Every car owner wants their auto to be at the peak of its shape and performance. That’s why they make sure that every part of it is properly checked; from the engines to brakes and especially to the thing that makes cars move: the wheels.
We all know that the way you drive contributes significantly to the life of your tires. But a serious question that every car owner might ask: how long should tires last? How do I keep my tires in good shape? While you can extend your tire lifespan by avoiding burnouts, there are other effective measures you can put in place.
What Does A Healthy Tire Look Like?
In a healthy tire, you will find a good visible tread, with wear spread evenly over the surface. A good tire will not have any visible cracks or crazing on the side wall or in the tread grooves.
Do I Need To Replace My Tires?
A simple method to determine whether your tire is due for a change is to check the depth of the tread. There is a tread indicator built into all car tires, which is molded across the tire, towards the base of the grooves of the tread. If the tread is worn down close to the indicator, or the tread is less than 2mm, it is approaching the legal limit. Hence, the tire is due for a change. In this condition, the tire will perform less efficiently, especially when the weather is wet.
During servicing your local mechanic will check the state of your tires. If in any doubt, ask!
How Long Should Tires Last?
It is impossible to determine how long should tires last before wearing out – no exact number of months or years. There are just too many variables. The most popular warranty span adopted by several tire manufacturers is five years for manufacturing and material defects, although experts believe that tires should not be used for more than six years. This is due to the accumulated effects of elements like sunlight, air, and water which wears the rubber present in the tires, thus taking its elasticity away.
How many kilometers should a car tire last? The average distance a car tire should travel before being due for replacement is 40,000 km, although some tires may travel twice as far. In addition to the distance travelled, other contributory factors to the wearing of a tire include the age, climatic conditions, and driving style.
How Can I Extend My Car Tire Lifespan?
In tires, the chances of wear and tear are significantly increased by the following:
- Bad driving. Burnouts, fast cornering and braking, and other unusual driving tricks will contribute to the wearing and tearing of your tires. Driving at high speeds increases heat in your tires, and ultimately wears them out.
- Travelling a longer distance. Frequent long distance driving without periodic tire maintenance can hurt your tire.
- Not rotating tires. Tires wear faster placed at the front of the car vs the rear because of the steering movement. The best way to avoid this is to rotate the tires’ positions, such that no tire stays too long at the front wheel.
- Irregular Tire pressures. Low or high tire pressures wear your tires unevenly. Regularly check the pressure in your tires with your own gauge.
- Overloading. Putting excess loads on the tires wears them down faster.
Car Maintenance & Tire Lifespan
Your tires will last longer when you engage in proper maintenance of the car. For instance, when you park your car under a shed, the UV rays coming from the sun are blocked from reaching the rubber in your tire. Likewise, ensure that the tires are wearing similarly. If not, rotate them, including the full-sized spare. Switch the front tires for the rear tires, and vice-versa, after every 10,000 km. You should also get a wheel alignment done when purchasing new tires or if the front tires wear unevenly.
Good driving habits and car care will extend your car tire lifespan and save you money!