5 Signs You Have Bad Tires

Many tire manufacturers recommend replacing your tires every six to 10 years, regardless of tread wear. Because rubber is an organic compound, it breaks down over time, which increases safety risks. Older tires may show no signs of wear or any of the five symptoms we list in this post. To check the age of your tire, look at the DOT codes; the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was manufactured.

For example, a DOT code ending in 3117 means the tire was made in the 31st week of 2017. In 2026, this would be a red flag that this nine-year-old tire needs to be replaced!

A tire date code 4521 means it was made in the 45th week of 2021, so for the current year 2026, this tire is only five years old. As long as the tread depth is good, it should be safe for driving at least another year, with proper maintenance.

So, other than checking the age of your tire and measuring tread depth, you can use your sense to tell if you're tires may need to be replaced soon.

SHOP TIRES NOW

1. You Hear a Weird Noise Coming From Your Tires

Bad tire noise symptoms include a rhythmic clicking or thudding sound.  

If you notice an irregular repeated clicking noise while driving, it could be a sign that there is something stuck in one of your tires. At best, it may be a rock or road debris wedged in the groove of one of your tires. At worst, it could be that a nail or sharp object has pierced your tire. As soon as it's safe, pull over and look. If it’s the latter, your tire could suddenly depressurize, leading to an accident. This post covers what to do if you have a nail in your tire: When to Patch, Plug or Pitch a Tire.

If you hear a loud tire noise and feel a vibration, that could mean something entirely different, which we cover next.

2. Your Car Shakes or Vibrates When Driving 

Increased vibration while driving can signal worn tires, but not always. A vibrating or rattling vehicle could mean your tires are misaligned or unbalanced, which a mechanic can fix without replacing your tires.

Causes of tire vibration could also be that tread has worn to the point where your tires no longer make even contact with the road. If you experience tire vibration at high speeds, start with a tire rotation, balance, and alignment. If it keeps shaking after that, it's likely time for new tires.

Bad tires also affect handling — your car's responsiveness when accelerating, turning, or braking. If your car drifts when cornering, worn tires could be the cause.

Worn tires also perform poorly in rain and are more prone to hydroplaning. Replace them quickly: Bad tires are dangerous.

Can cheap tires cause vibration? 

Cheap can refer to price or quality. We'll answer for low quality, as you can find many low-price tires on TireAgent.com that are very good quality.

Low-quality tires are often poorly balanced from the factory, which can cause vibration from the moment you put them on. They may also wear unevenly, which makes the problem worse over time. If you bought low quality tires and your car vibrates, the tires themselves may be the culprit — not alignment or wear. 

Can low tire pressure cause vibration?

Yes. When a tire is underinflated, it can't hold its shape properly, which causes uneven contact with the road and vibration while driving. If your car suddenly starts vibrating, check your tire pressure before assuming the worst. It may be a simple fix.

Will a tire rotation stop vibration?

Sometimes. If uneven wear is causing the vibration, rotating your tires can help by moving the more worn tires to positions where they have less impact. But rotation won't fix vibration caused by a balance issue, misalignment, or tires that are too far gone. If rotating doesn't solve it, the next steps are balancing and alignment — and if that doesn't work, it's time to replace your tires.

What causes your seat to vibrate at highway speeds?

Vibration you feel in your seat at highway speeds usually points to the rear tires. A vibration in your steering wheel, on the other hand, typically means the front tires are the problem. In both cases, the cause is likely an imbalance, uneven wear, or a tire that has been damaged. Get it checked. Vibrations that show up at high speeds tend to get worse over time.

3. You Notice Tires with Wires Showing

If you notice bald spots, visible wires, or cords showing on your tires, replace them. Don't drive on them.

Those wires are high-strength steel cords built into the rubber around the circumference of the tire. They help the tire hold its shape and stay attached to the wheel. They should never be visible.

If you can see wire showing on the side of the tire or anywhere, the outer layer of rubber has worn to the point where the tire's inner construction is exposed. The rubber is too thin and can easily rupture. Damage to the exposed cords could cause the tire to lose its structure entirely.

4. You See Cracks or Feel Bulges in Your Tire

Run your hands along the sidewall of your tire. If you feel a bulge, or see cracks in the rubber, your tire needs to be replaced immediately.

Cracks form as the rubber ages and breaks down from exposure to heat, cold, and the elements. Those cracks become weak points, and air can push through unevenly, creating a bulge that looks almost like a bubble on the side of your tire. Both are signs that a blowout is coming.

If you live in a very dry or very cold climate, your tires may crack and wear out faster. Check them more often.

5. Your Tire Doesn't Pass the Coin Test

You don't have to wait for an obvious sign like a bulge or exposed cords to know your tires are worn. The coin test is a quick way to check tread depth at home right now.

Since the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies in 2025, we're switching from the traditional penny test to a quarter. Insert a quarter into the groove of your tire, Washington's head facing down. Run it along several spots across the tire. If you can't see the top of Washington's head, your tread depth is fine. If you can, it's time to start shopping for new tires.

Many tires also have built-in tread wear indicators — colored bars that change when the tread is worn, or stamps showing tread percentage remaining. Nokian (pictured above) and Continental (pictured below) are two brands that do this well. Check your tire's sidewall or manufacturer's website to see if yours has them.

ID 24934279 | Checking Tires | Vasja Podbršček | Dreamstime.com