How long should truck tires last?

Unfortunately, there are truck drivers that simply have the thread on their tires slip their minds until something happens – like a flat tire, or a blowout.  Treadwear may be dangerous for both cars and trucks if they are not replaced when necessary. In other words, how long should you expect truck tires to last? What is the appropriate tire age before they need to be replaced?

It is typical for a truck’s tires to last anywhere from 50,000 to 75,000 miles on the road. So, depending on your driving, the tire age limit can be prolonged or shortened. But let’s say  4 to 5 years. 

A yearly tune-up should include a truck tire rotation and balancing. It’s also a good idea to make sure that your tires are properly inflated if you drive 5 to 7 days a week for work. Find out how to tell when it’s time to change your tires, as well as what other variables contribute to their lifespan.

Factors that have an impact on truck tire lifetime

There are, however, several variables that might alter longevity. When it comes to how long your truck tires will endure, there are a few things to consider.

Make and model of the truck you own

The longevity of tires is greatly impacted by how much weight is placed on the wheels of a truck. Make sure your truck has the appropriate tires on it since incorrect truck tires might wear out more quickly than they should. The tires on certain vehicles wear out more quickly due to their weight, compared to some others.

Your driving style

A tire’s lifespan can be influenced by how you drive. For example, the hefty weight of your truck means that the truck tires will wear out more quickly if you drive aggressively and quickly. To make sure the tire layers aren’t thinned out too quickly, try to be more gentle to your vehicle, to make sure the truck tires last you longer. 

By being more cautious with your driving, you can prolong the life expectancy of your tires by a few thousand miles every year. When driving over potholes and speed bumps, tread cautiously and avoid hard-and-fast accelerations. After all, tires are not the only thing that can be destroyed by bad driving.

The tire’s type and age

The compounds in the tire’s rubber will degrade over time, causing dry rot, making it unsafe to drive. The more you drive, the more the tires wear, and they don’t give the same traction as new tires. Therefore, you should do a tire replacement if the tires are more than six years old. Especially in bad weather conditions

Weather conditions

When it comes to how long your tires’ tread will endure, your location has a significant impact. For example,  if you live in a place where the temperature drops below freezing often, it might cause the tires to lose pressure, increasing the risk of a flat or blowout.

Or, you live somewhere with extremely rugged terrain, or with a lot of potholes, it’ll shorten the lifespan of your tires.

On the other hand, if you live in an area with direct sunshine daily, you may notice that your tires wear out more quickly. Warm weather causes the pavement to get hotter, which results in higher tire wear.

How to know when it’s time to change truck tires?

You can typically detect when your tires are worn. If you’re unsure, here are several methods to tell if it’s time to replace them.

Decreased tread depth

A narrow tread depth is one of the tell-tale indicators of worn tires. They are too thin if they are smooth and flat instead of hefty and stiff. Tire treads less than 1/16 inch are deemed unsafe for driving.

The vehicle tire sensor is on

Most current trucks include a tire sensor that glows when the tread is too thin, the wheels are imbalanced, or a flat tire is present. Always pay attention to your dashboard’s signs for emergencies.

Sidewalls cracked

If you detect fractures in the sidewalls of your tires, they are probably worn out. Tires age and develop cracks owing to normal wear and tear, pavement friction, and weather conditions.

Air bubbles

Damage to your tire frequently causes air bubbles. They can be caused by running over potholes or curbs, or by ordinary wear and tear.

Tires with air bubbles can’t be mended; they must be replaced. It is critical to do so immediately to avoid tire leaks, blowouts, and flats.

The best ways to extend the longevity of truck tires

Tire life can be cut in half by forceful braking and strong acceleration from a stop. Easing into the accelerator lowers tire strain and improves wear. Slowing down before abrupt turns also helps tires, as does avoiding potholes and damaged pavement. Additionally, truck maintenance is another way to extend tire life. You may check the air pressure and tread depth yourself. You should have a trained mechanic check their balance and alignment, and rotate the tires. Tire care is critical for optimal performance and longevity, and with AmCan truck repair, you can have all types of truck tire maintenance and services done, to ensure that your truck tires last as long as they can!

Truck tire maintenance steps

Tread

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says a tire is unsafe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 inches. Several tires contain tread-wear indicators, which are little bars in the tread that display when the tire needs replacing. These will start making noise to alert the driver. If you hear the noise from your tires – it is likely you need a tire replacement

Tire Pressure

Tire manufacturers advise monthly truck tire pressure checks to ensure even wear. There are ways to check the air pressure quickly and easily, for example at a gas station. Some gas stations have digital readouts on their air pumps, but they aren’t always reliable. It is better to check tire pressures while the tires are cold (no driving for many hours). So inspect them at home after parking overnight.

Truck tire balance and alignment

The tire/wheel combination must be spherical and balanced. Tire stores and mechanics utilize a balancing machine that spins the wheel to detect high and low regions. The tire shop will then hammer weights onto the wheel to balance it. These shops can also align your wheels to keep your truck straight, reducing tire wear.

Truck Tire Rotation

Truck tire rotation can extend their life. Front-wheel-drive trucks’ front tires will wear out faster and can be switched with rear tires. Rear-wheel-drive trucks are the opposite. The same goes for all-wheel drive. Most owners’ instructions specify how to rotate tires for even wear. The USTMA advises rotating tires every 5000-8000 miles.

AmCan Truck Repairs’ tire installation service offer

Now that you know how to recognize if your vehicle’s tires need help, you can be more responsible when the time comes for your tire maintenance and if need be, replace a truck tire. After all, a tire replacement should not be done only when a problem occurs – having your truck tires inspected and changed regularly is very important. And, a tire replacement shouldn’t be a problem – at least not with AmCan Truck Repair. We use only the best truck tires from truck tire manufacturers like Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Continental and BF Goodrich. So, if you are in need of a professional truck tire replacement, head on to Wood Dale in the suburbs of Chicago, IL. And if you are just passing by Chicago, and going from Illinois to Milwaukee, stop by to check if your tires are in dire need of attention!