How often should tires be replaced to ensure safety?

A tire is considered good when it has good traction, the vehicle has not been replaced or patched before, the vehicle does not lose performance when braking and feels smooth when driving. If the tire is checked periodically and is not worn, warped, cracked or bulging and the vehicle is often driven on smooth roads, without gravel or bumps, the owner can rest assured that it is not time to change the tire.

Drivers should regularly check to know when to replace or patch their tires. (Illustration photo)

Tire life

First of all, worn or damaged tires will affect the vehicle's ability to respond, especially with older models. For example, the vehicle's control, handling and braking will not be as expected. The longer worn tires are used, the higher the safety risk, even affecting the safety of other vehicles moving around you.

When it is time to replace the tires, the car owner should have a specialist assess whether the tires need to be replaced. Cars that are used for 5 years or more should be inspected at least once a year.

Each type of tire will have a different lifespan. Some manufacturers have warranties of up to 130,000 km or more.

If the vehicle's tires have not been replaced within 10 years of manufacture, manufacturers recommend that owners do so immediately, regardless of whether they are still usable or have not worn down to the wear index.

Tires are an important part that affects driving safety. (Illustration)

When should you change your car tires?

There are many signs and ways to determine when it is time to change tires, below are some signs that show it is time for drivers to do this.

Visual observation

If the car has signs such as damaged valve caps, uneven tread wear, very little, not sharp, the tread is only about 1.6 - 3mm, it means the tire is worn and needs to be replaced. Some car tires have small wear indicators located between the tire grooves, when these indicators are exposed, it is time to replace the tire.

The sidewalls of the tire are where the pressure is greatest when the entire weight of the vehicle presses down on the road and the air is pushed to both sides of the wheel. If the sidewalls of the tire are punctured or have been hit hard, or have cuts or scratches due to prolonged contact with the road, the tire needs to be replaced or patched properly before the punctures or cuts become deeper.

If the tire is bulging, peeling, or deformed, it means that there has been a change in the internal structure. Or if the tire has any holes with a diameter of about 6mm and the tire brake part that contacts the wheel is damaged or deformed, the car owner needs to change the tire quickly to avoid a tire explosion while driving.

Based on time, climate

The life of a car tire is usually 5 years, so after 5 years, the owner should replace and check it once a year. In the case of a car that is nearly 10 years old, even if the car still runs well and the tire shows no signs of damage or the tire tread has not worn down to the tread wear indicator line, it should still be checked because the tire may have some aging or structural problems that are difficult to detect with the naked eye.

Vehicles often move in harsh climates: harsh sunlight, humid rain, high road and air temperatures or snow and ice, so vehicle owners need to pay attention to tire replacement because tires are often exposed to oil, grease, and chemicals that can easily damage rubber.

Driver's feeling

When driving and you detect unusual noise or vibration from the steering wheel, or the car is not running smoothly, you should immediately think of damage or a flat tire. You need to go to the nearest garage to patch or replace the tire.

Measuring with tools

Another way is for car owners to rely on a specialized tool to measure tire tread depth. If the tire tread depth is less than 3mm, it is time for a new tire.