How about spending a hefty amount on tires after every 4-5 years? No one would like that! If you drive around 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year, chances are that your vehicle’s tires will wear down too quickly, and investing in a new set will cost a lot. Therefore, executing new ways to extend the lifespan of tires is necessary.
Wondering how to make tires last longer? There are multiple ways to do so, such as checking the tire pressure regularly, performing wheel balancing and alignment, tire rotation, and overall inspection of tires’ structural elements, such as tread patterns, side walls, and more. This guide will unfold every factor that contributes to extending tire tread life. So let’s dive in.
Since tires are more than the basic treaded pattern rubber, there is a science behind extending the lifespan of tires. We’ll explore each method in detail, which will not only help you extend the tire’s age but also improve safety while driving.
One of the easiest ways to prevent tires from ageing quickly is to check the air pressure regularly. Under or over-inflated tires can not only cause irregular wear and tear but can also ruin the fuel efficiency. As per the survey of the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA), one out of 11 crashes are caused due to tire-related issues.
Most of the newer vehicle models come with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which checks and displays the air pressure in all the tires of a vehicle and generates an alarm when the pressure gets too low. As soon as the alarm rings, you must check and rectify the issues to prevent tire damage.
Driving with flat tires is another reason why your vehicle’s tire gets damaged quickly. When you drive a vehicle with tires in a deflated or completely flat condition, the rim will damage the structural elements of the tire. Not only will it shred the inside lining of the tire, but it will ruin the tread patterns, reducing the overall lifespan of tires.
Moreover, when you drive a large distance with a flat or deflated tire, the side walls will crack due to excessive vehicle load and hence will bear irreversible damage.
Misalignment of a vehicle’s tire refers to a situation where the tires either get toed-in (pigeon-toed) or get toed-out (duck-toed). You must be wondering how to check if wheels need to be aligned and what misalignment has to do with the tire’s life. Here’s how:
If you’re driving the vehicle on a straight road at a constant speed and notice that the vehicle is actively pulling or drifting to a side or the steering wheel vibrates— there are fair chances that the wheels need alignment. Misaligned wheels can damage the tires due to excessive wear and tear and can also irregularly chew the tire tread. Sometimes, the friction on one side of the tire exceeds due to being misaligned, and the tire bears permanent damage that cannot be repaired anymore.
Therefore, it’s advised to check the wheel alignment every 6 months or 6,000 miles to increase the lifespan of tires and prevent permanent damage.
Alignment refers to the adjustment of wheel angle while balancing, which involves applying weights to the rim (inside and out) to keep it balanced. Excessive vibration in a vehicle while driving at 60 to 70 Miles per hour is a clear sign that the wheels need balancing. Unbalanced wheels can cause premature wear and tear of tires and damage to the tire treads as well.
Make sure to check the wheels’ balance alongside alignment to prevent damage to the tires and increase their lifespan.
Do you know that all the tires in a vehicle do not experience the same level of friction and workforce? In front-wheel drive (FWD) and rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles, only one set of tires apply the force and get worn out quickly compared to other vehicles. However, it doesn’t mean that the All-Wheel Drive (AWD) will experience even wear and tear, as the front set of tires will still experience tough conditions. In this scenario, the front set of tires will bear more damage than the rear ones and will need replacement sooner.
It’s recommended to rotate the tires after every 5000 miles to even the wear and tear process on all tires. Tire rotation can be done in various ways, such as forward cross, rearward cross, x pattern, and side to side. No matter what the tire rotation pattern is, it will increase the overall lifespan of tires.
Driving responsibly is not only necessary to avoid tire damage and extend the tire’s life but also to improve the overall safety on the road. It is important to avoid potholes, as these can damage the rubber lining of the tires and can also crack the side walls due to heavy impact. Moreover, if you’re driving on asphalt roads, it’s recommended that you avoid skidding and drifting, which can cause abrasions and damage to the tread pattern.
Last but not least, avoid excessive braking and acceleration of the vehicle. Whenever you apply breaks, the tires will experience tension/force due to friction with the uneven road surface, which can ruin the tire tread pattern in no time.
You cannot control the road quality, uneven surfaces, or potholes, but you can improve your driving habits and follow the precautionary measures to extend your tire’s life. There are multiple reasons why the tire gets damaged, including over or under-inflation, driving a long distance with a flat tire, and misaligned or unbalanced wheels. It is recommended to follow certain practices to extend the lifespan of tires and also ensure overall safety on the road.
Reference:
Choi, E-H. (2012, April). Tire-Related Factors in the Pre-Crash Phase. (Report No. DOT HS 811 617). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
