How Often Should You Change Your Tires?

For the safest performance in Blackfoot and the best grip on the Pocatello roads, just how often should you replace your tires? While tire maintenance and care is important for any vehicle, it can be tricky to pin down just how often do you need new tires. To put it simply, how often to get new tires will depend on four major factors:

• Tire tread level
• Climate
• Tire age
• Car make and model

And of course, you can always schedule a service if you aren’t quite sure how often should you replace your tires.

Tire Tread Depth

How often to get new tires is a matter of safety as well as legality. At the bare minimum, your tires should be replaced if the tread is below 2/32 of an inch. That means your tires are no longer safe to use by law. So, how do you know if your tires have low tread? Try one of our favorite service tips to see how often do you need new tires:

• Find a standard penny.
• Place the penny over your tire tread with the head pointing down.
• Insert the penny into the tread and see how much of the penny is visible.
• If Honest Abe’s head is covered by tread, your levels are fine.
• If Honest Abe’s head is completely visible, your tread is too low.

Weather Conditions

Even if you meet the minimum requirements of tread depth, you still might run into some problems on particularly rainy and snowy Blackfoot days. While 2/32 of an inch is the minimum required by law, you might notice performance problems well before you reach that number. Low tread tires have a higher risk of hydroplaning in rain, higher risk of slipping in snow, and higher risk of blowout in hot weather. When in doubt, head to the service department to ask how often should you change your tires in your particular climate.

Tire Age

So, how often should you replace your tires if you haven’t noticed problems?

• After your tires are five years old, get them checked every year for damage that you might not notice.
• After ten years, replace your tires with a fresh set – no matter the condition.

If you’re not sure if it’s time, check for the 4-digit number on your tires. The last two digits will indicate the year that the tire was manufactured.

Make and Model

How often to get new tires also depends on your particular vehicle and driving style.

• Do you have a car with all-wheel drive? Your tires may wear unevenly and need to be replaced more often.
• Do you drive a heavy-duty truck or SUV? You’ll probably place greater stress and strain on your tires than a subcompact sedan.
• Do you just need one tire replaced? This might throw off the balance of your set.

Schedule Your Service with Ron Sayer's Chrysler Jeep Dodge

So, how often do you need new tires? Only you and your technician will know for sure. Stop by Ron Sayer's Chrysler Jeep Dodge to have a chat with our experts and find out how often should you change your tires for your particular driving habits. Contact our service department today with any questions! Whether you need help with your tires or want to know how to check your oil, we can help.