How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Your tires are responsible for carrying a heavy load…both literally and metaphorically. So they need some extra care and attention to make sure they can meet your needs and expectations. Tire punctures and blowouts happen to the best of us. Tires also only last about 60,000 – 80,000 miles, on average, so you will naturally need to replace them at some point in time. Quality tires aren’t cheap, so we’ve provided some tips on how to make your tires last longer, so you can enjoy the best value possible.

Tire Pressure

An underinflated tire can waste gas, cause unsafe driving conditions, and make your car work harder. An overinflated tire is also dangerous and can lead to a blowout. Fortunately, maintaining the perfect tire pressure is simple, affordable, and can pay off huge in the long run.

Invest in an affordable, quality tire pressure gauge so you can easily find out when your tires need air. Fill up just to the recommended pressure for the tire, which you can find on the tire itself or in your owner’s manual. Some vehicles are even equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which will display a warning light on the dash when the tire pressure is low.

Visit your local gas station for a pumping station to fill up your tires for less than $1. Make sure to check your spare tire at least once a season just to make sure it is in good shape and properly inflated, in case you need it in the near future.

Tire Wearing

The wearing on the outside edge of the tire can become worn down quickly. Keep the tire tread at 4/32” of an inch, minimum, to maintain traction. One quick way to check this is by holding a penny in the tread groove. If you can see all of Abe’s head, then it’s time to replace your tires. You can also look at the wear bars and if the raised molding inside the groove is even with the top of the tread, then your tires are in bad shape.

Tire Rotation and Proper Alignment

Have your tires rotated during every other oil change, or about every 6,000 – 8,000 miles. This will help wear the tires at an even rate. While you have your tires rotated, have your mechanic check the tire and wheel alignment and balance as well. An unbalanced wheel can make your vehicle bounce, leads to faster wearing, and can make the tire slam into the road, causing vibrations.

Drive Smoothly

Things like sudden stops, fast cornering, and riding the brakes can wear down your tires and your vehicle. Try avoiding road hazards, potholes, and stray items, like glass, nails, metal, wood, and plastic debris on the road, which can puncture or damage your tires. New potholes and road hazards tend to appear after a rainy day, so drive especially carefully after winter weather conditions.

Good tires can only go so far. If your vehicle is beyond repair, contact Messy Motors at 888-309-1049 and we will pay cash on the spot for your junk car.