  • Age
  • Wear and damage
  •  

Road conditions:

  • Potholes, obstacles, kerbs, sharp objects, speed bumps
  •  

Climate:

  • Extreme temperatures
  • Rain, snow and ice
  • Oil, grease and other chemicals
  • Strong sunlight and ozone
car edito what damages tires tips and advice

Driving habits:

  • Speeding
  • Quick starts 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
  •  

Improper usage:

  • Using summer tyres on snow and ice
  • Mixing tyre types
  • Using 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
  • Re-inflating a tire that has been run flat or seriously under inflated
  • Using a spare tire of a different size at speeds in excess of 50 mph
car edito infographic is my tire worn out tips and advice

Do I need to change now?

We recommend to replace your tire if:

  • The tread is worn beyond the recommended tread depth levels
  • The sidewall is damaged
  • Any hole in the tread is greater than 6 mm in diameter
  • The bead is damaged or deformed (the bead is the edge of the tire that sits on the wheel)

1-  Inspect your tire regularly and look for:

  • Uneven tread wear
  • Shallow tread
  • Troublemakers (rocks, nails, etc.)
  • Damaged areas
  • Damaged valve caps

2- Pay attention to the “feel" of your tires as you drive.

  • A rough ride may indicate tire damage or excessive wear.
  • If you notice vibrations or other disturbances while driving, immediately reduce speed, drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road and stop, and inspect your tires.
  • If a tire is damaged, deflate it and replace it with your spare. If you do not see any tire damage and cannot identify the source of the vibration, take the vehicle to a tire dealer for a thorough inspection.
  •  

3- See a professional

  • If you see something that you’re not sure about during your inspection, have it examined by your tire dealer.

  • To identify a specific problem

How do I inspect my tires?

1- Check your air pressure

  • It’s quick and can prevent many problems
  • Do it once a month

See Air pressure: what should I know?

2- Check the tread wear with one of the two methods:

  • With a tread depth gauge
  • With the tread-wear indicators

See How to check if you have enough tread left.

car edito how inspect tyres tips and advice

3- Inspect your tires for wear and damage problems

  • Check your sidewall for any punctures or bumps and the tread to see if the tires are wearing evenly
  • Be sensitive to any changes in handling or steering
     

When should I inspect my tires?

  • Once every month
  • Before you go on a long road trip.
  •  

Next steps :

  • Any visible perforation, cut or deformation must be checked thoroughly by a tire professional.
  • Only a tire professional can tell you if your tire can be repaired or has to be changed.
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