How to tell when tires need to be replaced: Know the signs

It does not matter what type of personal transport mobility you use – an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, an electric vehicle (BEV), a hybrid, an e-bike, a motorcycle, or a scooter, tires are the high ranking when it comes to safety and good performance. Which is why you need to know for sure when tires need to be replaced.

I am a car lover, so my primary experience has been with cars, but the principles and tell-tale signs of tire wear and tear are the same even if what you have is a bicycle or motorcycle. How to tell when tires need to be replaced is an exact science across the board of road vehicles.

Too many punctures or flats

In my twenty-something years of driving, I have come to know that the easiest way to tell that your tires have become bad and should be replaced immediately is when you get to that point where you are getting punctures or your tires go flat often. If you are having to fix a puncture or flat every other week, that tire is weak and ready to die on you.

You shouldn’t change only that problematic tire either; all the other tires that you purchased at the same time as that one should be replaced. They are all due for a change, and it is best to buy your tires at the same time. Where that isn’t possible for cash reasons, change them two by two. Replace the two in front at the same time, and replace the two at the back at the same time.

But you should not wait till your tires start acting up this way before knowing they are due for replacement. Below, I share a few other ways to tell when tires need to be replaced.

Check your tires for wear and tear

Get down and take a close look at each tire. Are the ridges and grooves intact or are they wearing out and becoming smoother or bald? What of bulges and cracks? Are there bits and pieces starting to chip off? If there are, these are all tell-tale signs that a tire needs replacing.

1. Park in a Well-lit Area: Choose a location with sufficient lighting, preferably outdoors, to examine your tires properly.
2. Check for Uneven Wear: Inspect the tread surface of each tire for signs of uneven wear patterns. Look for excessive wear on one side, the center, or specific areas of the tread. Uneven wear may indicate misalignment, improper tire inflation, or suspension issues.
3. Examine Tread Depth: Measure the tire tread depth using a tread depth gauge or the popular “penny test.” Insert a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down. If the tread doesn’t reach the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.
4. Look for Signs of Tread Wear Indicators: Modern tires have built-in tread wear indicators in the form of small raised bars between the tread grooves. If these bars become level with the tread surface, it signifies that the tire has reached its wear limit and should be replaced.
5. Inspect for Cracks or Cuts: Carefully examine the sidewalls and tread areas for any visible cracks, cuts, bulges, or punctures. These can weaken the tire’s structure and increase the risk of tire failure.
6. Check Valve Stems: Inspect the valve stems for signs of damage or leakage. Ensure they have secure caps to protect against dust and debris.
7. Look for Embedded Objects: Scan the tire surfaces for any foreign objects like nails, screws, or stones lodged in the tread. These can lead to punctures or slow leaks.
8. Repeat all the Above for All Tires: Perform the same inspection process for each tire on your vehicle, as tire conditions may vary.

Check for the date of manufacture

The date of manufacture of your tires matter, because they begin to deteriorate after a certain number of years, even if you use them sparingly. A tire’s integrity, and consequently your safety, is at risk after six years from the date of manufacture. This is why it is important to check the date of manufacture of tires at the point of purchase. For example, if a tire is five years old already at the time of purchase, though you are buying it brand new, it has only one more year of operational integrity.

To check the date of manufacture of tires, have a close look at the imprints on the sidewall of the tire and follow these steps:

1. Locate the DOT Code: Look for a series of alphanumeric characters on the sidewall of the tire. The DOT code is typically placed towards the edge of the sidewall, near the wheel rim. The DOT code provides information about the tire’s production date.
2. Identify the DOT Symbol: The DOT code usually starts with the letters “DOT” followed by a series of numbers and letters.
3. Read the Last Four Digits: The last four digits of the DOT code represent the tire’s manufacturing date. The first two digits indicate the week of production (ranging from 01 to 52), and the last two digits represent the year of production. For example, if the last four digits are “0204,” as seen in the image below, it means the tire was manufactured in the 2nd week of 2004. Important: Note that some tire manufacturers do not include a preceding DOT before the string of codes; in such cases you will find the four digits indicating date of manufacture circled in an oval shape.
4. Determine the Age of the Tire: Calculate the age of the tire based on the manufacturing date. Subtract the production year from the current year to determine the tire’s age. Keep in mind that tire age is counted from the week it was manufactured.

What kind of usage are your tires subjected to?

If you drive longer distances and more often, your tires will wear out faster than the person who works from home and only drives out twice a week. If you drive over uneven surfaces, bad roads, and rough terrain, your tires will wear out faster than if you drive on only smooth roads. Bear all these in mind in thinking of when to change your tires. To put it simpler, more intense use means your tires need to be replaced more often. This is similar to an engine oil change: the more intense and often you drive a vehicle, the more often it will need an oil change.

If any of the above factors explained in this article apply to your tires, it is time to replace them. Do so as soon as possible to keep yourself and other road users safe. Happy motoring.