Tires don't last forever. In fact, in many cases, you will need to replace yours every 50,000 miles, if not more often, depending on the quality of your current tires and how aggressively you drive. If you're not sure whether your tires need to be replaced, there is a simple way to tell. Place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head facing down. If you can see the top of his head above the tread, it is time for new tires.

So, when the need for new tires arises, how do you know what to look for? There are hundreds of brands and thousands of models, so searching for the perfect tires can feel a bit like shopping for the perfect pair of jeans. The following five tips will help you narrow down your options to the best ones.

Check your owner's manual for the right size.

Many people check their old tires to see what size they need to purchase their new tires in. But what if the old tires were not the right size? A safer bet is to check your owner's manual and then purchase the size tires it recommends. Figure out what size you need before you do anything else, since not all tires come in every size. You can narrow down your tire options from the get-go by only shopping for ones that come in your size.

Make sure the tires were made this year.

Rubber is a pretty sturdy material, but it does break down over time -- even if the tires are not on a car! Tires made in 2009 and mounted on your car in 2017 won't last as long as ones made in 2017 and mounted in 2017. So, before you purchase a set of tires, check to see which year it was made. If you're buying tires online, do not buy from a vendor who does not list the year of manufacture in the product description. If you're buying from a physical retail store, ask to see the tire yourself before you buy it. You can look on the side of the tire for a four digit code. The mode indicates the week and year of manufacture. For instance, 1410 would mean the tire was made in the 14th week of 2010. 

You might get a great deal on tires that were made a few years ago, but they won't last as long -- so newly made tires are usually the better value.

Look for a good warranty.

Any reputable tire brand provides a good warranty of 50,000 miles or more on their tires. The longer the warranty, the longer you can expect the tires to last. If the car is near the end of its life, you can save money by buying tires with a lower warranty. However, if you are going to drive the car for another 60,000 miles or more, tires with a better warranty are probably the best choice.

In most cases, you want "all season" tires.

Some buyers may buy "high performance" tires thinking that they will last longer, but that's not what "high performance" means. These tires are actually made for drivers who travel at high speeds and perhaps do some stunt driving or rally racing. They won't last longer than all-season tires; they're just more costly. For the average driver, all-season tires are the perfect choice to provide adequate traction throughout the whole year.

With the tips above, you should have no trouble finding great tires for your car. If you're not sure which brand is the best buy, ask your local tire shop for some recommendations.