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How Long Do Tires Last? How Long Should They Last?

By Sean Collins

November 28, 2025

6 min read

4 Clues That Reveal a Tire's Lifespan

How many miles are on tires? There’s no odometer on the tire letting you know this, but there are clues to help you determine the age, based on when it was made, how many miles you've driven, and how worn the tread is.

Manufacturing date

Before get into how long new tires last, let’s first find out how to determine the age and lifespan of tires so you can know when to expect to replace them.

Tires sold in the U.S. include DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation) codes that tell where and when tires were made. The last two digits of the code represent the year the tire was made (25 equals 2025), while the two digits preceding the year represent the week the tire was produced. So, a DOT code ending in 0425 would have produced in January, the fourth week of 2025.

Tires can last anywhere from 3 to 10 years -- typically 6 to 7 years -- depending on the quality of the rubber, type of tire, how often you drive, and your driving habits. More expensive tires don’t always last longer. A more expensive high-performance tire may not last as long as a less expensive all-season touring tire, for example. But a high-performance tire may offer better handling and grip.

So, the lifespan of a tire from the manufacturing date depends on the materials used for the tread type.

Tread depth

Many modern tires have a treadwear indicator built into the tread. It might look like a little bar that’s in the groove of your tire. It helps show how much tread is left, which affects how many miles remain.

If tires lack a treadwear indicator, you can estimate how long your tires might last by using the penny trick, where you put an upside-down penny in the groove to see if Lincoln’s head is visible. Since the penny is being phased out, this also works with a quarter and Washington’s head. You're checking if the tread is less than 2/32 of an inch, which is an indication that your tire treads are too worn down to drive on (and unsafe).

Tread rating

Tires that have higher UTQG treadwear ratings, especially compared to the average rating of similar tires, are expected to last longer.

In general, the longest-lasting type of tires are highway terrain tires, which average around a 632 treadwear rating.* A highway terrain all season tire with a UTQG treadwear rating of 800, for example, means that the manufacturer tested its tire and found that outlasts the average of 632.

Although treadwear is correlated to longer-lasting tires, it doesn't mean you'll get more miles. A higher treadwear rating will wear down more slowly than other tires. But tough roads, damage, and driving habits still affect how fast your tires wear out.

Warranty

Another factor to consider in long-lasting tires is the warranty. Tire manufacturers include a limited mileage warranty that covers certain tires. A limited warranty with, say, 40,000 miles, implies that the manufacturer expects its tire to last 40,000 miles or longer under normal driving conditions.

The keyword here is “normal,” as tire warranties usually are voided if the tire is damaged due to road debris or driving off-road.

If you submit a claim on a tire warranty, you won't be refunded the full value of a new tire, though. The manufacturer measures the treadwear (such as the treadwear indicator) to test if the tire is worn. If the tire is worn and you’re within the mileage warranty, you’ll be compensated based on the remaining number of miles.

For a 40,000-mile warranty that only lasted 32,000 miles, you might be refunded 20% of the tire’s value for the remaining 8,000 miles.

6 Ways to Extend Tire Treadlife

Here are six ways to get more life out of new or current tires:

Rotate your tires: Helps tread wear evenly and reduces uneven strain on specific areas.
Balance your wheels: Prevents uneven weight distribution that can wear tires faster.
Driving habits: Avoid hard braking, hard acceleration, and hitting curbs.
On-road driving: If your tires are only meant for on-road driving, don’t take them off road or onto rough terrain.
Seasonal use: Don’t use summer tires in winter, as cold temperatures can damage their internal construction.
Maintain correct tire pressure: Check the inside of your door jamb to see what your tire pressure should be. Incorrect tire pressure causes uneven wear.

5 Examples of Long-Lasting Tires

Looking for some of the longest-lasting, highest treadlife tires? Check out this list of manufacturers that have the longest treadlife tires. Tire Agent also recommends a few tires that are known for having a longer lifespan, such as:

Hankook Kinergy PT H737: 860 UTQG rating and 90,000-mile warranty**
Goodyear Assurance MaxLife: 820 UTQG rating and 85,000-mile warranty
Michelin Defender2: 840 UTQG rating and 80,000-mile warranty
Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza PLUS: 800 UTQG rating and 80,000-mile warranty
Continental TrueContact Tour 54: 840 UTQG rating and 80,000-mile warranty

If you’re replacing your old tires and need high-mileage tires, use Tire Agent to find tires that match your criteria. Our tire matching tool takes your vehicle information and fits it with some of the best brands and models guaranteed to match your vehicle (assuming you've entered the correct specs!). With fast and free shipping within the continental U.S., we’ll get you back on the road in no time. We also offer a list of verified tire installers in your area to make it easy to get your new tires situated.

*Based on our analysis of more than 67,000 tires from the top 80 manufacturers.

** UTQG ratings and warranties are subject to change and may vary based on tire size.

ID 88492994 | Old Tires | Sompong Sriphet | Dreamstime.com

About the author

Sean Collins

Sean Collins is a tire and wheel specialist with vast industry experience dating back to 1994. A true car enthusiast and motorsports fan, he combines his expertise in tire technology and wheel fitment to deliver top-tier solutions for customers.