Introduction
The tires are responsible not only for rolling the vehicle on the road but also for its fuel efficiency, overall performance, and safety. In addition, these can be a significant expense for drivers. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that Americans spend about $20 billion annually on tires. This enormous amount could be optimized through at least 5 methods that would extend the tires' life while ensuring better value for money and optimal safety and vehicle performance. This section teaches you how to do this correctly. Let's take a closer look at the 5 steps to make your tires last longer.
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
1.1 The Importance of Correct Inflation
Tire pressure is one of the most crucial aspects for various reasons. First of all, it ensures the even distribution of the body's weight, which reduces uneven tread wear. Secondly, the correct pressure maintains the tire's intended shape, which promotes optimal handling and road contact. According to NHTSA studies, too low tire pressure cuts tire longevity by about 25%.
1.2 4-Step Guide on How to Check Tire Pressure
Maintaining the pressure recommended by the manufacturer will extend your tire's lifespan and optimize its performance. Here is a quick 4-step guide to ensure proper tire pressure:
- Opt for a reliable pressure gauge that you always have at hand
- Measure tire pressure when cold (about 3 hours after or before driving)
- Remove the valve cap and press the gauge firmly onto the valve stem
- Make sure that the tire pressure after adjustment coincides with the norms recommended by the manufacturer
1.3 Frequency of Pressure Checks
Industry specialists encourage pressure checks at least once a month and every time before starting long trips. It is natural for the tires to lose some pressure for various reasons (osmosis, weather changes). Checking and adjusting pressure is a must if the TPMS indicates pressure drops.
Rotate Your Tires Regularly
2.1 Understanding Tire Rotation Patterns
Tire rotation involves changing the position of the tires on the same axle or between axles. The process is usually done by a qualified technician and can involve various rotation schemes depending on the type of vehicle and tires. Here are some common rotation schemes to consider:
- FWD vehicles + same-size tires: Front tires go straight back while the rear ones go to the front;
- RWD vehicles: rear tires go straight forward while front ones go crossed to the rear;
- 4WD vehicles: follow the pattern for whichever drive type your vehicle uses most often
2.2 Optimal Rotation Frequency
Drivers are encouraged to rotate their tires about every 5,000-8,000 miles, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Yet, it is important to take into account the recommendations of your vehicle manufacturer because some cars require more frequent rotation (high-performance cars, for example).
2.3 6 Benefits of Regular Rotation
Studies show that regular tire rotation increases their longevity by up to 20%. Here are at least 6 benefits of this procedure that will help you get the most out of your tires:
Align Your Wheels
3.1 Signs of Misalignment
Pay attention to the following signs as they may suggest a potential wheel misalignment:
- Uneven or rapid tire wear
- Squealing tires
- Vehicle pulling to one side while driving on a straight road
- Crooked steering wheel when driving straight
You contribute to reducing the life of your tires if you ignore these symptoms. A qualified specialist will help you align the wheels so you don't postpone the appointment at a technical center.
3.2 How Often to Check Alignment
Specialists in the field recommend aligning the wheels about once every 12,000 miles. For example, the Car Care Council encourages alignment once a year or at 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. In addition, this procedure is welcome every time you hit a severe pothole or curve, especially if the vehicle shows the symptoms mentioned above.
3.3 Impact on Tire Wear
Ignoring timely wheel alignment leads to a series of adverse effects such as poor handling, traction issues, drop in fuel efficiency, and especially uneven tire wear. Tire life is reduced by about 30% in the context of a wheel misalignment. Regular alignment, on the other hand, ensures the even distribution of the vehicle's weight as well as the correct position of the wheels on the road. Consequently, tire rolling resistance and premature tire wear are significantly reduced. Check out the main disadvantages of wheel misalignment below:
Practice Good Driving Habits
4.1 Avoiding Sudden Starts and Stops
Aggressive driving generates too much stress and heat build-up on your tires. Regardless of whether it is about aggressive braking or acceleration, both accelerate premature tire wear. In addition, they increase fuel consumption. The U.S. The Department of Energy states that aggressive driving is likely to lower gas mileage by 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. This impact on fuel consumption is also accompanied by uneven tire wear.
4.2 Maintaining Proper Speed
Faster tire wear and potential blowouts can also be expected with driving at high speeds. Ignoring tire load and speed ratings puts an exaggerated effort on the tires dramatically increasing the temperature in them. Industry specialists encourage drivers to refrain from high speeds not only for legal but also for safety purposes. This will also extend the tire lifespan for longer serviceability.
4.3 Navigating Road Hazards
We encourage drivers to be cautious of road hazards that also contribute to reducing tire lifespan. It is about debris, potholes, and curbs that can damage the tires if the driver is not vigilant about them. Always opt for good road surfaces, if possible. If they are unavoidable, at least reduce speed and drive over them with maximum caution.
Conduct Regular Tire Inspections
5.1 What to Look For During Inspections
A regular tire inspection helps you detect in time the signs that lead to a potential tire failure. We recommend inspecting at least once a month when you should observe the following:
- Uneven wear patterns: These could indicate alignment or inflation issues
- Tread depth: Use the Penny Test (insert a penny into the tire tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time to replace the tire right away)
- Cracks, bulges, and cuts in the tire sidewall
- Foreign objects stuck in the tire tread
5.2 When to Replace Tires
Many industry specialists, including the Tire Industry Association, encourage tire replacement once the tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. We recommend changing them even earlier than this limit for safety reasons. Pay attention to your tires' built-in tread wear indicators (if any) as they will inform you when it's time for replacement.
5.3 Professional vs. DIY Inspections
We strongly encourage you to have your tires professionally checked in addition to DYI tire inspections. Qualified specialists are trained to spot issues that might not be visible to regular drivers. Spotting them at early stages will help you take preventive measures so they don't get worse.
Conclusion
These 5 simple but extremely important steps can contribute to extending the life of your tires. They will significantly contribute to optimizing the expenses as well as the performance of your vehicle. Don't forget that tire maintenance is not only about tire longevity; it is primarily about your safety wherever you drive.
Tire Service Life: FAQs
How Can I Extend My Tires' Life?
The life of your tires can be extended through simple techniques that you should constantly take into account. Their serviceability depends on several factors as follows:
Can A Tire Really Serve Up To 80,000 Miles?
Most tires are covered by a warranty, with some offering an 80,000-mile warranty. This means that the manufacturer guarantees the tire's performance for this specific distance. In case of a defect within the 80,000-mile limit, the manufacturer commits to repairing the damage or replacing the tire.
However, the drivers need to fulfill their responsibilities in maintaining the tires. This includes adhering to regular tire rotation, alignment, balancing, and adopting a safe and non-aggressive driving style. Failure to meet these responsibilities could result in the manufacturer canceling the warranty and denying coverage for any damages.
What Are Some of The Most Long-Lasting Tires?
From our experience, here are some tires with impressive mileage:
- Firestone Destination A/T2: SUV/CUV/Passenger LT/Pick-Up all-terrain tire;
- Toyo Open Country A/T III: A/S/Winter/SUV/CUV/PAssenger LT/Pick Up all-terrain tire;
- Falken WildPeak A/T Trail:All-season, SUV/CUV All-terrain tire;
- Yokohama Geolander M/T G003: SUV/CUV/Passenger LT/Pick Up mud-terrain tire;
- BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3: mud terrain tire;
- General Grabber X3: mud-terrain, light truck tire;
- Michelin CrossClimate2: SUV/CUV/Passenger tire;
- Michelin Defender LTX M/S: SUV/CUV/Commercial/ Passanger LT tire;
- Continental CrossContact LX25: SUV/CUV/Passenger LT tire;
- Michelin XPS Rib: Van/LT/Commercial tire;
- Michelin X-Ice Snow: Winter, SUV/CUV/Passenger tire.
Why Trust NeoTires?
NeoTires goes beyond being just a tire sales platform. Our team of enthusiasts and professionals is dedicated to not only offering various attractive tire deals but also helping drivers enhance their driving performance while ensuring top-notch safety.
We conduct thorough testing, comparison of performance levels, and rigorous checks on tires in various conditions to provide an independent, unbiased, and objective assessment. Our team includes technical and mechanical specialists with extensive experience in the tire and automotive industry, as well as meticulous testers who carefully evaluate tire performance through various experiments.
Our content writers compile validated information from our technical specialists and tire industry professionals to deliver the most reliable tire reviews, driving tips, and essential tire knowledge.
With our unwavering dedication to rubber and road safety and our extensive industry experience and research, we are a trusted ally for those seeking tires or reliable tire-related information. Drive safe and choose your tires wisely!
