How often do you change tires?

I have a 2003 Mustang that I barely drove for several years while in college, because I lived practically on-campus. As a result, the mileage is low for an eight-year-old car: about 54,000 miles. But I've never bought new tires. Some online sources say that tires should be switched out every five years; my mechanic says the age doesn't really matter as long as the tread is deep enough, and the tire doesn't show signs of "cupping." I have made sure the tires are rotated on the schedule recommended by the manufacturer. Still, some of the places I've looked seem to say that tires can blow out just due to age. How often do you buy new tires, and how do you decide when it's time?

It really depends where you're from. States that use salt in the winter DESTROY tires. My tires on my truck are the sames ones from when I bought it. They should be good for another 20k.

It really depends where you're from. States that use salt in the winter DESTROY tires. airshocker

I would never let tires go for more than 4 years. Even if the tread is still ok.

I hadn't considered that before. Unfortunately I think my state does use salt on the roads in the winter.

Elraptor

Just make sure as soon as it stops snowing you take your car straight to the car wash. That'll offset a lot of the damage.

I have a 2003 Mustang that I barely drove for several years while in college, because I lived practically on-campus. As a result, the mileage is low for an eight-year-old car: about 54,000 miles. But I've never bought new tires. Some online sources say that tires should be switched out every five years; my mechanic says the age doesn't really matter as long as the tread is deep enough, and the tire doesn't show signs of "cupping." I have made sure the tires are rotated on the schedule recommended by the manufacturer. Still, some of the places I've looked seem to say that tires can blow out just due to age. How often do you buy new tires, and how do you decide when it's time?

Elraptor

It really depends where you're from. States that use salt in the winter DESTROY tires. My tires on my truck are the sames ones from when I bought it. They should be good for another 20k.

airshocker

More than a few professional drivers told me that when it comes to safety, tires are among most important car parts ( and probably most neglected ones as well). I usually change them according to their condition although due to unfavorable personal financial situation I had to sell my car so I won't have to worry about tires for a tleast next 6 months :)

Wait you mean... change the tires by myself? Or like, go to a garage?

Also states where it's really dry, the rubber becomes completely unusable.

Pirate700

Yeah. Frequent car washes and special care to the tires should prevent that. But most people don't do it.

it's more about the condition of the tires than anything else. Make sure there's enough tread, and there's not damage to the tire. If your mechanic doesn't think you need new tires you probably don't cause most will look for any excuse to sell you something.

Personally, I think you're ok. Think of all of the peices of crap driving around that you know haven't had a tire change in a LONG time. But, I guess you should be better safe than sorry.

According to a lot of websites, you should replace your tires every 6 to 8 years. And not using your car much accelerates tire deterioration. So maybe just go ahead and change them if you want to be safe.

If your mechanic doesn't think you need new tires you probably don't cause most will look for any excuse to sell you something.jrhawk42

Good move on having the tires rotated.

What I do is have my car serviced at the dealership where I purchased it (Chrysler). They don't charge for the name, in actuality, their prices are as reasonable as independent shops.

iirc, I replaced my tires around the 4th or 5th year. I have the advice of a great lube & tire technician at my dealership. They never try to "sell" you anything, and they always show you if a part needs replacement.

It's not directly related to time so much as an estimated deterioration of the condition of the tires over time. I'd go with your mechanic on this one.

As a former mechanic and tire changer, tires, as long as you keep the proper amount of air in them and keep them clean, you will not have to change them unless something strange happens like a belt breaks or a shock has gone bad and has allowed the tire to bounce up and down to cause cupping. As long as you cannot see the wear bars across the tread, you are fine. Now, having a proper alignment will also help extend the life of your tires by keeping them running on one side (called camber)of the tire or pointed to far out or in (called toe).

Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold, not after you have been driving for miles. Do not use the pressure listed on the sidewall, look on the driver's door jamb (typical) or the glove box (some Japanese cars have them there). Now if you have a Ford Explorer that lists 26PSI on the tire placard, do not use it as Ford messed up and had big problems due to blowouts and rollovers because of the blowouts, 30-32 is better (Firestone took a big hit because of it all too).

I used my old summer tires until the steel part started to show through one of them. :lol: There are tread wear marks on tires that will tell you when its time to change them though. I don't think age is really a big deal.

I'd give preference to your mechanic instead of someone on the internet. Also, iirc, tires don't deteriorate naturally -- being petroleum derivates, that would take too long.

[QUOTE="TehOverkill"]

I'd give preference to your mechanic instead of someone on the internet. Also, iirc, tires don't deteriorate naturally -- being petroleum derivates, that would take too long.

thegerg

Their validity is ridiculous if you just leave them sitting, without use. Obviously, they'll wear out if you use them...

[QUOTE="TehOverkill"]

[QUOTE="thegerg"] Tires certainly do deteriorate naturally, just like anything else.thegerg

Their validity is ridiculous if you just leave them sitting, without use. Obviously, they'll wear out if you use them...

As I said, that would take too long. Vulcanized rubber has no organic material, and isn't naturally decomposed -- therefor, a tire takes several thousands of years to deteriorate, if not exposed to mechanical stress. TC said his tires have a few years of no usage -- certainly not enough to deteriorate the tire at any considerably amount.