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Do you change tires when tread bar indicates it is time or, do you change based on tire age or mileage?

MacMP

I always change my tires before they reach the wear bar. I have a tire gauge and buy new tires before they reach 5/32nds. As they are the only part of the car with ground contact, to me there is no part which contributes to safety more than the tires.

chassis

Near wear bar, and/or when noise and ride quality become annoying.

Streamliner

I’m a nut about tires and change mine around 18K to 20K miles. I like riding on the first half of tire life, rather than on the last half. Newer tires produce less noise, ride better and I feel more secure, knowing that the tires are fresh. And, since I pretty much drive like the proverbial “little old lady,” my old tires are usually in excellent condition. I always save the old tires and I sell them on Craigslist, usually for between $150.00 and $200.00 for the set. I feel that putting new, high quality tires on your car is one of the least expensive ways to insure the safety of myself and my passengers. I always dump the run flats and am a huge fan of the Bridgestone QuietTrack tires.

Tom in Austin

Several factors beyond just treadwear ... one would be how even the wear is, whether a tire had been patched (I know, doesn't apply to RFTs), loses air, general satisfaction with ride, handling and noise characteristics, etc. AND, the big one, with staggered wheels whether you want to keep a matched set all around. Some people replace tires with lots of tread left because they're doing two on the other axle and decide to just change them all at once.

Ronny G

Mine are at 23,500 on the original Perilli run flats. Need new tires very soon. Staggered 20".

SilverArrow44

Both wear and age are replacement factors. If the tires reach the wear indicator before they become 6 years old, then they should be replaced. If you rarely drive the vehicle and the tires become 6 years old before reaching the wear indicator, then they have age out and should be replaced. However if at any time you feel that your tires are compromised, you should consider changing them.