The life of your tires is directly related to the effort you put into protecting them. Typically a tire lasts 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Tires also tell you a lot about your vehicle -- whether its driven on rough terrain or pavement, if it's a speed demon or slow and steady, and if it's traveled on road trips or simply seen the route to work.

The points below will help you spot if you need a tire change, and also provide you with tips on how to extend tire life:

1. Check your tire pressure regularly, about once a month. You can do this at most gas stations. You can also buy an air pressure gauge at a hardware store.

2. Check your tread wear. If it looks uneven, then you might have an alignment issue, which is wearing down the rubber. If the pattern is worn smooth allover, it's time to switch them out.

3. Rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. A 5 tire rotation can make your rubber last 20 to 30% longer.

4. Check the date code of the casing. If it's 5 years or older, it's probably times to get them checked.