WHEN DO YOU REPLACE TIRES?
Replace tires as soon as they are worn to unsafe tread depths, are damaged, are part of a manufacturer’s recall, or you’re personally unhappy with them.
America's Tire recommends replacing your tires at 6 years of age, regardless of how much tread is left. For your safety, America's Tire will not service a tire that exceeds 10 years of age.
Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road. It’s important that they’re well maintained and healthy to protect your safety, improve vehicle performance, and prevent accidents.
Tires can last longer than six years but exposure to outside elements, storage conditions, temperature changes, maintenance, and rough usage puts an unknown degree of wear on your tires. There could be damage or wear you cannot see.
7 SIGNS IT’S TIME TO REPLACE YOUR TIRES
Tires are a big cost to vehicle ownership so drivers are rightfully concerned with when to replace them. Here are seven sure-fire signs that it’s time to retire your tires:
Irregular Treadwear
Alignment issues (most common)
Unbalanced wheels/lack of tire rotation
Worn suspension components
Improper tire pressure
Tire or vehicle damage
Bad driving habits
Tire Age
Tire Mileage
Road and weather conditions you see most often
Mileage warranties
Consumer reviews
Your driving style and priorities
Bulging and Bubbling Tires
Manufacturer’s defect
Shipping damage
Force trauma (due to road debris or objects)
Driving over potholes or curbs
Cracking or Dry Rot
Prolonged UV exposure
Extreme heat or cold
Extended periods of inactivity
Reduced Safety or Performance
Reduced traction
Longer stopping distances
Poor handling
Excessive vibration
You Aren’t Satisfied With Your Tires
Poor performance/doesn’t meet expectations
Noise
Premature wear
Rough ride
Irregular treadwear of any sort is one of the most common issues that may require tire replacement. Irregular wear affects the performance (such as traction, efficiency, and handling) and safety.
There are a few potential causes:
Did you know that some of our stores now offer alignment services?
ALIGNMENT SERVICESBefore you rush off to a repair shop, bring your vehicle in so we can diagnose the issue. It’s possible the wear can be mitigated with regular tire rotations.
TIRE ROTATIONSTire age is another big factor for tire replacement.
We recommend replacing tires aged 6 years or older. For your safety, we won’t service tires 10 years or older.
Even if you don’t drive a lot, your tires may still need to be replaced due to their age. Even when not in use, tires age according to a variety of factors, such as sun exposure, temperature changes, and storage conditions.
Also: rubber compounds will naturally deteriorate over time and increase the risk of tire failure.
Replace your tires at six years of age, regardless of the mileage or tread depth.
If you’re splitting your time between summer tires and winter tires, you will still want to stick to this rule (even if you’re storing your tires correctly).
All tires, regardless of tire type, will eventually wear out.
However, some tire types wear more quickly because they’re not meant to be driven a lot, such as ultra-high performance tires or all-terrain tires. Touring or all-season tires tend to last the longest.
When tire shopping, keep the following in mind:
Tires without mileage warranties can still offer good longevity. We recommend you use Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide, to help make the most informed decision possible when tire shopping. It will show you the best tires for you, your drive, and your vehicle.
START WITH TREADWELLTires with bulging or bubbling sidewalls are a safety hazard and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Bulging, or swelling from the tire’s sidewall, indicates a tire has been damaged or weakened in some way. This could potentially lead to tire failure or a blow out. This type of tire damage has immediate and negative consequences on performance and comfort.
Unfortunately, you cannot repair bulging or bubbling tires.
There are several potential causes:
Tires exposed to harsh conditions can develop cracking or dry rot.
Common causes include:
As rubber compounds deteriorate, the risk of tire failure increases. Dry rot cannot be repaired.
We cover more information about dry rot here.
If you can, choose higher-quality tires that offer improved resistance to environmental damage.
Tires become a liability when they stop performing well or safely. If you notice:
It may be time for new tires – even if the tread depth looks acceptable.
Regular inspections can help identify issues before they cause accidents or blowouts. America's Tire offers free inspections!
FREE TIRE INSPECTIONMany drivers spend considerable time behind the wheel and want to enjoy the experience.
Whether you’ve put some miles on them or they’re only a few weeks old, common reasons drivers aren’t happy with their tires include:
Many tire manufacturers include “Try & Buy” or satisfaction guarantees (with limitations) to give customers some leeway in returning their tires if they’re not satisfied with their purchase.
If you have purchased your tires through us and are unsatisfied, we want to make it right. Check out our legendary return policy below:
AMERICA'S TIRE RETURN POLICYTIRE REPLACEMENT FAQs
The below are some of the most frequently asked questions by our customers when it comes to tire replacement.
(Do you mean how to change a tire?)
Replacing your tire doesn’t have to be a hassle.
Find the best tires for you easily with Treadwell. Simply add:
Your vehicle make, model, and trim
Where you drive
What kind of driving you do
It will recommend the best tires that fit your vehicle and your needs. It’s the same program we use to make our recommendations in-store.
START WITH TREADWELLNeed to replace half of your tires, not a whole set? Check out our thoughts on replacing two tires!
Tires should be replaced at least every 6 years, or sooner depending upon tread wear, tire damage, or performance dissatisfaction.
Modern tires offer better and safer performance than years past. Their tread designs offer superior traction, braking, and control. In an effort to increase fuel efficiency, tires are also designed to be more efficient and last longer.
It depends. Tire prices vary greatly by size, tire type, and brand. For a broad estimate, a full set of tires will cost around $600-700.
You can see our tire prices guide here, which breaks down average pricing based on wheel size and tire type.
We guarantee the lowest prices on all tires we have in stock. Plus, we offer a number of FREE tire services that include air checks, tire rotations, flat repair, and more for our customers.
Unfortunately, we are not a fully-equipped auto shop. Please check out our services not offered at America's Tire for a full list.
Yes, but it depends on your vehicle’s drivetrain.
If you have AWD or 4WD, you should replace all four to avoid stressing or even damaging your drivetrain.
For FWD or RWD vehicles, position the two new tires on the rear axle. We explain more about replacing two tires here.
A new set of four tires is the safest and best performing option.
Replacing all four tires is the safest and best performing option. But sometimes only two need to be replaced due to damage or irregular wear. Or a new full set isn’t in your budget.
America's Tire offers a number of financing options and promotions to help you get the tires you need.
Your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alerts you when your tire pressure drops below safe levels.
The correct air pressure is critical for:
Safety
Tire longevity
Fuel efficiency
Replacing your TPMS is complex because:
Tires must often be removed from the wheel
Sensors must sync with your vehicle’s computer
Specialized tools are often required
America's Tire offers TPMS inspections and installation services. During our inspections, we’ll make sure your batteries and sensors are accurate.
MAKE AN APPOINTMENTAlthough we will install sensors you bring in, we cannot guarantee their functionality.
Have an older vehicle without TPMS? We offer retrofit kits to modernize your system!
You may or may not need a wheel alignment when replacing your tires.
An alignment adjusts your vehicle’s suspension to make sure they point straight and wear evenly.
Misalignment can cause:
Uneven treadwear (“cupping”)
Poor handling
Steering issues
If your old tires show uneven wear, your America's Tire technician may recommend an alignment.
Select America's Tire stores now offer alignment services. See which stores provide wheel alignment services below:
FIND AMERICA'S TIRE STORE WHEEL ALIGNMENT SERVICESFor vehicles that are getting lifted with upsized rims and/or tires, we also recommend an alignment.
Ready to roll?
Looking for a safe tire for your family? Check out our blog on the safest tires for families!
If you have any questions or concerns, please come to us. Safety is our number one concern and making sure you roll out of our bays safe and satisfied is our ultimate goal.
Walk-ins are always welcome but we also encourage you to buy and make your appointment online first. Wait less time when you buy and book online!