Last Updated on March 14, 2023 by Henry T. Hawkins
When it comes to the lifespan of your tires, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The tread life expectancy chart varies depending on several factors, including the make and model of your car, the type of driving you do, and the climate where you live.
That being said, there are some general guidelines that can give you an idea of how long your tires should last. In this blog post, we will take a look at the tire tread life expectancy chart and discuss what it means for you and your vehicle.
Tire Tread Life Expectancy Chart
The tire tread life expectancy chart is a handy tool that can help you estimate how long your tires will last. The chart is based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data.
Let’s have a look at the tire tread depth chart below and try to understand your tire’s lifespan a bit better.
| Tread Depth (mm) | Comment | Estimated Years Left (Guesses) |
| 8 | Excellent | 6 |
| 7 | Good | 5½ |
| 6 | Good | 5 |
| 5 | Good | 4 ½ |
| 4 | Ok | 4 |
| 3 | Not Good | 3 ½ |
| 2 | Bad | 3 |
| 1.66 | Limit Set By Law | Under two years |
The chart above should not be considered definitive. Instead, seeing a professional mechanic would be beneficial.
They’ll check your tires and give you a more accurate quote. So, instead of guessing when you need to change your tires, you’ll know for sure.
Also read: Is it better to get tires from Costco or discount tire
How Long Do Tires Last On Average?
The average life span is between 3 and 6 years, or 25,000 and 50,000 miles. However, this can vary depending on the type of tire, the make and model of your vehicle, and your driving habits.
For example, if you regularly drive on rough roads or in bad weather conditions, your tires will wear out faster than if you mostly stick to highways and drive in fair weather.
If you take good care of your tires and rotate them regularly, you can extend their lifespan. Similarly, if you drive a lot, you will need to replace your tires more often than someone who doesn’t.
The best way to know how long your tires will last is to consult the tire manufacturer’s warranty. Most brands offer a tread life warranty of around 40,000 to 60,000 miles. However, this is only an estimate, and your tires may last longer or shorter than this, depending on the factors mentioned above.
If you’re not sure how many miles are on your tires, you can check the tread depth. Once the tread depth gets down to around four millimeters, it’s time to start thinking about replacing your tires.
Of course, the best way to know for sure when to replace your tires is to consult a professional. They can inspect your tires and let you know if they need to be replaced.
Also read: What is the safe speed to drive your car
How to Increase Tire Life?
Although there is no guaranteed way to make your tires last forever, there are some things you can do to increase their lifespan.
Buy the right tires for your car:
First, make sure you buy the right tires for your car. There are different types of tires designed for different vehicles and driving conditions.
For example, if you live in a cold climate, you’ll want to get winter tires. Or, if you do a lot of off-roading, you’ll need tires designed for that type of driving.
Once you have the right tires, it’s important to take care of them.
Keep tires properly inflated:
You can take care of your tires to keep them properly inflated.
Underinflated tires can wear out more quickly and are more likely to get a flat.
You can check the pressure of your tires with a tire pressure gauge. The ideal pressure for your tires will be listed in your car’s owner’s manual.
It’s important to check the pressure of your tires at least once a month.
Rotate your tires:
Another way to take care of your tires is to rotate them regularly. This means moving the front tires to the back and the back tires to the front.
Most mechanics recommend that you rotate your tires every 5000 miles or so. This helps to distribute the wear and tear on your tires evenly.
Keep the tires balanced:
You should also keep the tires balanced to increase their lifespan. This means making sure that the weight of the tire is evenly distributed.
If the weight is not evenly distributed, it can cause the tire to wear out more quickly.
Drive carefully:
You should build good driving habits. This means driving carefully and avoiding things that can damage your tires.
For example, you should avoid going over speed bumps too fast or hitting curbs when you’re parking.
You should also avoid driving in potholes or on other rough roads. Plus, you should start and stop slowly to avoid putting too much stress on the tires.
Don’t turn the steering wheel when the car is stopped. This wears down the tire surface prematurely.
Brake gently:
When braking, you should do it gently to avoid damaging the tires. Hard braking can cause the tires to wear down more quickly.
It can also cause the tires to lose their grip on the road, leading to a skid.
Check the alignment:
If your car’s alignment is off, it can cause the tires to wear down prematurely. You should get your car’s alignment checked at least once a year.
Regular tire inspection:
It’s important to inspect your tires regularly. This means looking for any signs of damage, such as cracks or bald spots.
If you see any damage, you should take your car to a mechanic to have the tires repaired or replaced.
Also read: Why does my new car smell like burning
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Replace Your Tires?
There are a few signs that it’s time to replace your tires. Let’s take a look at some of the most common signs:
The tread depth is low:
As we mentioned before, the tread depth is a good indicator of when it’s time to replace your tires. If the tread depth is below three millimeters, it’s time to start shopping for new tires.
You can check the tread depth of your tires with a tire tread depth gauge.
When your tires have lost treads, you won’t be able to obtain traction. As a result, your driving will not be the same if you can’t gain traction. So if you drive with low treads, it may lead to skidding and accidents.
Noise While Driving:
If your tires are making noise while you’re driving, it’s a sign that they need to be replaced.
The noise is usually caused by the treads being too worn down. When the treads are worn, they can’t grip the road as well, which leads to a noisy ride.
You may hear a humming noise or listen to a thumping noise. Either way, it’s time to get new tires.
Vibrations While Driving:
If you’re driving and you feel vibrations coming from the tires, it means that the tires wear out. You may feel vibrations in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard.
If you’re feeling vibrations, it’s important to get your car checked out by a mechanic. They can help you figure out if it’s a tire issue or something else.
If it’s time to replace your tires, you need to know what are the worst tire brands so that you can avoid them buying.
What Is The Best Treadwear Number (Grading)?
The best treadwear number is 600+, a good treadwear number is between 500-599, and anything below that is considered a poor treadwear number.
But what exactly is treadwear grade, and how does it work?
Treadwear ratings are a system that grades tires and gives an indication of how long they will last. If the grade is high, it indicates that the tire will endure for a long time. And vice versa is also true.
A tire with a low treadwear grade will not last as long. The grades are determined by performing tests on the tires. The tests are conducted on a track where the car goes around in circles.
As the car goes around, a machine measures how quickly the treads wear down. The tests are conducted under controlled conditions, so the results are accurate.
NTSHA calls the treadwear numbers UTQG ratings. You can learn more about it by following the link.
Here’s a list of the treadwear rankings that are currently in use on US roads: Percentage Of All Tires
| Percentage Of All Tires | Treadwear Grade |
| 2% | 600+ |
| 6% | 501 – 600 |
| 20% | 401 – 500 |
| 32% | 301 – 400 |
| 25% | 201 – 300 |
| 15% | Under 200 |
How Often Should You Change Your Tires?
It’s generally recommended that you change your tires every six years. However, this may vary depending on how often you drive and your conditions.
For example, if you live in an area with a lot of snow and ice, you may need to change your tires more frequently. This is because the snow and ice can wear down the treads on your tires.
You may also need to change your tires more frequently if you drive often. This is because the tires will wear down faster.
It’s important to keep an eye on your tires and change them when they need to be changed. If you don’t, it can lead to accidents and other problems.
Also read: Should you go to Walmart to get your tires rotated
Why Do New Car Tires Wear Out So Quickly?
One of the main reasons new car tires wear out so quickly is that they’re made of softer rubber. The softer rubber is designed to grip the road better. However, it also wears down faster.
But you can only blame your carmaker because they are the main culprit behind this. For example, your car manufacturer sends tire design specifications to the tire company.
The specifications will include the width, diameter, and other factors that affect how the tire will perform. The tire company will then make the tire to those specifications.
However, the tire companies know that most people don’t keep their cars long enough to need new tires.
So they make the tires to a lower standard so that they will wear out quickly and people will have to buy new tires sooner.
This might seem like a bad thing, but it’s actually good for business. It’s how the tire companies make money.
Wrapping up:
Thanks for reading the complete guide on the tire tread life expectancy chart. We hope you’ve found this guide helpful and informative. To sum up, we just want to mention that tires are an important part of any vehicle.
They provide traction and stability on the road, and they also play a role in the car’s overall safety. Therefore, it is important to make sure that your tires are always in good condition. One way to do this is to keep track of their tread life expectancy.
So, that’s why it’s essential to keep an eye on your tires and change them when they need to be changed. If you don’t, it can lead to accidents and other problems.
Thanks for reading once again. Please share this guide with your friends and family so that they can also get benefit from it.