How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Maintenance is important, but sometimes certain car parts get overshadowed by others. It’s common knowledge to change your oil and have a routine maintenance regimen on your engine. We can’t forget about other parts of the car that allow us to drive safely on Toms River roads! Tires don’t last forever, but by taking proper care of them they can certainly be a reliable car part for a long time. Remember that how you treat all parts of your car will determine how long it will last. Learn more about the lifespan of tires with Automotive Avenues. 

What Causes Tire Tread Wear? 

Part of what determines your tire health is the tread. It will tell you everything you need to know about how long the tire will last. Different tread wear patterns indicate different issues with your vehicle: 

• Inner & Outer Tread Wear: Also known as “toe wear” or “camber wear,” excess wear on the inner or outer part of the tire often points to tire misalignment. 
• Center Wear: The tire is likely over-inflated. Check your owner’s manual for the correct PSI and let out extra air if necessary. 
• Edge Wear: Underinflation is likely the root cause. Check the side of your driver’s door for the correct PSI and inflate your tire at your local gas station.
• Cupping Wear: Cupping wear is a diagonal scalloping of the tire. This indicates a serious issue with the suspension system, and you should schedule a service appointment without delay. 
• Patchy Wear: If the tread wear on your tires is showing up in patches, they’re likely out of balance. Take your car to a mechanic so they can get your balance correct. 

Tips for Getting Long-Lasting Tires 

To increase the lifespan of your tires, there are a few things you can do. These maintenance tips will keep you on Trenton roads for a longer period of time: 

• Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly – Tires can lose up to a pound per square inch of air pressure each month. It’s best to keep them at the correct levels using your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). In the winter, they could lose more and the summer will cause them to gain more. Your local gas station will likely have an air pump for your tires that you can use. 
• Rotate Your Tires Every 5,000 Miles – Tires don’t wear evenly, especially if you have a model with all-wheel drive. Rotating the tires allows the ones working the hardest to take a break. This can be done during your routine maintenance service. 
• Get Your Tires Balanced – After your tires are rotated, make sure to have them balanced. If the weight is distributed to one wheel more than the other, this could also create uneven wear.
• Check the Vehicle Alignment Twice a Year – If your wheels are misaligned, they’ll wear out a lot faster. This is easy to notice as the steering wheel may shake. This can happen over time, or if you hit the edge of a curb or a pothole. Be sure to watch for the signs.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

You may be in a predicament where you need to use your spare tire. This is not a bad thing, but you’ll need to replace it sooner rather than later. It’s not good to rely on a spare tire for an extended period of time. That time period is going to depend on the type of spare tire you have: 

• Full-Size spare tire: You may safely drive with this tire, but get it changed as soon as you can as it is not likely the same brand as your other tires, which can cause damage over time.
• Space saver or “donut” spare tire: Drive no longer than 70 miles and don’t exceed 50 mph.
• Run-flat spare tire: If your vehicle has run-flat tires instead of an extra spare, you can drive about 50 miles after the tire is punctured.

Have Your Tires Checked at Automotive Avenues

Congratulations! You now know how to make your tires last longer. That means you’ll spend more time on Howell Township roads. You have the tools to have long-lasting tires. Contact us if you have any additional questions about the lifespan of your tires. We look forward to helping you soon, whether you need new long-life tires or a simple tire rotation, Automotive Avenues is your source for service advice!