Each driver that gets behind the wheel of a car has a different style of driving. Some weave through traffic like speed demons. Other drivers bounce off of curbs cornering or parallel parking. Changing the way that you drive, along with adding a few regular maintenance habits, can make a significant difference in the way your tires wear. We asked a panel of professionals to share the most important factors to consider. Read on to learn more.
John Linden, Interior designer at MirrorCoop from Los Angeles.
Avoid these
When did you last check your tires? Most of us do not pay attention to our tires until we feel that something is off with the car’s handling. It is important to pay attention to one’s vehicle because it prevents expensive damage and potential crashes. [You can] improve the lifespan of your tires by [avoiding these things]:
Not driving regularly or doing a proper tire rotation
You should rotate your tires every few months for them to wear evenly. More importantly, [tires should] not sit idle. An unused tire will rot and begin to crack after some time. The cracks will make those tires unusable.
Braking hard
If your driving style involves flooring the pedal, hitting corners hard, and hard braking, your tread will wear out fast.
Using bad shock absorbers
If your shock absorbers are bad, your tires will bear the brunt of the shocks on the road. This will make your tires wear, and in extreme cases, it can cause them to burst.
Over or under-inflating your tires
If your tires are improperly inflated, they will wear out quickly. An over-inflated tire will wear out its tread in the middle while an under-inflated tire will wear out its thread on the sides quickly. Under-inflated tires also tend to crack. Improperly inflated tires can also cause accidents because they will not grip the road properly.
Driving at slower speed
Extending your tire’s lifespan is a simple yet, at times, tiresome task. Tire inflation can significantly impact how fast the tread wears and [the vehicle’s] fuel mileage. Checking the tire pressure twice a month, or whenever you fill the gas tank, can make the process more habitual.
Driving at slower speeds can also affect how fast the tire tread wears. Higher driving speeds cause more heat to build up in the rubber, breaking down the tire more quickly than at slower speeds. Similarly, taking turns at slower speeds and avoiding skidding on turns also helps the tire last longer. Finally, avoiding hitting curbs, potholes, or road debris can considerably increase the lifespan of the tires.
Eric Holguin, Brand Ambassador at Herrman and Herrman PLLC.
Lauren Fix, Editor-In-Chief at Car Coach Reports.
Not checking your tire pressure
Tires are the only thing that touches the ground. These four tires are critical to handling, braking, safety, and your fuel economy.
The worst driving habit is not checking your tire pressure once a month [to be sure your tires] have the proper tire pressure, which is posted inside your driver’s door. This simple task will give you the best handling, braking, safety, and life out of your tires.
Hitting potholes or parking bumpers will damage the sidewalls of your tires. Avoid potholes and pulling up in a parking spot until you hit the parking bumper.
Burning out when accelerating is a great way to prematurely wear out your tires. Racing should be on the track and not on the street.
Be Gentle on The Gas Pedal
The number one driving habit that wears down your tires is hard acceleration. Each time you mash the gas pedal, it increases the amount of friction your tire surface is subject to. The tire is trying to grab the road while the engine is applying a violent circular force to the wheel. To maintain longevity in your tires, be gentle and smooth when you accelerate from a stop sign or red light.
Julian Goldie, CEO of Goldie Agency.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.
