Every vehicle requires regular maintenance to stay safe on the roads, and one of the most important parts of that maintenance is the tyres. Your tyres are the only thing between the car and the road, which makes them one of the most vital pieces of equipment on any vehicle. It’s also essential for safety and fuel economy.
Although you can’t put an exact figure on the shelf life of a tyre, there are many things that we know affect their longevity. This includes the quality of the tyre itself, the road conditions it’s used on, and how well it’s looked after. Taking good care of your tyres can help you get a bit more wear out of them. Here’s how.
Quality Tyres
First things first, your tyres are going to last longer if you have quality tyres in the first place. Not all tyres are made the same. Different manufacturers will use different materials and manufacturing processes. The quality of the materials used, and the way premium tyres are made means they are far more likely to last longer than cheaper alternatives.
That’s also why it’s good to use the same brand on all four of your tyres, otherwise, they will wear at different rates.
Choosing the right tyres for your vehicle and for your driving style will really have an impact. Your car will benefit from the added grip and performance of a premium tyre from the likes of Bridgestone. Also, some tyres are optimised to reduce rolling resistance, like the Bridgestone Ecopia range. This tyre minimises friction between the tyre and the road, which improves fuel economy.
Tyre Pressure
Having the correct tyre pressure not only affects how well your tyres perform but also how long they last. Underinflated tyres cause a slight dip in the middle of the tyre, which results in the outer edges wearing more rapidly than the rest of the tyre. If tyres are overinflated, the tyre’s ‘contact patch’ is reduced, causing more rapid wear to the centre of the tyre. The contact patch basically refers to the area of your tyre that is in contact with the road.
It’s recommended that you check your tyre pressure monthly, to ensure incorrect inflation is not affecting the wear of your tyres. All cars manufactured after 2014 must be fitted with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), to comply with the law. This essentially monitors tyre pressure for you; however, it can’t always be relied upon to always alert you to changes. That’s why a self-inspection should still be carried out.
Tyre Tread
The tyre tread on your car is a key indicator of the wear of your tyres. It is illegal to drive with a tread depth lower than 1.6mm. However, that does not mean it is safe. Tyres that reach a tread depth of 3mm will deteriorate more rapidly past this point and will significantly underperform in wet conditions. That’s why you should make sure your tread depth is not just legal but is also able to perform well on the roads.
Tyre Alignment
Driving with incorrectly aligned tyres is unsafe for you and for other drivers around you. Also, driving with tyres that aren’t aligned correctly will affect how they wear. They must be aligned at the correct angle as specified by the manufacturer. This makes sure that they wear evenly over time.
Factors which cause tyre misalignment include driving at speed through potholes or bumps in the road. You may be able to spot signs of tyre misalignment while you’re driving such as the car dragging or pulling to one side, steering wheel vibration or scrubbing/squealing noises while driving along at low speeds.
Driving Style
One way you can help your tyres to last longer is to adjust your driving style. Harsh driving will cause your tyres to wear more excessively. So, in order to keep them in good condition for as long as possible, you should avoid:
Harsh acceleration
Sharp braking
Taking corners at speed
Additionally, road conditions will affect how much the tyres wear. So, you should avoid driving on days with harsh weather.
Bumps and Scrapes
Something which often makes tyres unusable on the roads are bumps, scrapes and punctures that are picked up on your journeys. Although sometimes they are unavoidable, you should do your best to minimise the number of bumps and scrapes your tyres take, in order to help your tyres last as long as they can.
A couple of tips include taking extra care when parking and avoiding mounting the kerb unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Weight
When you think about it, your tyres carry a lot of weight. They’re holding the weight of the engine, the chassis and all of the passengers. But you can reduce the load that you’re tyres have to carry by removing unnecessary items from your boot. There is no use in carrying useless things everywhere in your car, as it will only make your tyres wear faster.
Rotation
Different wheels take different levels of use, depending on where they are located on your vehicle. That’s why tyre rotation is one way you can prolong the life of your tyres. Rotating your tyres between the front and rear of your vehicle will help you achieve more even wear, so you can use your tyres for longer. It is always best to contact a professional to rotate your tyres.
Adopting practices such as checking your tyres regularly, and adjusting your driving style, should help you to prolong the life of your tyres. Read the rest of the Asda Tyres blog for more information and advice.