Tyres
constitute one of the most important safety features of a vehicle. That’s why correct
tyre maintenance is vital, not only to extend its service life, but also to
ensure safety within the vehicle. But how long do tyres last?
What factors increase tyre
ageing?
Some might
argue that tyres should be replaced after 10 years, others say that the life
cycle of a tyre can exceed 40,000 kilometres. What is clear, however, is that with the right
maintenance, a tyre’s service life can be extended and replacement can be
delayed.
A tyre’s
service life depends on several factors such as the vehicle type, its power,
the rubber compound, and even the driver.
As you
drive, the tread on your tyres starts to wear, so here are some factors that cause
premature tyre wear and some tips on how to prevent it:
Weather
conditions
Tyre wear
usually comes from exposure to elements such as heat, sunlight, and rain, so
your tyres will last longer if they’re kept indoors.
Vehicle
weight
Tyres on
heavier vehicles tend to wear faster. Also, overloaded tyres can overheat
which, in addition to premature wear, could lead to a blowout. That’s why it is important to check
the maximum tyre load rating on the sidewall.
Driving
style
Driving at
high speeds, as well as aggressive cornering and braking speeds up wear, since
it increases the tyre’s temperature.
Position
The driven
wheels wear faster, which means that if it´s a front-wheel-drive, the front
wheels will wear faster than the rear ones, and on a rear-wheel-drive, it will
be the opposite.
Pressure
When it
comes to tyre wear, pressure is key, since under or over inflated tyres will
wear quicker. When a tyre’s pressure is too low, the outside edges of the tread
will start to wear earlier, whereas when it’s over-inflated it will wear down
the middle of the tread, causing the vehicle to lose stability. For that reason, you should always
check the tyre’s pressure and always keep it inflated to the pressure
recommended by the manufacturer.
Alignment
Poorly maintained shock absorbers and wrong wheel alignment parameters can cause premature and uneven wear of the tyres. So, if you notice excessive wear, you should ask your technician for an alignment adjustment.
Road
conditions
Road conditions can also determine how long a tyre lasts. Some elements such as severe heat build-up or the stress caused by varying surface textures can cause a significant reduction in a tyre’s lifespan.
Despite all
the above, you should bear in mind that tyres should not be used for too long,
as they have an expiry date after which their components lose their qualities,
which can also have a very negative effect on road safety. Therefore, as a
general rule, avoid tyres that are more than ten years old, either in use or
new tyres that have been stored for that long.
If you are worried about the age of your tyres and if they are still road worthy, you can use our dealer locator tool to find your closest tyre shop from Tayaria.
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