Free tread life tool
Tire Life Calculator — Tread Left and Replacement Time
Enter your tread depth and tire age — see remaining miles, the 6-year age rule, and exactly when to replace.
How Much Tire Life Is Left?
Tread depth + tire age tell the full story.
How Long Do Tires Last?
Typically 40,000–70,000 miles or 6 years — whichever comes first. Rubber degrades with age even sitting in a garage; most manufacturers recommend replacement at 6 years regardless of tread.
Reading Tread Depth
- 10/32″: new. 6/32″: half worn. 4/32″: replace soon (wet grip falls off a cliff). 2/32″: legal minimum — bald.
- Uneven wear (edges vs center) signals pressure or alignment problems.
The 6-Year Age Rule
- Find the DOT code on the sidewall — last 4 digits = week/year of manufacture (e.g. 2319 = week 23 of 2019).
- At 6 years, replace regardless of tread. At 10 years, tires are unsafe even if they look fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many miles do tires last?
40,000–70,000 miles depending on type. Touring tires last longest; performance tires shortest. Age matters too — replace at 6 years regardless.
At what tread depth should tires be replaced?
At 4/32″ for real wet-weather safety. 2/32″ is the legal minimum, but hydroplaning risk is severe by then.
Do tires expire if not used?
Yes — rubber oxidizes. Replace at 6 years from manufacture date (DOT code), 10 years absolute maximum even with full tread.
How much does a set of tires cost?
$400–$800 budget all-season, $600–$1,200 mid-range, $1,000–$2,000+ performance or truck tires, installed.
Should I replace all 4 tires at once?
Ideally yes — matched tires grip and wear evenly. At minimum, replace in axle pairs; never mix wildly different treads on one axle.
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