Various factors, such as maintenance, temperatures, driving speeds, vehicle loading, and road conditions, influence when you need new tires.
Replace your tires when the tread depth is down to 1/8 of an inch (3.2 mm) for the front tires, or 1/16 of an inch (1.6 mm) for a rear tire. Also, you need a new tire if:
| • | You can see cord or fabric showing through the tire's rubber. |
| • | The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric. |
| • | The tire has a bump, bulge, or split. |
| • | The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that cannot be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage. |
The rubber in tires degrades over time, even if they are not being used. This is also true for the spare tire, if your vehicle has one. Multiple conditions affect how fast this aging takes place, including temperatures, loading conditions, and inflation pressure maintenance. With proper care and maintenance tires will typically wear out before they degrade due to age. If you are unsure about the need to replace your tires as they get older, consult the tire manufacturer for more information.
Caution: Mixing tires could cause you to lose control while driving. If you mix tires of different sizes, brands, or types (radial and bias-belted tires) the vehicle may not handle properly, and you could have a crash. Using tires of different sizes, brands, or types may also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the correct size, brand, and type of tires on your vehicle's wheels.
When you replace tires, make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating, and construction type (bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.
