What counts as visible damage serious enough to replace a tire?

The following should prompt immediate replacement without waiting for the tread to wear down:<ul><li>Any bulge or bubble on the sidewall — this indicates internal cord damage</li><li>Cuts or gashes deep enough to expose the underlying fabric cords</li><li>Cracking in the sidewall or tread that opens when the rubber is flexed</li><li>Tread or sidewall damage from running the tire while flat</li><li>Any puncture in the sidewall — sidewall damage cannot be repaired</li></ul>

When to Replace Tires: Wear, Age, and Safety Signs

Key Tire Replacement Guidelines

After Five Years: Increased Inspection Recommended

After five years of service, tires should be thoroughly inspected at least once a year by a trained tire professional. These inspections can help identify signs of aging or damage that may not be immediately visible.

This recommendation applies even if the tires appear to be in good condition and have not yet reached the treadwear indicators.

Ten Years: Maximum Recommended Service Life

As a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing tires ten years after their date of manufacture, regardless of remaining tread depth or apparent condition. This recommendation includes spare tires.

Over time, the materials within a tire can degrade, which may affect durability and performance even if the tire has seen limited use.

Proper Care Can Help Extend Tire Life

Routine maintenance plays an important role in maximizing tire lifespan and supporting overall tire safety. This includes:

Maintaining recommended inflation pressure
Rotating tires at recommended intervals
Keeping wheels properly aligned and balanced
Following vehicle manufacturer maintenance guidelines

For vehicles equipped with original equipment tires, always follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations for tire replacement.

Signs That Tires May Need to Be Replaced

While tread depth is an important indicator, it is not the only factor to consider when determining whether tires should be replaced. Michelin recommends paying attention to the following signs of wear or damage.

Treadwear Indicators

Tires are equipped with built-in treadwear indicators located within the tread grooves. When the tread surface wears down to the same level as these indicators, 2/32 inch (1.6 mm), the tire has reached its minimum tread depth and should be replaced.

Sidewall Damage

Cuts, cracks, bulges, or blisters on the sidewall may indicate structural damage. Sidewall damage cannot be repaired and may increase the risk of tire failure.

Any tire showing visible sidewall damage should be inspected immediately by a trained tire professional.

Vibrations or Changes in Ride Feel

Unusual vibrations, pulling, or changes in handling may indicate uneven wear, internal tire damage, or other tire-related issues. These symptoms can occur even when tread depth appears acceptable.

Persistent vibration or handling changes may also be related to wheel alignment or balance issues, which should be inspected to determine whether tire replacement is necessary.

Decline in Performance

Reduced grip, longer braking distances, or decreased traction, especially in wet conditions, may signal that a tire is no longer performing as intended, even if legal tread depth remains.

Performance decline can result from tire aging, uneven wear, or internal material degradation.

How to Check the Manufacturing Date of a Tire

To determine a tire’s age, locate the DOT (Department of Transportation) code on the tire sidewall.

The final four digits of the DOT code indicate the week and year of manufacture.

For example, a DOT code ending in 3520 means the tire was manufactured during the 35th week of 2020.

While tire age alone does not determine whether a tire is serviceable, it is an important factor when considered alongside wear, condition, and performance indicators.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions.

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Tread depth is the most common trigger, but it's not the only one. Replace tires when: the tread reaches the legal minimum depth indicated by the built-in wear bars, visible damage appears on the sidewall (bulges, cuts, or cracks), the tires have been in service for ten years from the manufacture date regardless of tread, or performance changes — such as persistent vibration or reduced wet-weather grip — suggest internal degradation.

No. A tire can have adequate tread and still need replacing. Age-related rubber degradation, UV and ozone damage, and internal structural damage from impacts can compromise a tire that looks acceptable on the outside. Vibration that wasn't there before, a persistent pull to one side, or unusual handling behavior after hitting a pothole are all signs worth having inspected. Michelin recommends against relying on appearance or mileage alone.

Yes, particularly if they're several years old. Rubber degrades over time from heat cycles, UV exposure, and ozone in ways that aren't visible on the surface. Michelin recommends a close inspection by a tire professional after five years of use, and replacement by ten years from the manufacture date — regardless of how much tread remains. The manufacture date is in the last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall.

The ideal is always four matching tires. If only one is damaged or worn, the replacement should match the other three as closely as possible in brand, model, size, and remaining tread depth. If replacing two, fit both on the rear axle. Replacing a single tire on an AWD or 4WD vehicle requires extra care, as significant differences in circumference across the four tires can stress the drivetrain. Consult the vehicle manufacturer's guidelines or a trained technician before replacing just one tire on those systems.

Yes. Spare tires age on the same timeline as regular tires, whether they've been used or not. A compact spare that has never been driven on still ages from the manufacture date stamped in its DOT code. Michelin's ten-year guideline applies to spares as well. Check the spare's inflation pressure at least once a year and inspect it for cracking or damage.

The following should prompt immediate replacement without waiting for the tread to wear down:

Any bulge or bubble on the sidewall — this indicates internal cord damage
Cuts or gashes deep enough to expose the underlying fabric cords
Cracking in the sidewall or tread that opens when the rubber is flexed
Tread or sidewall damage from running the tire while flat
Any puncture in the sidewall — sidewall damage cannot be repaired

When to Replace Tires

Key Tire Replacement Guidelines

After Five Years: Increased Inspection Recommended