Front tyres tend to wear faster, up to 2.5 times faster on some cars. The left front tyre has it the hardest. It is the most heavily loaded and responsible for transmitting most of the steering during right hand turns.
Under normal driving circumstances with a front-wheel drive vehicle (passenger cars, minivans, etc.), the front tires will wear at a slightly higher rate than the rear tires.
If two of your tires wear out faster, it may only be necessary to replace those two instead of replacing all four. If you do, it's important to have the two new tires installed on the back and the partially worn tires moved to the front – even on front-wheel-drive vehicles.
If you have a front-wheel-drive car, then your front tires will do most of the work and will wear down faster. If you have a rear-wheel-drive car, then your rear tires will do most of the work and will wear down faster.
A rear wheel drive vehicle will wear its rear tires faster than its front tires due to the drive (pulling) wheels being on the back of the vehicle. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every 5000 to 7500 miles. An easy way to remember to rotate your tires is to do it with every oil change.
As a general rule of thumb, front tyres tend to wear out more quickly than rear tyres. This is because they are subject to a greater amount of movement from steering, particularly on a front-wheel drive vehicle. Rear tyres tend to last longer, although less so if your vehicle is a rear-wheel drive.
On average, people drive between 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, which means the average good quality all-season tire will last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
Higher driving speeds cause more heat to build up in the rubber, breaking down the tire more quickly than at slower speeds. Similarly, taking turns at slower speeds and avoiding skidding on turns also helps the tire last longer.
As a general rule, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that drivers change the tires on their vehicles every six years. However, there are several factors that can place additional wear and tear on tires that force drivers to change them more frequently.
Changing tyres in pairs
But should tyres be replaced in pairs? The answer is ideally, yes. Replacing just the one tyre without changing the tyre on the opposite side of the axle at the same time may cause an imbalance to the vehicle – potentially leading to wheel misalignment and excessive tyre wear.
It's always best to replace all 4 tires at the same time. This is because all 4 tires spin independently of one another, and different tread depths and/or styles can cause them to spin at different speeds. That could potentially damage the drive train, and possibly affect an indirect TPMS system if the vehicle has one.
The placard or manual should list the appropriate psi for both the front and rear tires, as they may be different. Most passenger cars' psi requirement will be between 30 to 35 psi, but several vehicles fall outside of that range and every vehicle will have specific requirements.
Two common causes of early tire wear out and irregular tire wear are improper inflation pressure and out-of-spec alignment conditions.
Uneven tire wear is usually caused by improper alignment, overinflation, underinflation or a worn out suspension.
Driving at high speeds may make you feel the thrill of an adrenaline rush, but it will also wear down your tires and your car faster. At high speeds, your tires will generate a great deal of friction with the road, as well as very high heats. Prolonged exposure to high heats will soften the rubber and weaken the tire.
Tire Size. Larger tires decrease your fuel economy because they are heavier, while smaller tires increase fuel efficiency. Bigger tires also have a higher rolling resistance than smaller tires which means they require more resistance and effort to get them rolling.
If not used, tires last for 6-10 years, depending on the storage and environmental conditions. Overall, the time limits for stored tires are much the same as for tires that are being used.
Tyres will generally last an average of 40,000km, although this can vary widely depending on quality of road surfaces and your driving style. They should be checked annually once they reach the 5-year mark, and should be replaced every 10 years at the very least.
An average of between 25,000 to 50,000 kilometres for drivers with normal driving styles.
How long should your tires last? Some tires are built to reflect a warranty of approximately 100,000 km while entry-level tires have a warranty of approximately 60,000 km. Summer tires should be replaced at 3mm tread depth and winter tires, also known as snow tires should be replaced at 4mm tread depth.
Remember to rotate the tyres when changing them. The better and new tyres go to the back, not to the front. Take note of the direction of the tyres.
Things like your driving style, road and weather conditions will all mean that your tyre's lifespan will vary. A new set of tyres should last a minimum or 20,000 miles, however cheaper quality tyres may not last that long. The important thing you need to do is keep an eye on tread depth and any other signs of damage.
While one of the tires in the study was half the price of its more expensive cousin, the more expensive tire lasted nearly three times longer. Which tire is the better value for your money? A big part of what determines your tire value is how much mileage you get out of it.