When to Replace Your Tires in Lebanon (and How to Pick Good Ones)
Tires are the only thing connecting your car to the road. In Lebanon, they take a beating: pothole-strewn roads, summer heat over 35°C, salty coastal air, and long descents from the mountains that abuse braking systems and tire compounds alike.
Signs it's time to replace
- Tread depth below 3 mm: the legal minimum is 1.6 mm, but stopping distances on wet roads degrade rapidly below 3 mm. Use the coin test (a 1,000 LL coin inserted upside down — most of the value should be hidden) or a depth gauge.
- Cracks in the sidewall: common after 5–6 years of Lebanese sun.
- Bulges or "bubbles": internal damage from pothole impacts — replace immediately.
- Uneven wear: indicates alignment or suspension issues.
- Age: even with good tread, tires older than 6 years (check the DOT date code) should be inspected; 10 years is the absolute outer limit.
What to buy
Stick with reputable brands (Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, Goodyear, Hankook). All-season tires fit most of Lebanon; if you regularly drive to ski resorts in winter, dedicated winter or proper M+S/3PMSF-rated tires are worth it. Run-flats are common on premium German cars — replacing with non-run-flats can affect ride and handling.
Buying and fitting
Verify the DOT date code (last 4 digits = WWYY of manufacture) — avoid tires more than 1–2 years old at purchase. Always replace in pairs (same axle) or all four. Get an alignment after new tires; it pays for itself in tire life.