How To Make Your Tires Last Longer

Tires go through a great deal of stress and strain as you navigate Waco, and even the best sets can’t last forever. So, how do you get the most bang for your buck? Learning how to make your tires last longer is easier than you might think, and a little time and effort can pay off in a big way. Find out how to maximize the lifespan of your tires, and be sure to get more service tips and tricks from the experts at Allen Samuels Auto Group!

What Causes Tire Tread Wear?

Not all tread wear is the same, and you can actually learn a great deal about your car’s health from examining the surface of your tires. Here are some common tread wear patterns:

• Inner & Outer Tread Wear: If you see this “toe wear” or “camber wear,” it means that you likely have a tire misalignment issue.
• Center Wear: When only the center of the tire receives the brunt of wear, that means that the tire is probably over-inflated. Check your owner’s manual to find out the correct PSI.
• Edge Wear: If your issue isn’t center wear, but wear solely along the edges, then underinflation is likely the issue.
• Cupping Wear: Diagonal scalloping of the tire is known as “cupping wear.” This is a hallmark of a malfunctioning suspension system, and it requires a trip to the service center.
• Patchy Wear: Patchy wear usually means that your tires are out of balance. A quick tire balance service will get your car back in line.

Long Life Tire Tips

If you want your tires to have a long life, tire maintenance is crucial. The good news is that proper tire maintenance isn’t difficult and it takes very little time out of your schedule. You can even do some of these tasks yourself!

• Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly – Did you know that your tires can lose up to a pound per square inch of air pressure each month? Use your built-in Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to keep tabs on your tire pressure or just pick up an air gauge at the parts department.
• Rotate Your Tires – Tire rotations allow you to even out the wear and tear on your tires, which means the entire set will last longer. Your tire rotation schedule will depend on your drivetrain, so check your owner’s manual for more information!
• Get Your Tires Balanced – Tire rotations go hand in hand with tire balance services. Your technician will evaluate each wheel and adjust it until it rolls in a perfectly smooth line.
• Check the Vehicle Alignment Twice Yearly – Your car can fall out of alignment from hitting just one curb or pothole, and this misalignment can cause big issues. If you want to avoid excessive tire wear, keep up with your alignment services.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

Let’s say you have a flat in Hutchinson or Aransas Pass, and you need to break out your spare tire. Can you drive on it indefinitely? The answer is no, your spare tire has a much shorter shelf life than the rest of your tires.

• • • Full-size spare tire: This type of spare can be driven for a longer period, but not forever. It won’t match your other three tires, so it will likely wear out faster than the rest.
    • Space saver or “donut” spare tire: These compact tires will quickly lose tread, so you can drive no longer than 70 miles at speeds under 50 mph.
    • Run-flat spare tire: Run-flat tires are also easier to damage than full-size tires, so you can only drive about 50 miles before getting your replacement.

Schedule Tire Service at Allen Samuels Auto Group

We’ve gone over the basics on how to make your tires last longer, and if you’re due for a service, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Allen Samuels Auto Group! Contact us with your questions or just schedule your next appointment online. We’d be happy to help.