When is it time to replace ATV/UTV tires?

Buyer's Guide

Like any tires, the tires on your ATVs and UTVs eventually need replaced. But how do you know when it is time to replace your ATV/UTV tires? What are the signs that your tires are weathering or aging? What seasonal changes tell you it’s time to change tires? Let’s review the signs that indicate when it’s time to replace ATV/UTV tires.

Signs of ATV/UTV Tire Wear and Tear

ATV tires should be checked on a regular basis for signs of wear and tear that happen during normal ATV/UTV use. Rocky terrain can be especially hard on your tires. Here are several signs of wear that you can identify through a quick visual inspection or through the way your ATV/UTV drives and rides.

Cracks/punctures
Small holes
Losing PSI
Tread loss/rounded treads
Bald spots
Weird noises
Vibrations or wobbling

Clean your tires off and take your ATV/UTV for a quick spin on a normal surface to determine the quality of the ride and see if you hear any tire noise. If you notice any humming, thumping, or wobbling, be sure to check for the issues above, because there is a tire problem, and you need to address it right away.

When your tires lose pressure regularly, it is time to order new tires or replace the one that is going flat. If you see any significant cracks or holes, you’ll want to replace the tire before it fails when you need it most.

When it comes to the treads and lugs, watch out for missing lugs and rounded treads, which are an indication of tire wear. Worn treads and bald spots on tires mean it is time for a new tire or tires. Missing lugs should never be ignored. When a lug comes off a tire tread, it is definitely time to replace the tire.

Changes in Season and Terrain

When the seasons change, it’s time to change the tires on your ATV/UTV. When fall turns to winter, many climates change from sand to snow, rocky terrain to deep snow, or soft soil to hard pack/frozen soil. If drought has become an issue in your neck of the woods, consider if you have the right tire for the dry, hard pack conditions. Or, if the rainy season is here, it might be time to consider mud tires. ATV Tires has snow tires, mud tires, sand tires, all-terrain tires, and more to meet your needs for seasonal ATV and UTV tire changes.

Learn more about why riding conditions matter when it comes to ATV and UTV tire choice.

ATV/UTV Tire Purchase Tips

There are several ways to ensure a flat ATV tire doesn’t keep you from your work or recreational activities. The first tip is to plan ahead. Be sure to buy a spare when you buy a set of tires. You will be glad you have a spare when you get a flat. Second, buy sooner rather than later. You don’t want to wait to buy new tires, because it isn’t always a given that you can get specialty tires right away. Third tip—buy a common or popular brand of ATV tires. When you choose a common tire brand, it will make it easier and faster to replace one or more tires. Fourth tip—think smart and practical rather than choosing the “cool” tire. It’s tempting to go for the unusual it makes more common sense to order the most practical tires for your ATV/UTV.

Making ATV/UTV Tires Last Longer

Riding smart will make the tires on your ATV last longer. That means not overloading your ATV/UTV with equipment, materials or people. To preserve your investment in quality tires, avoid joy riding. While they may seem fun, donuts, wheelies and spinning tires cause a lot of wear on tires. This can reduce the life of tires dramatically.

Making tires last longer also means making pre-ride inspection into a habit. The sooner you catch issues, the fewer flats and issues you’ll have. Catch minor tire issues before they become major issues and find you stuck miles from your destination without a spare. Check the tire inflation to ensure it’s at the right PSI. Riding with low PSI can cause unusual wear. Be sure to rotate your tires regularly so they wear more evenly, and keep them clean so you can see any punctures, tears, holes or cracks that occur. Mud can hide rocks that can continue to damage your UTV or ATV tires, so wash down your vehicle after doing a mud run.

Finally, store your ATV or UTV out of the sun and weather. Tire protectant can further help the tires maintain flexibility and strength and avoid dry rot.

Learn more about getting the most out of your ATV tires.

So remember, if you think it might be time to replace ATV/UTV Tires and you have questions, contact ATVTires.com.
Our experts have answers to your questions about choosing ATV tires as well as maintaining them for maximum life.

To ask a question, contact us now.