It’s no secret that tires are crucial to the overall operation of your vehicle. You want to be sure your tires are properly inflated and working efficiently to get you from point A to point B. Every time you take your car on the road, however, your tires undergo wear and tear. Therefore, as a car owner, it’s important to know how often you should replace your tires.
How long do tires typically last?
Nowadays, tires are designed to last around 80,000 to 95,000 km, but that depends on the brand and type of tire as well as other factors, such as road conditions, climate, driving habits, whether or not you have neglected tire maintenance, and improper tire usage. You should consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or refer to the specific type of tires you have to find out what the manufacturer recommends. If you are unsure about when your tires were last replaced, you can either have them inspected or inspect them yourself to determine if it’s time to get new ones.
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Checking tire wear with the toonie test
If you want to find out whether your tires should be replaced or not, all you need is a toonie. Stick the toonie, bear paws down, into the tread of your tire. If the tread comes up to the bear’s paws, your tires are probably brand new or barely worn. If it covers the silver part of the toonie, they’re probably about half-worn. If the tread only reaches the lettering on the silver part of the toonie, then your tires are pretty worn and should be replaced soon. You should also make a point to visually inspect your tires regularly to look out for uneven wear, damage, rocks, and anything else that looks out of the ordinary.
Feel free to schedule a service appointment with our team at Sherwood Ford if you would like one of our service technicians to do a comprehensive inspection of your tires.
