With the auto industry becoming more competitive, the quality of vehicles and their individual parts are also getting better. Tyres are no exception.
Today's car tyres tend to last longer than those previously and have a lot to do with the quality of your ride, fuel economy, as well as your safety. Of course, this doesn’t mean that monitoring their condition shouldn’t still be a high priority for every driver.
Additionally, it isn't as hard as it used to be to find good information about tyres, both online and in stores. If you're looking for a quality tyre, you can take your time to find an option that closely matches your needs.
The tricky part is it can still be difficult to ascertain exactly how long a set of tyres will last. This is because there are a variety of factors that can impact tyre longevity, and manufacturers are unable to make any definite guarantees. Below are the factors that play a part in tyre longevity.
Driving habits
If you have a tendency to screech your tyres around corners, come to emergency stops without any prompting, or make your tyres spin on take-off, you can rest assured they’ll not last as long as their potential. Improper driving habits will shorten the life of your tyres.
Road conditions and/or terrain will also play a part in tyre wear, so be aware of where you’re driving. If you drive more frequently than others, you can also expect your tyres to deteriorate faster.
Temperature
Temperature has a tendency to affect the air pressure in your tyres. In general, if the temperature outside starts to drop, especially coming out of the summer months, you can also expect tyres to begin to deflate.
This isn't to say that high temperatures are always optimal for your tyres. Any drastic change in temperature can have an impact on air pressure. An increase in temperature will artificially inflate your tyres, while colder temperatures will begin to deflate them.
Air pressure
Contrary to popular belief, your tyres don’t support the weight of your vehicle; the air pressure inside them does. It's a good idea to keep an eye on the air pressure in your tyres and refill them periodically.
As we’ve established, air tends to expand when heated and contract when cooled. This is why temperature can be such a significant factor when it comes to air pressure. But, be aware, your tyres also heat up after driving. The ideal time to measure the air pressure in your tyres is before you make any road trips when they’re ‘cold’.
It’s also possible to overinflate your tyres, so it’s best to keep them at the recommended level and not the maximum level.
Pairing
Old tyres need to be paired with old tyres on the same axel. Likewise, new tyres should be paired with new ones. If your tyres aren’t paired correctly, it may reduce their longevity.
Rotation
How often you rotate your tyres to ensure even tread wear will play a part in their lifespan. Be sure to check with a qualified mechanic or expert to find out when your tyres need to be rotated. If you know how to use a jack and a jack stand, it’s something you can learn to do yourself. However, at some point, tyres will need to be replaced regardless of how often you rotate them.
Loading
How you load your vehicle may play a part in tyre wear. If you habitually load it correctly (making sure that the weight in your vehicle is not lopsided), you’ll encounter fewer issues. Improper loading or overloading will negatively impact your tyres.
Rating
Not surprisingly, the rating of a tyre can be a factor worthy of consideration when it comes to tyre life. This is an indicator of how much weight your tyres can carry, and how fast you can go without it affecting your tyres.
Maintenance
If you keep your tyres adequately maintained keep your tyres adequately maintained, you can expect to save money in the long run. What does this entail? For the most part, all you have to do is make sure the air pressure in your tyres are at an ideal level. This will give you a three per cent increase in fuel economy over tyres that aren’t maintained.
Tyre gauges that measure air pressure are easy to acquire. If you’re wondering what pressure you need in your tyres, you can usually find that information in your manual, in the driver’s door opening, inside the fuel cap, or on the inside of the glove box lid.
What does this all mean?
Generally speaking, tyres nowadays last for about 40,000km. That’s a significant leap over the 32,000km they lasted for in the 1970s. However, it's hard to estimate exactly how long your own tyres will last.
One thing that’s certain is that making an effort to keep your tyres maintained and inflated to the right pressure will help them last longer. What’s more, the quality of your ride will be better, your fuel efficiency will improve, and you’ll also be safer on the road.
