4 Ways to Extend the Life of Your Tires

As tires are the parts of a vehicle that come into direct contact with the road, it is extremely important that you look after them. Luckily, doing so is not difficult or time-consuming. Here are a few easy steps you can take to both ensure your safety on the road and boost the longevity of your tires. 

1. Correct Tire Pressure Is Key

One of the most important steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your tires is to check that they are inflated to the correct pressure. To find out what the recommended pressure for your tires is, look for a sticker on the driver’s door jamb or consult your car’s driver’s manual. Tires that are either over- or under-inflated will cause increased wear and tear and can also negatively affect your safety on the road.  

Over-inflated tires become deformed due to too much air pressure, causing them to lose traction and wear excessively along the center tread. If your tires are constantly under-inflated, however, too much of the tires’ surfaces come into contact with the road, which causes over-heating, excessive wear and tear, and possible blowouts. Consider purchasing a quality digital tire pressure gauge to ensure you’re getting a good read from your tires. 

2. Make Smart Driving Choices

Although it may be fun to drive fast or do clever maneuvers with your car, it’s important to remember that the more you push your vehicle, the more wear and tear you’ll cause. Reckless driving can easily damage your tires and cut their lifespan short. Avoid performing the illustrious doughnut maneuver, for instance, or any other adventurous driving habits. Also, be mindful when you take turns so that you don’t hit curbs, as this can be a death sentence for your tires’ sidewalls. In short, drive the way the driving schools suggest you should drive, even if it may be less exciting. 

3. Have Your Alignment Checked

If you notice that one side of your tire is becoming more worn out than the other, consider taking your car into a mechanic shop to have the alignment checked. Properly aligned tires will have natural wear and tear spread out over their entire surfaces rather than on one side. The longer you drive with misaligned tires, the more quickly your tires will deteriorate and possibly even blow out. 

4. Have Your Tires Rotated

That said, one edge of your tire may be experiencing more wear and tear than the other because of the way your car’s body is positioned or how hard you may be taking turns. Have your tires rotated to even out this sometimes unavoidable lopsided wear and tear and to get the most out of your tires’ lifespan. A good rule of thumb is to have your tires changed every 6,000-8,000 miles. 

If you are already following these rules, you’re getting the most out of your tires. If not, add these simple steps to your car maintenance routine to save money on your tires and boost your vehicle’s health.