What are the basics?

There is no way to tell exactly how long a tire lasts. The lifespan and mileage of a tire depends of a combination of factors: its design, the driver’s habits, the climate, the road conditions and the care that's put into the tires.

A few milestones and tips:

1. Keep five years in mind

   After five years or more in use, your tires should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year by a professional.

2. Ten years is a maximum

   If the tires haven't been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tires. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. This applies to spare tires as well.

3. Proper care expands a tire’s lifespan

   You can increase your tire's longevity by maintaining the correct air pressure, performing regular tire rotations and vehicle maintenance.

For original equipment: follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations.

How to check the manufacturing date

Look for the DOT number on your sidewall.

What damages tires?

Physical factors:

• Age
• Wear and Damage

Road conditions:

• Potholes, obstacles, curbs, sharp objects, speed bumps

Climate:

• Extreme temperatures
• Rain, snow and ice
• Oil, grease and other chemicals
• Strong sunlight and ozone

Driving habits:

• Speeding
• Quick starts and emergency braking
• Driving on damaged roads
• Failure to notice a change in handling, noise or vibration
• Failure to consult a professional when something changes

Neglecting basic tire maintenance:

• Air pressure
• Not routinely checking for wear or damage
• Alignment and rotation
• Neglecting to get a professional tire inspection in the event a tire has been impacted or sustained damage
• Not balancing tires after they are installed
• Improper tire storage
• Use of sealants that have not been approved

Improper usage:

• Using summer tires on snow and ice
• Mixing tire types
• Using tires on damaged wheels
• Using wheel and rim sizes that are not compatible
• Fitting tires that do not have a speed capability and load index at least equal to or higher than those originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer
• Reinflating a tire that has been run flat or seriously underinflated
• Using a spare tire of a different size at speeds in excess of 50 mph

Is my tire worn out?

We recommend replacing your tire if:

• The tread is worn beyond the recommended tread depth levels

1. Inspect your tire regularly and look for:

   • Uneven tread wear
   • Shallow tread
   • Troublemakers (rocks, nails, etc.)
   • Damaged areas
   • Damaged valve caps

2. Pay attention to the “feel” of your tires as you drive.

   • A rough ride may indicate tire damage or excessive wear.
   • If you notice vibrations or other disturbances while driving, immediately reduce speed, drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road and stop, and inspect your tires.
   • If a tire is damaged, deflate it and replace it with your spare. If you do not see any tire damage and cannot identify the source of the vibration, take the vehicle to a tire dealer for a thorough inspection.

3. See a professional

   • If you see something you’re not sure about during your inspection, have it examined by your tire dealer.

To identify a specific problem.

How do I inspect my tire?

1. Check your air pressure

   • It’s quick and can prevent many problems
   • Do it once a month
   See Air pressure: what should I know?

2. Check the tread wear with one of the three methods:

   • With a tread depth gauge
   • With the tread wear indicators
   • With the penny test
     One easy way to check for wear is by using the penny test. All you have to do is grab your spare change and follow 3 easy steps.
     
     1. Take a penny and hold Abe's body between your thumb and forefinger.
     2. Select a point on your tire where tread appears the lowest and place Lincoln's head into one of the grooves.
     3. If any part of Abe Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the legal and safe amount of tread. If your tread gets below that (approximately 2/32 of an inch), your car's ability to grip the road in adverse conditions is greatly reduced.

3. Inspect your tires for wear and damage problems

   • We’ve created an easy-to-use online tool to help you identify issues and learn how to fix them.
   Use the Tire Inspector Tool

• When should I inspect my tires?

  • Once every month
  • Before you go on a long road trip.

• Next steps :

  • Any visible perforation, cut or deformation must be checked thoroughly by a tire professional.
  • Only a tire professional can tell you if your tire can be repaired or has to be changed.

Spare tire: can I use it on a day-to-day basis?

No.
Temporary spares have lighter construction to limit their weight on your vehicle so they don’t have the same speed or mileage capabilities. This could affect your vehicle’s stability. The only exception is if your spare tire is actually a 5th full-size tire that exactly matches the tires on your vehicle.