WHEN DO YOU REPLACE TIRES?
When you replace a tire, it has everything to do with why you're replacing it. In general, you replace tires as soon as they are worn to unsafe tread depths, are damaged, are part of a manufacturer's recall or you are personally unhappy with them.
America's Tire recommends replacing your tires at six 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.
Although tires can last longer than six years (see our page on "how long do tires last" for more details), exposure to outside elements, storage conditions, temperature changes, maintenance and of course usage puts an unknown degree of wear on your tires.
Tires are a huge part of safe driving because they help control your vehicle. Healthy tires are fully functional tires and so the health of your tires is extremely important. Be on the lookout for damage or wear like the following:
Irregular treadwear
Irregular treadwear of any sort is one of the most common issues that may require tire replacement.
There are a few potential causes. The most common is an alignment issue. Worn suspension components may be to blame as well. And if your tires are touching the suspension or fender while you drive, that will also cause irregular wear.
Did you know that some of our stores now offer alignment services?
Before your rush off to a repair shop, bring your vehicle in so that we can diagnose the issue. It's possible that the wear can be mitigated with regular tire rotations.
Tire age
Tire age is another big factor for tire replacement.
We recommend replacing tires aged six years or older. For your safety, we won't service tires 10 years or older.
Don't think that just because you don't drive much you will significantly extend your tire's life. Your tires may need to be replaced due to their age, regardless if you've hit your mileage warranty's limit (if it has one).
This is because, 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 deteriorate over time, increasing the risk of failure.
We recommend replacing your tires at six years of age, even if you only have a few thousand miles clocked on them with plenty of 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).
Tire Mileage
It almost goes without saying but if you put a lot of miles on your tires, they will need to be replaced sooner rather than later.
All tires, no matter the tire type, will wear out and require replacement. But if you're wanting to log as many miles as possible, here's a few things to consider when making a tire purchase:
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Road and weather conditions you see most often
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Mileage warranties
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Consumer reviews
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Your driving style and priorities
While good customer reviews and a stellar mileage warranty are good motivators for your decision, keep in mind that certain types of tires wear down more quickly than others. Generally, sportier, grippier tires with soft compounds will wear faster than regular all-season or touring tires. Aggressive off-road tires are also likely to wear faster than highway-terrain tires due to rigorous use and driving conditions.
And tires without mileage warranties can still provide a lengthy tread life. To help you make the most informed decision possible, we recommend using our personalized tire guide Treadwell. In less than a minute you'll find the best tires for you, your vehicle and your drive. It also offers useful info like average tread life, tire life estimates and even cost (miles per dollar)!
Bulging and bubbling tires
Tires with bulging or bubbling sidewalls are a safety hazard and should be replaced as soon as possible.
Bulging or bubbling sidewalls are exactly what they sound like: swelling from the tire's sidewall. This indicates the tire has been damaged or weakened in some way and could potentially lead to tire failure or a blow out.
Unfortunately, you cannot repair bulging or bubbling tires.
What causes bulging or bubbling tire sidewalls? There are several potential causes:
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Manufacturer's defect
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Shipping damage
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Force trauma (due to road debris or objects)
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Driving over potholes or curbs
This type of tire damage has immediate and negative impacts on your ride's performance and comfort that's hard to ignore. So, you will likely notice it pretty quickly!
Extreme environment exposure
Tires are constantly exposed to outside elements that cause wear. If left outside without regular protection, your tires can begin to crack or develop dry rot. Think of it like getting a bad sunburn!
UV rays and extreme temperatures (both hot and cold), combined with extended disuse can cause dry rot. This happens because the rubber elements begin to deteriorate due to the harsh conditions.
Regular inspections can help you spot this before it becomes a serious issue. The bad news: dry rot can't be repaired, but opting for higher quality tires when you replace them can help avoid dry rot. This is because rubber mixtures in high-end tires tend to offer more tire rot resistance.
Driving style
This may seem like a no-brainer but burnouts, drifting and general aggressive driving (both on and off-road) all take a toll on your tires.
If this is how you drive, you shouldn't be shocked your tires need replacing sooner than normal. You can keep an eye on things with responsible driving and regular tire maintenance to get the most out of your tires.
Regular tire inspections also help you catch any tire wear, bubbling or other damage before they cause failure. This can save you expensive repair costs and inconvenience (no one likes being stranded on the side of the road)!
HOW TO REPLACE A TIRE?
(Do you mean how to change a tire?)
Replacing or shopping for tires can be one of the most intimidating aspects of owning a vehicle. There's so many different types of tires and brands to choose from that it can be overwhelming. Motorists without an automotive background or familiarity with tires want reassurance that they choose the best tire and price possible.
We want your tire buying and researching experience to be a positive one, so we recommend starting with Treadwell, our easy tire buyer's guide. In one minute or less, it will pair you with the best tires for you, your vehicle and your drive. It's the same process we use in-store to make recommendations!
START WITH TREADWELLNeed to replace half of your tires, not a whole set? Check out our thoughts on replacing two tires!
How often should you replace a tire?
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.
How much does it cost to replace a tire?
This is the most common question we hear every day!
Unfortunately, there's no single answer. Tire prices vary greatly by size and tire type. In general, 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.
Sometimes a tire purchase is unexpected, usually due to an accident, blowout or other damage. That's why we guarantee the lowest prices on all tires we have in stock!
Also consider that, unlike other tire retailers or auto shops, America's Tire includes a whole suite of free tire services like air checks, rotations and flat repair when you purchase from us.
We are not a full-fledged auto shop however. Please check out our services not offered at America's Tire for a full list.
How to replace a tire pressure sensor?
Your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is extremely important in keeping you and your vehicle safe. This system warms you when your tires deflate. The correct air pressure is key to allowing your tires to perform at 100%.
We offer TPMS checks to all customers because we're committed to your safety. We will check your sensor batteries and make sure your sensors are accurately measuring your tire pressure.
While there are some TPMS that can be installed by yourself, they can be tricky and difficult to install properly. Replacing dead or damaged sensors may require you to remove the tire from the wheel, which many people cannot do at home without the proper tools.
Some vehicles require very specific TPMS brands or models. Many require the use of specialized tools to link the software from each individual sensor to the vehicle's computer.
We recommend taking your vehicle to us to get your TPMS safely installed. We guarantee our work and offer the best prices on tire accessories. We will install TPMS sensors that you bring in but cannot guarantee functionality.
Is your older car without a tire pressure monitoring system? We have TPMS retrofit kits to bring your vehicle up to the 21st century!
Do I need an alignment after replacing tires?
You may or may not need an alignment when replacing your tires.
If your old tires appear to be worn unevenly, your America's Tire technician will recommend a wheel alignment. Uneven wear is a sign that your wheels are out of alignment.
For vehicles that are getting lifted with upsized rims and/or tires, we recommend an alignment.
A vehicle's wheel alignment refers to the adjustment of its suspension. Your tires and wheels should point straight down the road but may get out of line due to poor roads, improper tire pressure, issues with your vehicle's suspension, potholes, normal wear and more.
Improperly aligned wheels and tires can cause uneven tire wear ("cupping"), erratic handling and slow steering response.
Some America's Tire stores offer wheel alignment services, but not all. Check out which stores offer wheel alignment services here!
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.
Good wheel and tire maintenance with regular wheel cleaning is vital to keeping your rims healthy.
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!