How long do tires last?
Two clocks run on every tire. Mileage: most all-season tires deliver 25,000 to 50,000 miles, with touring models warrantied higher, and your driving style, alignment, and rotation habits deciding where you land. Age: rubber degrades chemically regardless of use, so manufacturers and NHTSA advise inspection after five years and many recommend replacement around six to ten years even with healthy tread. The birthdate is stamped on the sidewall, the last four digits of the DOT code, week and year.
Tread check: insert a quarter upside down in the groove. If the top of Washington's head is visible, you are near 4/32 of an inch, where wet-weather grip fades and replacement shopping should start. The old penny test's 2/32 is the legal minimum, not a safe target.
The free longevity program: check pressure monthly, since underinflation is the leading tire killer, rotate every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, and fix pulling or uneven wear promptly; those are alignment problems eating your tires in plain sight.
Figure 25,000 to 50,000 miles or six years, whichever comes first: rubber ages even in a garage. Test tread with a quarter at Washington's head, and check pressure monthly; nothing extends tire life more.
- NHTSA tire safety
- Tire Industry Association
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https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-do-tires-last/Everybody Asks. (2026, July 28). How long do tires last? https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-do-tires-last/“How long do tires last?” Everybody Asks, 28 July 2026, https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-do-tires-last/.“How long do tires last?” Everybody Asks. Last modified July 28, 2026. https://frequentlyaskedquestions.us/q/how-long-do-tires-last/.This page summarizes the primary sources listed above. For academic or encyclopedic work, cite those primary sources directly wherever possible.