The wheel, one of the most important discoveries that have jump-started human civilization, is believed to have been invented only once in one place and then spread out throughout the world. But figuring out how often to replace tires is not as nearly challenging as reinventing the wheel. The first wheel dates back to 3,130 BC, and scientists still try to decide where the first one was made, but one thing is for sure – the wheel was something that has changed the course of human history and it still has a major role in it.
Thanks to Robert William Thomson, who invented the first vulcanized pneumatic tires, nowadays we can have safe and smooth rides that can go for miles without hiccups. But no matter if you have some popular import car, SUV, truck, or the president’s limo, you’ll have to know how to tell when to replace tires. Because no matter how lasting rubber is, it still can wear off, which can put you in grave danger.
Before we start talking about how often do you need new tires, let’s crack open some tire-related myths first. For starters, the most common myth related to the question of “how often should tires be changed” is that if your car is a front-wheel drive, you should just replace the front pneumatics. That is false because you should change all four car’s rubber shoes at the same time to maintain even tread wear off. And it is also recommended to rotate them every 6,200 miles to ensure they wear out evenly. Here are other myths that are false and can lead to bad maintenance:
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are around 15,000 tire-related crashes in the US. Bad rubber on your wheels can cause your car to roll over, go off the road, or into oncoming traffic. You, your family, passengers in the car, and pedestrians can be injured or worse. We all know how important it is to have full control of our vehicle, especially in bad weather. That is why it is important to know how often to replace car tires and how to do proper maintenance. And if you wonder, “how often do I need new tires,” the official answer is after five to ten years, but this can defer depending on the conditions of your pneumatics.
Once you get new shoes for your car, you should implement some rules on how to behave to ensure pneumatics last as long as they are meant to. You should take it easy while driving to break the rubber in. When buying fresh tires for your car, they may produce different sounds than you’re used to. So keep it easy and give yourself time to adjust to the change. Also, to keep every tire in good condition for a long time, you should regularly do the following maintenance even if you have some of the most expensive cars in the world:
No matter if you have a car for city driving or any of the cars for off-road driving, your pneumatics will have the duration, and they will have to be replaced in time. Still, time is not the only thing you should measure when changing tires. You should also ask yourself how many miles to replace tires. The general guide would instruct you to change them after 60,000 miles, but this moment can come sooner, depending on the driver. For example, beginner drivers tend to wear off their pneumatics much faster due to frequent sudden braking.
Still, even if you only used your car for driving through Los Angeles and took good care of your wheels, in time, like all material, rubber also wears and tears. So if you bought a used car, make sure to check the age of pneumatics. It’s very easy to do. There are numbers on every piece, so read the last four digits, and they will tell you the date it was produced. But don’t worry, even if you bought a car with a flat tire, you could always use a repair kit to fix it as long as the rubber is under ten years old.
No matter what kind of car you drive, the rules are the same, and since you know how often do tires need to be replaced (after ten to five years is a general rule,) now it is time to answer how to tell if your pneumatics require a change before the actual need for replacement occurs. As we mentioned, the answer to the question of how often tires should be replaced depends on many factors, like driving, maintenance, and physical damage. But there are ways you can test your tires at home and see if they require replacement. If you are relocating to another state and plan to get to know some of the most famous routes in the USA, double-check your wheels.
We all know what happens if you put the wrong gas in your car but what happens if you don’t know how often do you need to replace tires? Or if you don’t know the symptoms of worn-off wheels? Imagine this – you are driving in New York or some other city, and you start to feel vibrations in a steering wheel. Your first thought will probably be that you have to replace U joints, but this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.
You can feel vibrations due to uneven, worn-down pneumatics, which, you will agree, can be quite dangerous. So even if you pick the best time of the year to move, you can never be sure what kind of weather conditions await along the way – it may be rainy, and you don’t want to end up drifting on the road because you haven’t checked your wheels before heading off to your new home.
If you ever started a topic of “how often should I replace my tires” with your friends and family, somebody probably told you to perform “the penny test.” Start by inserting the quarter into the tread in the center of the pneumatic. George Washington’s hair will be your guide. The head should be pointing toward the wheel. If the tread is aligned with the top of his head, your tires are safe. If it is not, you should take your car to a professional shop for a check-up.
You can also try and just look at your pneumatics to see if there are any bubbles and bulges. This usually indicates that the internal frame of the rubber has been damaged. Also, kick the rubbers or put pressure on them with your weight and see if they will bend inside. Another thing to look up for is sidewalks cuts or cracks. As you know, the rubber must be kept under specific conditions. Extreme climate changes can cause this material to deteriorate, leading to visible cracks on your pneumatics. And last but not least, look for stones, nails, or any visible damages. Check this video for more tips on tread depth check.
When we think about how often to change tires, we usually think about seasonal or terrain switches. And it doesn’t matter that evolution of cars has come a long way – it is still something highly recommended. As you know, there are different types of pneumatics you can use for different seasons, weather conditions, and terrain.
For example, you can use all-season pneumatics for a city drive in mild climates with warm summer and mild winters. But for mountains and extremely cold climates, snow tires and additional gear are a must. So if you plan to relocate to Alaska, the best option would be to take Alaska car transport at some USA auto transport company and buy all your winter gear and pneumatics once you relocate. Because you will probably have more winter gear options and more information on what to buy there, just bear in mind to book door-to-door auto transport and have your vehicle delivered to your home. This way, you will avoid driving your car upon arrival without any gear.
On the other hand, if you are relocating to a cold climate but have to drive your car as soon as you get there, the better option would be to shop for all the necessary equipment before putting your car on an open trailer auto transport.
Know that you know the answer to the question “how often should I change tires,” let’s talk about why you should do this before you contact an auto transport company for an open or enclosed auto transport service? For starters, your car shipping company will probably ask for your vehicle to be in drivable condition so they can place it on a trailer. Secondly, if you take terminal to terminal car shipping, you will have to leave your car at the nearest terminal and pick it up the same way at your location. And while most car shipping companies have terminals in major cities, you may be relocating far from these terminals. If so, there will be a ride ahead of you. And you don’t want to drive on unfamiliar roads with unsafe pneumatics. So make sure you do all the checkups before your relocation. That will also save you from driving stress, and you’ll actually get to enjoy novel surroundings with your family.
