Your vehicle’s tyres are a critical safety component, making proper tyre maintenance essential for both prolonging their service life and ensuring safety on the road.
But just how long do tyres last?
Factors Affecting Tyre Ageing
The debate about when to replace tyres ranges from every 10 years to exceeding 40,000 kilometres.
What’s clear is that with proper care, you can extend a tyre’s lifespan and delay the need for replacements.
Several factors influence a tyre’s service life, including the type of vehicle, its power, the rubber compound used, and even the driving habits of the person behind the wheel.
Understanding Premature Tyre Wear
As you drive, the tread on your tyres naturally wears down. Here are some factors that can accelerate this wear and tips on how to prevent it:
1. Weather Conditions
Tyre wear often results from exposure to elements like heat, sunlight, and rain. Storing your tyres indoors can help extend their lifespan.
2. Vehicle Weight
Heavier vehicles tend to wear out tyres more quickly.
Overloaded tyres can overheat, leading to premature wear and even blowouts. Always check the maximum tyre load rating on the sidewall.
3. Driving Style
High speeds, aggressive cornering, and abrupt braking can significantly increase tyre temperature and wear.
Maintaining a more conservative driving style can help preserve your tyres.
4. Position
Tyres on driven wheels typically wear out faster. In a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the front tyres wear faster than the rear ones, while in rear-wheel-drive cars, it’s the opposite.
5. Pressure
Proper tyre pressure is critical. Underinflated or overinflated tyres wear out more quickly.
Underinflated tyres tend to wear on the outside edges of the tread, while overinflated tyres wear down the middle, affecting stability.
Regularly check and maintain the recommended pressure.
6. Alignment
Poorly maintained shock absorbers and incorrect wheel alignment settings can cause uneven and premature tyre wear.
If you notice excessive wear, consult a technician for alignment adjustments.
7. Road Conditions
The state of the road can also impact tyre lifespan.
Factors like excessive heat buildup or varying surface textures can lead to significant reductions in tyre longevity.
It’s crucial to remember that tyres have an expiry date. After a certain point, their components deteriorate, compromising road safety.
As a general rule, avoid using tyres that are more than ten years old, whether they are in use or have been stored for an extended period.
If you’re concerned about the age and condition of your tyres, you can use our dealer locator tool to find the nearest tyre shop affiliated with Tayaria for professional guidance and inspection.
