How long do tires last, and when should you replace them?
Tires last until the tread wears down to 2/32 inch, the legal minimum in most states, or until they get too old, whichever comes first. Many drivers replace them sooner, at 4/32 inch, for better grip in rain. Tire makers such as Michelin and Continental say to replace any tire 10 years after it was made, and some carmakers say 6 years.
On this page (10 sections)
The short answer
| Check | Replace when | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth | 2/32 inch or less; plan for new tires at about 4/32 inch | Penny or quarter test, a tread depth gauge, or the wear bars |
| Age | 10 years from the date made (tire makers); 6 years for some carmakers | The date code on the sidewall: tire date code calculator |
| Damage | Bulges, deep cuts, cracks, or a puncture that can’t be repaired | Look at both sidewalls and the tread; ask a tire shop |
Miles are the hardest part to predict. They depend on the tire and on how and where you drive, so there is no single number that fits every car.
Tread depth: the main test
Tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. The grooves carry water out from under the tire. As they get shallower, the tire grips less on wet roads and takes longer to stop. Here is how AAA describes the levels:
| Tread depth | What it means |
|---|---|
| 6/32 inch or more | Good tread |
| 4/32–5/32 inch | Still usable; plan to replace soon |
| 3/32 inch | Have the tires checked or replaced (Ford lists less than 3/32 inch as a sign) |
| 2/32 inch or less | Replace now: the legal minimum in most places |
From AAA and Ford guidance. A few states set a different legal minimum; your state’s rule is in its vehicle code.
Measure in several grooves and across the width of the tire. If one edge is much lower than the other, the tire is wearing unevenly, which often points to an alignment or inflation problem.
The penny test and the quarter test
A coin is a quick way to check tread without a gauge. The penny test shows 2/32 inch; the quarter test shows about 4/32 inch.
- Pick a spot. Use a main groove near the middle of the tire, and later repeat on the inner and outer grooves.
- Penny test. Put a penny into the groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is less than 2/32 inch. Replace the tire.
- Quarter test. Put a quarter into the groove with Washington’s head upside down. If the top of his head is covered, you have at least 4/32 inch. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is below 4/32 inch: start shopping for tires.
- Check every tire. Front and rear tires often wear at different rates.
AAA recommends the quarter test over the penny test, because tires that fail the penny test are already worn past the safe point. For an exact reading, use a tread depth gauge, or ask a tire shop to measure.
Treadwear indicator bars
Every passenger car tire has built-in wear bars: small raised strips across the bottom of the grooves. Federal rules (49 CFR 571.139) require them to show when the tread is down to 1/16 inch, which is the same as 2/32 inch, with at least 6 spaced around a tire that fits a rim larger than 12 inches. When the tread is flush with the bars, the tire is at the limit.
Miles: what decides how long tires last
How many miles a set of tires lasts depends on:
- The tire. Many tires come with a treadwear (mileage) warranty: the maker’s own estimate of how far the tread should go, if you follow its care rules. Look for it in the paperwork or on the maker’s website.
- The treadwear grade. Most passenger tires show a treadwear number on the sidewall (part of the UTQG grades). It compares wear in a government test: a tire graded 150 wears 1.5 times as well as one graded 100. Real wear varies with driving, roads, and climate, and winter tires are not graded.
- How you drive. Hard starts, hard braking, and fast cornering wear tread faster.
- Care. Low pressure, missed rotations, and poor alignment cause fast or uneven wear.
- Roads and climate. Rough roads, gravel, potholes, and heat all take a toll.
To estimate your own tires’ life, divide the warranty miles by the miles you drive in a year. Example: a 60,000-mile warranty at 12,000 miles a year is about 5 years, if the tread wears as rated. Then check the tread instead of trusting the estimate. Writing down the date and odometer when you buy tires, in a car maintenance log, lets you see how many miles you really got.
Age: 6 to 10 years
Rubber ages even when the tread is deep. That matters most for spare tires, cars that sit, and trailers.
- Michelin: after 5 years in service, have a trained tire professional inspect the tires at least once a year; replace them 10 years after the date they were made, spares included.
- Continental: replace tires made more than 10 years ago, spares included, and follow your vehicle maker if it gives a different age.
- Some vehicle makers: 6 years. Ford’s 2013 Escape owner’s manual says tires should generally be replaced after 6 years regardless of tread wear, and sooner with heat or heavy loads.
Age counts from the date the tire was made, not the date it was installed. To read it, use the tire date code calculator.
Signs you need new tires now
Have a tire shop look at a tire right away if you notice any of these, from Ford’s and Michelin’s lists:
- Bulges, blisters, or bubbles on the sidewall
- Cracks in the sidewall or in the tread grooves
- Cuts, punctures, snags, or the tread separating
- A tire that keeps losing air
- New vibration, or the car pulling to one side
- Less grip, or longer stops, especially on wet roads
- Damage from driving on a flat
Don’t drive far on a tire with a bulge. If you are not sure, check with a tire shop and your owner’s manual.
How to make tires last longer
- Check pressure monthly and before long trips, with the tires cold (parked 3 hours or more, or driven less than 2 miles), as Michelin advises. Use the pressure on the sticker in the driver’s door jamb or in your owner’s manual, not the maximum printed on the tire.
- Rotate on schedule. Your owner’s manual gives the interval. See tire rotation.
- Get an alignment check if you see uneven wear or the car pulls.
- Drive smoothly and slow down for potholes and curbs.
- Don’t overload the car. The maximum load is on the door sticker.
Correct pressure also saves gas: fueleconomy.gov says under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop. These checks are on our printable car maintenance checklist.
FAQ
How many miles do tires last?
It depends on the tire and how you drive. The best guide for your tires is their treadwear warranty, if they have one, and the treadwear grade on the sidewall. Then check the tread: replace at 2/32 inch at the latest, and plan for new tires near 4/32 inch.
How do you do the penny test on tires?
Put a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is below 2/32 inch and the tire needs replacing. Check several grooves on every tire.
What is the minimum legal tread depth?
2/32 inch in most places, according to AAA. Tires have wear bars that show this depth. A few states differ, so check your state’s vehicle code.
Should I replace my tires at 4/32 inch?
AAA treats 4/32 inch as the point to plan for new tires, and recommends the quarter test for that reason. Tires are still legal there in most states, but they grip less on wet roads than deeper tread does.
Do tires wear out if you don’t drive much?
The tread may last, but the rubber still ages. Michelin and Continental recommend replacing tires 10 years after they were made, and some carmakers say 6 years. Read the date code to know the age.
Sources
- AAA, When to replace tires: check your tread (penny and quarter tests, tread depth levels) (checked November 12, 2026): aaa.com
- 49 CFR 571.139, S5.4, Treadwear indicators: law.cornell.edu
- 49 CFR 575.104, Uniform tire quality grading standards (treadwear grade): law.cornell.edu
- Michelin, When do I need new tires?: michelinman.com
- Michelin, Tire safety tips (pressure checks): michelinman.com
- Continental, Tire age: continental-tires.com
- Continental Tire, How long does a tire last?: continentaltire.com
- Ford, How often should I replace my tires? (signs to check): ford.com
- Ford, 2013 Escape owner’s manual, tires section (copy on ManualsLib): manualslib.com
- fueleconomy.gov, Keeping your vehicle in shape (tire pressure and MPG): fueleconomy.gov