How many miles do you get on a set of tires?
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Andre1969
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Sportier cars usually have "stickier" tires that wear out quicker. Plus, sportier cars are intended to be driven a bit more, well, sportily, so I guess it would make sense the tires would wear out quicker.
FWIW, my old Intrepid had Goodyear Eagle GAs with a 300 treadwear rating. I think they were a bit on the "sticky" side. I hated the fact that I wore them down to racing slicks in less than a year though, although in retrospect, I did deliver pizzas as a second job in those days, which is why I hit 30K miles in about 11 months. And, that was somewhat spirited driving.
I replaced them with some fairly cheap tires called Continental something or other. They were a bit harder, with a 460 treadwear rating. I thought it was interesting that the 300 treadwear rating tires made it 30K miles, and the 460 rating tires made it about 46K miles. The next set of tires were a Yokohama Avid something or other, and its treadwear rating was somewhere in the 620 range I think. So I extrapolated and figured I might get around 62K or so out of them. But, they went in a random fashion starting at around 130K miles (54K on the tires). There was a blowout, one got stolen in a parking garage, and then I finally replaced the other two. I'd have to check my records to see at what mileage the last two were replaced at.
FWIW, my old Intrepid had Goodyear Eagle GAs with a 300 treadwear rating. I think they were a bit on the "sticky" side. I hated the fact that I wore them down to racing slicks in less than a year though, although in retrospect, I did deliver pizzas as a second job in those days, which is why I hit 30K miles in about 11 months. And, that was somewhat spirited driving.
I replaced them with some fairly cheap tires called Continental something or other. They were a bit harder, with a 460 treadwear rating. I thought it was interesting that the 300 treadwear rating tires made it 30K miles, and the 460 rating tires made it about 46K miles. The next set of tires were a Yokohama Avid something or other, and its treadwear rating was somewhere in the 620 range I think. So I extrapolated and figured I might get around 62K or so out of them. But, they went in a random fashion starting at around 130K miles (54K on the tires). There was a blowout, one got stolen in a parking garage, and then I finally replaced the other two. I'd have to check my records to see at what mileage the last two were replaced at.
The OEM tires I had on my '04 camry lasted 30K miles. Replaced with michelins that lasted 90K. Just replaced those last month. I always buy my tires from a tire specialty retailer, discount tires, because they go through so many tires, you won't get some tires that have been sitting on the shelf for a few years. Plus free lifetime rotation and repair.
frayne
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Living in the south and pretty much no snow or ice or severe driving conditions usually get around 60K on a set of tires. On my motorcycle around 6K. Riding on two wheels as opposed to four makes a world of difference.
ziggy29
Moderator Emeritus
When "good" about maintaining alignment and proper inflation, I usually got 50-60K out of a set that is rated for at least 60-65K. After that point either the inflation or the alignment was just enough out of whack that at least 2 of them needed to be replaced, and since all were nearing end of life, might as well replace all 4 (with a wheel alignment) at that point.
But now, I only drive about 6-7K miles a year, and since I don't like driving on really old tires, I really don't need tires rated for much more than 50,000 miles.
Brakes, on the other hand.... I have a 2005 Toyota Matrix which just hit 90K miles. Most of them are highway miles and the place where I just replaced my tires and had the state inspection in August said my *original* brakes were still in good shape and had close to 40% of their life left. That's one good thing about life in the boonies; most of your driving is highway miles so your brakes can easily last 100K miles or more.
But now, I only drive about 6-7K miles a year, and since I don't like driving on really old tires, I really don't need tires rated for much more than 50,000 miles.
Brakes, on the other hand.... I have a 2005 Toyota Matrix which just hit 90K miles. Most of them are highway miles and the place where I just replaced my tires and had the state inspection in August said my *original* brakes were still in good shape and had close to 40% of their life left. That's one good thing about life in the boonies; most of your driving is highway miles so your brakes can easily last 100K miles or more.
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Exactly. Those few square inches of tire contact "patch" as it's sometimes called is what you're riding on.
On the 2003 GMC 4WD pickup I got ~60k miles on the OEM tires (Bridgstones, I think) and at 95k miles the second set is still good. The Honda Accord has only 30k miles on it and the original tires are still good. We had a nail in the sidewall of one and that can't be repaired so replaced the tire.
REWahoo
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While getting new batteries for my truck last week at WallyWorld I was looking at a group of tires marked for sale at 50% off. Several of them had three digit date codes - meaning they were manufactured prior to January of 2000. Yikes. How to Find Out How Old Your Tires Are
The hot and dry weather around here is rough on tires. I replace all of my auto/truck/RV tires once they reach their sixth birthday. Most have a lot of tread left on them.
The hot and dry weather around here is rough on tires. I replace all of my auto/truck/RV tires once they reach their sixth birthday. Most have a lot of tread left on them.
Yikes indeed! I wonder if their legal staff has a clue as to what the liability is putting those out on the shelf?
Any attorney with at least a double-digit IQ could win a lawsuit from one of those tires failing.
Everyone should go check the date code on your tires now to see when they were made.
It is typically a 4 digit 'code'. Eg 4105 which decodes to made 41st week of 2005.
No doubt they were carefully stored in a facility with temperature and humidity control.
Seriously, I'd never heard of a 6 year lifespan for tires, and when it comes from this thrifty bunch there must be something to it.
38Chevy454
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As REWahoo pointed out, you can read the date code on your tires to determine date of mfr. Thereis also a tread wear number that indicates the approx softor hardness of the tread. Higher number is longer lasting. In general, the more sport-oriented the tire, the lower the number and the less miles they will go before tread depth gets low.
A lot also depends on the roads you drive on, the load on the tires vs the weight capacity of the tire, and temps.
A lot also depends on the roads you drive on, the load on the tires vs the weight capacity of the tire, and temps.
REWahoo
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No doubt they were carefully stored in a facility with temperature and humidity control.
Yep. Stored in a #2 mayonnaise jar on Funk & Wagnalls' back porch.
From the How to Find Out How Old Your Tires Are article I linked in my previous post (my bold):
This is no country for old [-]men[/-] tires.
ziggy29
Moderator Emeritus
It's not a hard and fast rule but can vary depending on exposure to the elements.
If you "garage" the car outside where there are long, hot and dry summers, I wouldn't even trust 6 years. In the direct hot sun, tires can dry out and crack sooner than that. Elsewhere it wouldn't surprise me if you could make it 10 years. Still, tires aren't the type of thing you mess with if there is *any* doubt. They are, in some very literal sense, your "lifeline" while driving.
W2R
Moderator Emeritus
OK, after reading this thread, checking the internet, and especially talking it over with Frank, we're headed for the tire place tomorrow to see about replacing my tires.
Although it is not as dry here in the summer as it is in Texas, still it does get very hot and I parked outside 100% of the time until a couple of months ago.
Oh man, it's going to cost a lot. I'm almost tempted to trade in the Venza on a new car instead.
Although it is not as dry here in the summer as it is in Texas, still it does get very hot and I parked outside 100% of the time until a couple of months ago.
Oh man, it's going to cost a lot. I'm almost tempted to trade in the Venza on a new car instead.
aaronc879
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OK, after reading this thread, checking the internet, and especially talking it over with Frank, we're headed for the tire place tomorrow to see about replacing my tires.
Although it is not as dry here in the summer as it is in Texas, still it does get very hot and I parked outside 100% of the time until a couple of months ago.
Oh man, it's going to cost a lot. I'm almost tempted to trade in the Venza on a new car instead.
Since you don't put on a lot of miles you can probably go with the lowest mileage warranty available. The Venza has either size 19 or 20in tires so they're not cheap but you can get a set mounted and installed for $800-$1000 I would guess. You can afford that every 6 years without worry. That said, if you do trade in the Venza you may want to consider a vehicle with 15 or 16in tires instead. They cost half as much.
aaronc879
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When you buy new tires make sure to check the manufacture date. They should be less than 2 years old. If you put on few miles then you want the newest tires possible. Use this site to learn how to determine the manufacture date:
Tire Date Code: What it is and where to find it | TireBuyer.com
Tire Date Code: What it is and where to find it | TireBuyer.com
REWahoo
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I don't buy any tire more than 6 months old. Any tire retailer can get easily get you fresh ones if you insist.
W2R
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Mine has the bigger tires, which look great but cost a fortune. Oh well. I have been casually looking for another vehicle online, but haven't found one that I like, even with big tires (but smaller ones would be better, you're right!
).
W2R
Moderator Emeritus
Got new tires, and thanks to all of you for alerting me that it was time. The man at the Goodyear tire store said that even with low mileage, they usually recommend no more than 5 years before getting new tires.
They weren't as expensive as I feared, either, thank goodness.
They weren't as expensive as I feared, either, thank goodness.
RunningBum
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I'm sure getting rid of the Venza was tongue in cheek (right??) but this is an example of things people need to think about in their budgets. If you've got 2 cars, figure perhaps $400/car every 4 years, so set aside $200/yr in your budget just for tires (if that is an accurate price for your car's tires). Then there's other car maintenance items like the bigger maintenance intervals, new brakes, batteries, etc. You can't just look at what you spent in the last year or two if you haven't had expenses like this come up, or bought a new car but throw it out as an irregular expense.OK, after reading this thread, checking the internet, and especially talking it over with Frank, we're headed for the tire place tomorrow to see about replacing my tires.
Although it is not as dry here in the summer as it is in Texas, still it does get very hot and I parked outside 100% of the time until a couple of months ago.
Oh man, it's going to cost a lot. I'm almost tempted to trade in the Venza on a new car instead.
Free To Canoe
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I am glad to see that I am not the only one getting sub par mileage on my tires. I replaced tires on both vehicles this year.
The Vue got 37k miles on 80k rated Mastercraft tires. Some wear left but not much.
The Corolla got 67k miles on 80k rated Mastercraft tires. I wore these down almost to the wear bars. I am pretty conscientious about inflation and rotation.
The prorated replacement guarantee is a joke. They want you to wear all 4 tires down to the wear bars. Then they want paperwork submitted that none of the tire sellers want to deal with. However, I have not had any problems with the tires and they are reasonably priced. I reupped on both cars with Mastercraft.
The Vue got 37k miles on 80k rated Mastercraft tires. Some wear left but not much.
The Corolla got 67k miles on 80k rated Mastercraft tires. I wore these down almost to the wear bars. I am pretty conscientious about inflation and rotation.
The prorated replacement guarantee is a joke. They want you to wear all 4 tires down to the wear bars. Then they want paperwork submitted that none of the tire sellers want to deal with. However, I have not had any problems with the tires and they are reasonably priced. I reupped on both cars with Mastercraft.
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W2R
Moderator Emeritus
There's only one of me, so I only have one car. In an emergency, F and I will drive one another places so no need for two. (He lives next door and has his own car.)
Big irregular expenses keep appearing right along, not just for car but for the house, the dentist, and other irregular expenses. Some years there are none, the next year more, but all in all they just keep coming right along, however sporadic they may be. It has all worked out just fine so far. I groan, and moan, and then pay (and pay, and pay), and then cut back on discretionary stuff for a little while until things get back on track. Sort of like what I would do if we had another 2008 style market crash.
Again, I was glad to discover that the expense of buying new tires this afternoon was much lower than I had expected. So, I probably won't have to cut back much if at all.
As for the new car, well, it is always in the back of my mind. I'm not ready for one yet, though, so maybe it was about half tongue in cheek. My Venza only has 22,000 miles on it.
After checking online I didn't see any other car that I'd rather have. The latter is a good exercise for me, so that if/when I actually NEED a new car, I have some idea of what I might want. Not one car made me drool this time so I'm glad I didn't really need to buy one.
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I got 500 hours on my 1998 Kubota B7800 (sub compact tractor) before having to replace the front tires due to dry rot on the sidewalls. Those were the original tires. I'd also mention replacing the original factory battery just this spring but that would be a thread hijack.
