How do you extend the life span of car tires? 🚗

The tyres are considered consumable components which wear out as per the usage. However, there are certain conditions which make tyre wear faster. Any force of tyres which is additional to pure rolling forces make them wear faster. Sudden acceleration and braking, frequent sharp cornering, driving on winding roads and in hilly areas are some of the reasons which accelerate the rate of tyre wear. If the wheel alignment gets out of specification, inflation pressure is too high or too low, tyres are out of balance or the wear rate is aggravated.

To extend the life span of tyres, it is important to drive properly as well as regularly maintain the tyres and the vehicle. Key maintenance of tyres are maintaining correct inflation pressure, wheel alignment, tyre rotation and wheel balancing.

Inflation Pressure- Inflation pressure plays an important role in tyre performance including impact on tyre wear. Always maintain inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Low tyre pressure results in both side shoulder wear and high air pressure results in centre wear. Therefore, it is important to maintain the correct inflation pressure in the tyres. Always check inflation pressure at least once every month and before going for long trips. Proper inflation pressure not only increases tyre life but also results in good handling, comfort and safety, including fuel efficiency. The OE recommended pressure for your car tyres can be checked on driver side door jamb.

Wheel Alignment- Proper wheel alignment is essential to avoid uneven wears on your tyres. Wheel Alignment should be done as recommended by the OEM or whenever any irregular wear or pulling is observed. This helps in optimising driving stability, maximizes tyre life and improves overall vehicle handling performance.

Tyre Rotation- Wear rate varies between different tyre positions. To even out the wear in each tyre and among the whole set of tyres, it is recommended to do tyre rotation as per recommendations by OEM. This helps to have even out the irregular wear and thus extending the life of your car tyres.

Wheel Balancing- An unbalanced wheel may cause vibration to the vehicle as well as results in uneven tyre wear. It is recommended to balance the tyre rim assembly along with tyre rotation or when vibrations are felt. Proper wheel balancing helps in reducing uneven wear thereby extending the tyre life.

By following good driving habits, proper care and maintenance we can increase the life span of car tyres. What also helps is to park the car away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

Source : Bridgestone