How Long Should Tires Last on a Brand-New Car?

Reviewed by

Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Technical Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on March 3rd, 2025

Reading Time: 6 minutes
Summary
  • Unfortunately, tires on brand-new cars tend to wear out faster than tires from an exclusive tire manufacturer. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tires are usually made of softer rubber and inflated below the recommended air pressure level.
  • Generally speaking, original equipment tires on a new car can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 miles. This means you can get around 3 to 5 years out of your OEM tires before you have to replace them.
  • Tire type, treadwear rating, and drivetrain are some of the factors that can affect your tire’s lifespan.
  • You can extend your tire’s lifespan through regular maintenance and inspection, rotating your tires regularly, and building good driving habits.

Don’t expect your new car’s tires to last long, no matter how premium they might feel. While some stock tires can match branded tires when it comes to handling and steering, they aren’t known for their longevity. In fact, you might have to swap out your brand-new car’s tires sooner than you expect.

Do Tires on New Cars Wear Out Faster?

Yes, unfortunately, tires on brand-new cars tend to wear out faster than tires from an exclusive tire manufacturer. Unlike those from well-known brands, stock tires are typically built for ride quality and not durability.

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tires are sometimes made of softer rubber. The tire pressure is set at the dealership during new vehicle pre-delivery and you should check your tire pressure regularly to prevent premature wear. Use the pressure on the door sticker, not the maximum pressure you see on the tire itself.

Note that because most manufacturers don’t include tires in your vehicle’s warranty, they aren’t inclined to produce long-lasting stock tires.

How Many Miles Do Tires Last on a New Car?

Tire longevity can depend on various factors such as tire type, driving habits, and maintenance. Generally speaking, original equipment tires on a new car can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 miles. Sometimes, high-performance tires or special factory-added tires might have a shorter lifespan, even when you buy replacement tires.

Depending on how far you drive and how you drive, you can generally expect to get around 3 to 5 years out of your OEM tires before you have to replace them.

Pro Tips are nuggets of information direct from ASE-certified automobile technicians working with CarParts.com, which may include unique, personal insights based on their years of experience working in the automotive industry. These can help you make more informed decisions about your car.

Pro Tip: If you drive slowly making a lot of turns in asphalt parking lots (like a security guard, for example) expect your front tires to wear out very rapidly. Hard cornering and jackrabbit obviously accelerate wear too.

Tire longevity can depend on various factors such as tire type, driving habits, and maintenance. Generally speaking, original equipment tires on a new car can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 miles.

Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

How Long Do Tires Last on Average?

As for branded tires, you can expect them to last around 50,000 miles as well. However, you can typically get around 6 years out of them before you have to replace them. Tires have a wear rating, though, and you get what you pay for. If you buy cheap tires, they won’t last as long as more expensive tires of the same size and type.

What Causes Tires To Wear Out Too Quickly?

OEM or not, tires can wear out faster if you aren’t careful. Here are some factors that can shorten your tire’s lifespan:

Tire Type

Depending on the type of tire you choose, you can end up with tires that wear out much faster than you’d like. For example, while the softer rubber of high-performance tires gives you a better grip, they also wear out faster than all-season tires.

Treadwear Rating

Tires with higher treadwear ratings will last much longer than tires with lower treadwear ratings. This is because tread depth will naturally decrease over time, affecting your vehicle’s traction and grip on the road.

Get a set of tires with a high treadwear rating, and replace them if the tread depth drops below 2/32 inches.

Drivetrain

Your vehicle’s drivetrain determines which wheels receive the power from the motor. If all that power is directed to a single wheel, then that tire will wear out much faster than the other tires. This is usually resolved by rotating the tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, but waiting too long between tire rotations can cause your tire’s lifespan to decrease significantly.

Terrain and Road Conditions

If you’re big on off-road adventures, be prepared to replace your tires sooner than expected. Driving on bumpy, unpaved roads and going up and down hills can cause your tires to wear out faster.

Bad Driving Habits

While you might enjoy the thrill of going fast, your tires won’t. Rapid acceleration and slamming the brakes are bad driving habits that will cause your tires to wear out faster.

How To Extend Your Tire’s Lifespan

If you want your tires to last, there are a few ways you can do so. Here are tips on how to extend your tire’s mileage:

Regular Maintenance and Inspection

The best way to prolong your tire’s lifespan is to monitor its condition. Regularly inspect its tire tread, and look for any visible cracks or holes. Don’t forget to follow your manufacturer’s recommended service interval for tire maintenance.

Rotate Tires Regularly

All types of vehicles can benefit from regular tire rotation, and this includes all-wheel-drive models as well. Rotating the tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles can help spread tire wear evenly, which can prolong their lifespan.

Keep Tires Balanced

If you notice any vibrations or unusual bounce when driving, then your tires might be due for a rotation. You can get your tires balanced at most auto shops, where they’ll use a balance machine to detect the high and low spots on a tire. When a mechanic finds an imbalance in the tire, they’ll hammer weights onto the wheel to balance it out.

While you’re there, it’s a good idea to ask for a wheel alignment as well. This will make sure your car doesn’t just suddenly pull in one direction, which can cause tire wear.

Build Good Driving Habits

Rapid acceleration, sudden braking, and turning the steering wheel unnecessarily can all cause premature tire wear. Practice being mindful of your driving habits, so you can put a stop to the ones damaging your tires.

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

Improper tire pressure can lead to several problems, including unresponsive steering and poor fuel economy. Underinflated tires, in particular, can overheat, leading to tire tread damage and blowouts. The good news is that you can luckily avoid these issues by simply maintaining the proper tire pressure.

How Do You Know How Old Your Tires Are?

On the sidewall of your tires, you’ll find the letters “DOT” followed by a series of eleven to twelve characters. This is called the US Department of Transportation (DOT) number, and the last four digits indicate the week and year the tire was manufactured.

For example, a DOT number ending in 1923 means the tire was produced in the 19th week of the year 2023.

How Often Should You Change Your Tires?

The average mileage for tires can range between 36,000 to 75,000 miles. In general, however, it’s best to replace your tires before they hit their 10-year mark. Keep in mind that you might have to change your tires sooner than that if you observe any of the following signs:

  • Illuminated tire warning light
  • Low tire tread
  • Cracked tires
  • Uneven tire wear
  • Vibrations while driving

Replace your tires as soon as you notice any of these symptoms, or you might risk damaging your tires even further.

Where to Get a New Wheel and Tire Package for Your Vehicle

Sometimes, your vehicle needs more than just new wheels or replacement tires. It requires a complete wheel and tire package that will deliver similar or better performance than the old or damaged parts they replace. Good thing you can easily find a suitable wheel and tire package here at CarParts.com.

CarParts.com makes searching for wheel and tire packages and other automotive parts easy. Finding a fitting product in our catalog only requires you to plug your vehicle’s year, make, model, and engine into our website’s built-in vehicle selector. We exclusively source our parts from well-established brands in the automotive parts industry, ensuring you get the best bang for your buck. If you live in the continental US and send your order before noon ET, you can get your new wheel and tire package in as fast as two business days.

Are you searching for competitively priced wheels and tires? Get a wheel and tire package that fits your vehicle and budget from CarParts.com today!

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