Running a car can be expensive and with all the associated costs that come with it, you will want to save money wherever you can.
As one of the most important safety features on your car, we always recommend that investing a good set of tyres, which will last a long time is a good place to start.
However, even the best tyres will require regular maintenance to continue performing at their full capacity. Whether you’ve had your current tyres for a while or have just fitted a new set, there are a few things you can do to expand the lifespan of your tyres.
Get to know your tyres
If all you see when you look at your tyres is a rubber ring, then there’s not a lot of point trying to look after them at all. Before you try and carry out checks on your tyres, it’s a good idea to dig out the owner’s manual from your glove compartment and learn about the tyres currently fitted to your car. Familiarising yourself with their size and correct pressure will save you a lot of hassle when it comes to their maintenance.
If your current tyres aren’t the ones that were originally fitted as standard, then make sure to check the tyre sidewall for the size.
Regular tyre pressure checks
As your first line of defence in driving safety, it’s recommended that you check your tyre pressure every month. You can usually find a guide for your cars’ optimum tyre pressure in the petrol cap or inside the driver side door. Luckily for owners of newer cars, most manufacturers will fit a TPMS as standard, which will detect and alert you to any changes in tyre pressure.
Making sure your tyres are properly inflated means they will continue to perform as they should. If they’re under-inflated, it will have a negative impact on the tyre wear, fuel consumption and load capacity.
Realign your tyres
There are a number of factors which contribute to the wear and tear of tyres. While your own driving plays a big role, misalignment can reduce tyre lifespan by up to 25%. If you feel like your car is pulling to one side or doesn’t roll in a straight line when you have light grip on the wheel, then it could mean that the alignment needs checking.
This can be checked by a garage or mechanic and easily reset the alignment so it drives straight. By doing this, it reduces the strain on the car and tyres and improve the rate of tyre wear.
Avoid kerbing and bumps
We mentioned that your driving plays a big role in ensuring the long lifespan of your tyres. Repetitive kerbing of your car can damage the tyres, scuffing them and lead to balding. In worst cases, kerbs can cause a puncture or blowout, leaving the driver with no option but to replace the tyre. To increase the lifespan of your tyres, try and drive and turn corners leaving enough distance from the kerb.
When parking, it can be tempting to bump over the kerb to get your car into a small space. While this might seem harmless at the slow speed, it can contribute to damage and we’d recommend avoiding this.
Reduce car load
Are you a boot crammer, a car hoarder? Whatever you want to call it, keeping an excessive load in your car can seem like a good storage solution at the time, but you could actually be reducing the lifespan of your tyres. Emptying the car of all unnecessary items will reduce the overall weight and strain on your tyres, meaning that they will be able to run for longer. If you aren’t sure about the load capacity of your tyres, this is indicated on the sidewall with the size.
This is sometimes unavoidable, so if you’re planning on driving with extra passengers or a heavier load, then it is a good idea to reinflate your tyres to compensate for the extra weight.
While these factors should be considered when maintaining your tyres, it all starts with the right tyres. Investing in a reliable set of tyres is always recommended in order to get the most for your money. Opting for a leading brand such as Dunlop, ensures that you are receiving premium quality for affordable prices. For more safety and tyre maintenance tips, make sure to check out the ASDA Tyres blog.