Any tire has a service life, and it depends not only on the mileage. The Indy Auto Man car service experts have compiled a detailed guide on how long you can drive on winter tires based on the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Determining tread wear
The tire tread condition limits its service life. A permissible depth for winter tires (whatever type you choose ) is 0.15 inches. If the tread on the tires is less, you should replace it. The easiest way to determine this value is by a wear indicator on the tread. Usually, these are numbers cut to a certain depth, but there are also more visual signs. The principle is simple: the maximum number you see is the approximate tread depth. If all the numbers have disappeared (usually, the minimum is 4), the tire needs to be changed.
If there is no indicator, you can buy a simple tread depth gauge. When measuring, pay attention to the most worn part. Ideally, the entire tread should wear evenly, but if the camber angles are violated, one of the parts can wear out especially intensively.
How long does the rubber compound of a tire last?
Even if the tire has not been used, after a while, it will be unsuitable for installation on a car. It’s all about the tire compound (the rubber mixture) from which it is made. Like any other rubber, it ages and loses its qualities.
In the first five years, there are no cardinal changes with the rubber. Then, the owner must assess the condition of the compound and decide whether it is possible to use it. Michelin recommends visiting specialists at least once a year to inspect tires if they are older than five years. In any case, it is better not to use the tire for more than 10 years. Most manufacturers agree with this time limit. The year of tire production is indicated in the marking on the sidewall.
How many studs can a tire lose?
The loss of 10-15% of the total number of studs does not seriously affect the tire behavior. When 15 to 40 percent of studs fall out, the characteristics worsen noticeably, and ideally, it is better to change the tire. Specimens in which 40-70% of the studs are absent can hardly be called studded – and the car behavior on the slippery road becomes unpredictable. If more than 70% of the tires are missing, they cannot be used.
How to extend the life of studded tires
If you want to minimize tread wear and preserve as many studs as possible, you should follow simple recommendations:
- Run in studded tires correctly. For at least the first 300 miles, avoid sudden braking starts with slippage, and do not accelerate above 50 mph.
- Monitor the pressure. If the pressure drops significantly, the tread will wear out faster.
- Check the wheel alignment and tread condition.
- Swap the wheels on the rear and front axles. For example, on a front-wheel drive car, the tires on the front axle wear out faster, and the studs fall out more often. If the pattern is directional, the tires can only be changed on one side: left with left, and so on. And no matter the drive, the tires with the most studs should be at the front.
Critical damage
Of course, one should never use any tire if there is hard damage – this affects traffic safety. Punctures in the tread area are easily repaired, but other defects cannot:
- Bulge (hernia). It indicates internal damage – the cord on the sidewall has burst in this place. Even if the hernia is small, it will grow over time, and the tire may burst.
- Sidewall cuts. They also violate the integrity of the cord. If the cuts are small (up to 0.4-0.8 inches), you can put in a patch, but only a tire service specialist can determine the exact repairability.
- Cord exposure. Sharp ice or a stone can cut off a piece of the tread. Such damage is also dangerous – the unprotected cord easily breaks (textile) or will actively corrode (metal).
If you detect at least one sign of tire wear, experts recommend immediately visiting the nearest tire service.