How long do winter tires last?

Have you had the same winter tires for your car for a few years and are you wondering when they need to be replaced? In this blog you will find the answer to the question: "How long will my winter tires last?". We will also give you a number of tips to extend the lifespan of your winter tires. So read on quickly!

Winter tires – how long do they last?

The distance you can travel with your winter tires is between 30.000 and 100.000 km. The average lifespan of car tires is therefore approximately 65.000 km with “normal” use. It is not possible to say exactly how many years winter tires last. One person drives more than another and therefore these numbers vary considerably. In addition, there are other factors that relate to tire wear, such as driving style and the quality of the tires. You should therefore not replace a winter tire after a certain period of time, but when you notice that the tires are starting to wear out.

When are my winter tires worn out?

Okay, so your winter tires have reached the end of their lifespan when you see that they are worn out. But when exactly are they worn out? Well, when the indentation (the tread) of the car tires has shrunk too much. A new tire has a tread of about 8 to 10 millimeters. When tires only have a tread depth of 1,6 millimeters, they are legally worn out. However, we recommend replacing your winter tires earlier, at a tread depth of 4 mm. At a tread depth below 4 mm, winter tires lose their unique properties for safe driving in the winter.

The cars of our car rental in Sittard are checked annually for wear of the tires. Have your car checked regularly for this as well. Mechanics from a garage then check the tires for cracks, dryness and tread depth.

Extend the life of your winter tires

Of course, you want to keep your winter tires in good condition for as long as possible, so that you don't have to spend money on new tires. There are a number of things you can do to ensure that your tires remain in good condition for as long as possible, namely:

Drive more quietly

Your driving behavior is very important for the lifespan of your winter tires. If you often drive fast, often accelerate and brake with the car, your tires will wear faster. Therefore, do not drive too fast and do not brake too late. If you brake more often in time and occasionally let the car roll out, you will see that your tires last longer.

Check tire pressure regularly

It is important that your winter tires have the correct tire pressure. Too low pressure can lead to damage to the tire and faster wear. Due to reduced road holding, the tire has to work harder to maintain grip on the road surface and adapt to the driver's driving behavior. This not only causes your tires to wear out faster, but also increases your fuel consumption. We therefore recommend that you check the tire pressure of your winter tires every month.

Balancing tires for even tire wear

To prevent your car from vibrating or shaking when driving fast, it is important that the wheels are equally heavy over the entire circumference. When fitting your winter tyres, make sure that the tyres are properly balanced. This not only increases driving comfort, but also ensures even tyre wear.

Put on your summer tires in time

Is summer approaching? Then it is time to replace your winter tires with summer tires! Winter tires wear out 20 percent faster than summer tires at temperatures above 15 degrees. So, replace your tires in time. Then store them in a dark, dry and cool place. This prevents the tires from drying out and becoming damaged.

You now know how to extend the life of your winter tires and when they really need replacing. Want to know more about the condition of certain car parts? Then read our blog: 'How to recognize a worn or broken timing belt'.