Tyre Maintenance Guide

Every part of your car has a certain lifespan. We all know that the tyres used in our car start to wear down from the day-one itself. The rate of wearing, however, can be minimized by taking good care of the tyres. The way we drive our car also matters a lot in determining the rate of wear and tear.Plus, the road conditions also play a significant role here. But, how long should our car tyres last? Well, almost every car or other vehicle manufacturer recommends their customers to replace the tyres after every 5 years, regardless of tread depth available on them.

This is because car tyres usually have a shelf-life of 5 years. After this period the rubber compound hardens and tyre fails to offer adequate amount of traction.

It is important that you must get the tyres checked by the experts from time to time. Once in a year, the tyres should be thoroughly inspected by a professional. To help you understand more about the factors that lead to more damage to the tyres, let us point out a few of them.

The physical factors

We all know that tyres are made up of rubber and other materials. Rubber being the major constituent, it is expected that the tyre will start losing its durability after a few years. Even if your car spends most of the time inside the garage, you still cannot expect the tyres to last for more than 5 years, 6 tops.

The other physical factor is the wear and damage caused to the tyres. When you drive your car through rough patches, the sharp objects on the road cause a lot of damage to the sidewalls. When you apply brakes on such roads,particularly in a sharp way, the damage caused can be even severe. As a result, the outer layer of the tyre starts losing its toughness. In such conditions, the tyres may not last even up to 5 years. Hence,you need to be very careful when driving your car through the potholes, speed bumps, kerbs, and sharp objects.

Climatic conditions

Yes, the climatic condition of a place also has an effect on the physical condition of your car’s tyres. Extreme temperature conditions can bring down the durability of the tyres and reduce their tread life. Places that receive snowfall or rainfall in huge quantity can be a little bad for the longevity of the tyres. When you drive your car mostly on the wet roads, the tyres’ treads tend to wear down at a much faster rate.

Likewise, constant exposure to the sunlight (particularly in hot conditions) can increase tread-wear. Friction between tyres and road causes tyres to heat up.This is why you must give the tyres some rest when driving too long on the highways. Long drives make the tyres hot, which in turn cause the air inside to expand. When the hot air inside a tyre expands, it inflates the tyre and reduces the size of the contact patch. This is why it is better to use nitrogen in our car’s tyres. It keeps the tyre pressure within a more stable range.

Driving habits

Smooth driving has many advantages; you get more fuel economy and the tyres also remain in good condition for a long time. When you press the accelerator or the brake pedal all of a sudden, it put more stress on the tyres.Aggressive cornering and sudden braking can damage the sidewalls of the tyres.

Some car owners do not pay attention to the minor changes they notice in handling or ride quality. It is important that you do not take such things lightly.Such kind of changes could occur due to a minor defect in the tyres,or due to their misalignment. When such issues are left unattended for long, they cause even more damage to the tyres. So, next time if you notice any change in handling (such as vibration or noise or vehicle being dragged to one side), you must consult an expert immediately.

Improper usage

Mixing the tyres in the right way is also essential to ensure their durability. When you mix tyres that do not have the same load index , speed capability and tread pattern, then the combination proves to be detrimental for the longevity of the tyres.Likewise, when the size of the wheel and rim, are not compatible with each other, it can also affect the life of the tyres.

Conclusion

So, those were some of the major factors that determine how long the tyres will last. In addition to them, there are a few more you things need to keep in mind. When you buy tyres for your vehicle, you must consult with an expert, and keep his suggestions in mind. Also, regular care of your tyres. Adequate air pressure, timely wheel balancing and wheel alignment and periodic tyre rotation can increase the tread life of tyres.