When Should You Change Your Tires?
Tires are the car's only contact with the road. Changing them on time isn't about saving money — it's about safety.
Updated: June 2026
1. Tread depth — the legal limit and the safe one
| Situation | Tread depth |
|---|---|
| Legal minimum (Romania) | 1.6 mm |
| Recommended change — summer | 3 mm |
| Recommended change — winter | 4 mm |
The TWI (Tread Wear Indicator) is a small marker molded into the tire groove — when the tread reaches its level, you're at the legal limit. But grip on wet roads drops significantly well before you get there.
Quick way to check: insert a 1 leu coin into the groove — if you can see the whole gold rim, the tread is too shallow.
2. Age — when to change regardless
Rubber ages chemically even if the car sits in a garage. The visible sign: fine cracks on the sidewalls or in the grooves.
- 6 years from manufacture: have it checked by a specialist.
- 10 years: mandatory replacement, regardless of appearance or tread.
The manufacture date is read from the DOT code on the sidewall — the last 4 digits represent the week and year (e.g. 1524 = week 15 of 2024).
3. Season — the 7°C rule
🌡️ Below 7°C average temperature → fit winter tires. Summer rubber hardens below this value and loses grip even on dry roads, without snow or ice.
In Romania, winter (or all-season) tires are legally mandatory in winter conditions when there's snow, ice or black ice on the road.
Practical rule: October → winter tires, April → summer tires — adjust based on the local forecast.
4. Signs you need to change them right away
- Cracks or bulges on the sidewalls.
- Uneven wear (more on one side) → a sign of alignment problems.
- Vibrations or unusual noise while driving.
- Pressure drops frequently (possible leak).
⚠️ A tire with bulges or deep cracks can fail suddenly. Don't delay replacement in these cases.
Don't forget the seasonal changeover
AutoMeu reminds you of the seasonal checklist (summer/winter) · voice + AI car log · ITP, RCA and rovinietă alerts · your car's documents on your phone. Free.
Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum legal tread depth?
1.6 mm in Romania. Specialists recommend replacing at 3 mm (summer) / 4 mm (winter) — grip drops significantly below these values.
How many years does a tire last?
Have it checked at 6 years, mandatory replacement at 10 years from manufacture, regardless of appearance.
When do you fit winter tires?
Below 7°C average daily temperature. Summer rubber hardens below this temperature and loses grip.