Automobile Tire Maintenance
You can’t really say there’s a contest between what part of a car is most important. Pretty much every part is equally important. But if a part of your vehicle is especially profound in its importance, it’s your tires.
Without functional, safe tires, you aren’t going anywhere. That’s why they need to be kept in as best condition as possible. Not only do good tires keep your car on the road, but they keep your car on the road safely—for your sake and the sake of other drivers.
That brings in the question, how often should you replace your vehicle’s tires?
A typical set of tires usually lasts between four and five years or between 60,000 and 75,000 miles. Some tire manufacturers claim longer lives; some manufacturers offer lesser-quality products and don’t last as long.
Here are some things to consider when determining when it’s time to replace your tires.
Your Vehicle Type
What you drive makes a difference.
Trucks and SUVs weigh considerably more than sedans and compacts. In addition, if your vehicle isn’t equipped with the proper tires, the tires you have on will wear out faster than expected.
Some vehicle models, for whatever reason, tend to be harder on tires than others. Check with auto review sites and consumer reports for any special notes regarding tire wear and tear with your model vehicle.
Driving Style
The more you drive, the more wear and tear you’re putting on your tires, and the sooner they’ll need to be replaced. And it’s not just how far you drive, but what kind of driving you’re doing.
Are you regularly hauling heavy loads? Does your commute have a lot of stops and starts? Are you dealing with a lot of speed bumps or potholes? Do you have a long daily commute? All of these can be contributing factors to your tires’ health.
If you think any part of your driving style may be adding extra wear to your tires, plan on having to replace them more often than if you were driving under more general conditions.
Local Conditions
Tire wear can vary based on where you live and the terrain on which you drive. Cold temperatures mean lower pressure in your tires, resulting in underinflation, flats, and, ultimately, unsafe driving conditions. High temperatures mean hot surfaces and increased friction between your tires and the road leading to inflation, cracking, and more wear.
Maintenance Routine
How well you take care of your tires is a huge factor in how long they’ll last. Proper tire maintenance includes:
- Checking tire pressure every month.
- Rotate your tires regularly. Consider doing this every 6,000 miles or so.
- Be sensitive to your wheels’ balance and alignment. Unbalanced and unaligned wheels can cause uneven wear and shorten tire life. Bring your vehicle in for professional balancing and alignment if this seems it may be an issue.
- Inspect your tires’ treads. Worn-out treads can affect stopping distance and road traction—both of which can contribute to car accidents.
- Conduct a regular visual inspection of your tires for damage or signs of aging. Any irregularities should be treated as a warning to get those tires replaced before they fail on you while driving.
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Our goal is to help you extend the life of every part of your vehicle—tires included. That’s where our routine maintenance and minor auto repair services can help.
Whatever your vehicle needs, call us and schedule an appointment today for all your routine maintenance, tune-up, and repair needs.