Are Michelin tires good for 10 years?

As far back as we can remember, we’ve always been led to believe that tires, whether used or unused, have an expiry date. It’s about 6 years after the tire’s manufacture date where it then needs to be discarded regardless of condition. Michelin, however, is telling us otherwise.

Through their new “Tyres Are Not Bananas” campaign, Michelin wants us to understand that unlike the fruit, tires stay fresh over time.

Newer Doesn’t Mean Safer
When buying a set of tires, it means that you don’t have to ask for the newest stock (with the latest manufacture date). That’s because, when tires are un-inflated, do not carry any load, and exposed to minor temperature fluctuations in storage, they do not deteriorate as explained by Michelin.

The Department of Customer Protection in South Korea and ADAC in Germany even did a test to compare a set of new vs un-used 3-year-old tires. And lo and behold, there was no performance difference between the 2.

Retire After 10 Years in Service
Instead of the tire’s manufacture date, what you should really remember is when it was installed in your vehicle. That’s when the real ageing process starts, when it’s exposed to high speeds, sudden braking, difference surfaces, extreme temperatures, and heavy loads. And mind you, tires also degrade even when the vehicle is not used.

So, what does Michelin recommend? Purely as a precaution and not technical based, Michelin tires that have been in service for 10 years should be retired.

“It is not on tire age, but on correct tire maintenance that vehicle owners should be meticulous about,” said Michael Nunag, Michelin’s Chief Representative to the Philippines. “Maintaining correct tire pressure, proper alignment, inspection for damages, and tread depth measurements is important.”

Common sense, however, dictates that when a tire fails inspection it must be replaced even before it celebrates its 10th birthday.

Technically, Michelin never used the word ‘expire’ in their new campaign. But that’s pretty much what they’re trying to say, that their tires in particular are designed to provide good, reliable service for many years regardless of manufacture date.

Michelin tires also come with a 6-year replacement warranty for passenger and light truck tires. And it only begins counting on the date of installation.

Michelin is the largest tire company in the world. The iconic brand is synonymous with quality tires for all sorts of driving. The Michelin headquarters are located in Clermont-Ferrand, France.

So, how many miles do Michelin tires last? Michelin tires last between 45,000-85,000 miles or 72,400-136,800 km.

In detail, how long do Michelin tires last? Its lifespan is about 5-10 years. A number that’s been specified by the Michelin tire age recommendation.

Table of Contents

• How Long Does an Average Tire Last?
• Types of Popular Michelin Tires
  • 1. The Michelin Defender
  • 2. The Michelin Premier
  • 3. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
• Are Michelin Tires Worth the Money?
• Conclusion

How Long Does an Average Tire Last?

Since most people drive 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year, an average lifespan of a tire can last an everyday driver for 3 to 5 years. The difference can be pretty substantial when compared to a Michelin tire mileage.

Types of Popular Michelin Tires

1. The Michelin Defender

The Michelin Defender is an all-season tire usable for every terrain. It comes in 57 different sizes to accommodate most vehicle types.

It’s a durable tire with proprietary technology employed by Michelin themselves, which can either be great or bad news. Since tires with more proprietary technology are more expensive.

With all this technology, how long do Michelin defender tires last? Michelin assures consumers that Defender tires can last 90,000 miles or 144,840 km.

2. The Michelin Premier

Designed for sedans, coupes, and minivans. The Michelin Premier is a tire that focuses in and improves your vehicle’s handling, especially on wet surfaces.

These tires specialize in providing traction on wet roads due to their structure. Its unique treading pattern and materials are made from a blend of sunflower oil and extreme silica. These features effectively grip the pavement, so your handling isn’t compromised.

The Michelin premier also comes fitted with twin steel belts inside to provide durability. Due to this, the Michelin Premier tires last substantially long at 60,000 miles or 96,560 km.

3. The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S is the 4th-generation summer tire from Michelin. It offers grip and handling, even at high speeds, which they derived from the Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

These tires are meant for summer. However, due to high temperatures, the air pressure inside the tires may expand. That’s why it’s always an option to consider changing your tires to more specific products that handle increased temperatures when driving.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires last at about 30,000 miles. While relatively short when compared to other Michelin products. You’d only be using this tire for several months during the summer.

Read now: Michelin Pilot Sport 4s vs Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

Are Michelin Tires Worth the Money?

It’s definitely up to you. While Michelin tires are top-notch quality products, they can get quite expensive compared to other tire brands.

Michelin tires lifespan as a product has always been rather impressive, lasting up to 10 years. The brand’s tires have always been known to the car world as tires that offer excellent performance and durability, so the cost would naturally be higher.

Michelin offers a wide array of tires optimized for every driving activity. If you eventually decide to buy Michelin tires, make sure you choose the one that’s perfectly ideal for the driving you usually do.

Conclusion

How long do Michelin tires last? Now you know that Michelin products are built to last. Whether traveling around the country, taking a long road trip, or just commuting daily, you can trust that your tires will last.

However, as the top tire manufacturer in the world, their products can get relatively expensive for an average consumer. If you’re good for it, Michelin tires can be a pretty good investment.

Before you go, don’t forget to check our comparison of Michelin with other tire brands to find out the best tire for you:

• Michelin vs Bridgestone tires.
• Michelin vs Cooper tires.
• Michelin vs Goodyear tires.

How long should my Michelin tires last?

Should I replace tires after 10 years?

Where is the expiration date on Michelin tires?

Which tires have the longest life?