Every car owner wants their auto to be at the peak of its shape and performance. That’s why they make sure that every part of it is properly checked; from the engines to brakes and especially to the thing that makes cars move: the wheels.
We all know that the way you drive contributes significantly to the life of your tyres. But a serious question that every car owners might ask: how long should tyres last? How do I keep my tyres in good shape? While you can extend your tyre lifespan by avoiding burnouts, there are other effective measures you can put in place.
What Does A Healthy Tyre Look Like?
In a healthy tyre, you will find a good visible tread, with wear spread evenly over the surface. A good tyre will not have any visible cracks or crazing on the side wall or in the tread grooves.
Do I Need To Replace My Tyres?
A simple method to determine whether your tyre is due for a change is to check the depth of the tread. There is a tread indicator built into all car tyres, which is moulded across the tyre, towards the base of the grooves of the tread. If the tread is worn down close to the indicator, or the tread is less than 2mm, it is approaching the legal limit. Hence, the tyre is due for a change. In this condition, the tyre will perform less efficiently, especially when the weather is wet.
During servicing your local mechanic will check the state of your tyres. If in any doubt, ask!
How Long Should Tyres Last?
It is impossible to determine on how long should tyres last before wearing out – no exact number of months or years. There are just too many variables. The most popular warranty span adopted by several tyre manufacturers is five years for manufacturing and material defects, although experts believe that tyres should not be used for more than six years. This is due to the accumulated effects of elements like sunlight, air, and water which wears the rubber present in the tyres, thus taking its elasticity away.
How many kilometres should a car tyre last? The average distance a car tyre should travel before being due for replacement is 40,000 km according the the NRMA, although some tyres may travel twice as far. In addition to the distance travelled, other contributory factors to the wearing of a tyre include the age, climatic conditions, and driving style.
How Can I Extend My Car Tyre Lifespan?
In tyres, the chances of wear and tear are significantly increased by the following:
- Bad driving. Burnouts, fast cornering and braking, and other unusual driving tricks will contribute to the wearing and tearing of your tyres. Driving at high speeds increases heat in your tyres, and ultimately wear them out.
- Travelling longer distance. Frequent long distance driving without periodic tyre maintenance can hurt your tyre.
- Not rotating tyres. Tyres wear faster placed at the front of the car vs the rear because of the steering movement. The best way to avoid this is to rotate the tyres’ positions, such that no tire stays too long at the front wheel.
- Irregular Tyre pressures. Low or high tyre pressures wear your tyres unevenly. Regularly check the pressure in your tyres with your own gauge.
- Overloading – Putting excess loads on the tyres wear them down faster.
Car Maintenance & Tyre Lifespan
Your tyres will last longer when you engage in proper maintenance of the car. For instance, when you park your car under a shed, the UV rays coming from the sun are blocked from reaching the rubber in your tyre. Likewise, ensure that the tyres are wearing similarly. If not, rotate them, including the full-sized spare. Switch the front tyres for the rear tyres, and vice-versa, after every 10,000 km. You should also get a wheel alignment done when purchasing new tires or if the front tyres wear unevenly.
Good driving habits and car care will extend your car tyre lifespan and save you money!
