Road safety: six tips to extend the life of your tires

Have a constant concern for taking care of your tires can save you a lot of trouble. First, and most important, of not have an accident due to a breakage or an unforeseen change in a situation of force majeure. Another solution is given in the economical: with a good maintenance, the rotation of the same is prolonged in time. Probably with these two examples it is enough to know how important the prevention we have to have with the tires is.

Beyond some safety concerns, a report from Goodyear in Europe released six simple tips that will help your tires last longer, consume fewer natural resources and generate less waste.

1. Check the inflation

A simple check is to periodically check the tire pressure. They lose it over time and insufficient inflation can damage them. It is best to check at least once a month and always before fully loaded trips. Although many vehicles are now equipped with electronic tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), inflation must also be controlled manually using a pressure gauge.

How do you know which is the correct pressure? Usually pressure values ​​can be found in a vehicle manual. There are indications based on charge level and speed. Some models also have it inside the fuel cap or on the driver’s door socket.

2. Inspect the tread

A simple periodic visual check of the tire tread, as well as the pressure, ensures that the tires are in the best condition. How do we do this? Look at the “ribs” between the straps, as well as the center or outer edges for obvious signs of wear or any object that may have become encrusted.

3. Rotation

Usually Tires installed on the front axle of a vehicle wear differently than those on the rear, but by changing their position, front to back and vice versa, the service life can be maximized. Although not valid for all vehicles, rotating the tires is one way to lengthen their condition. How do you know when to rotate them? Rotation times vary, but if you frequently drive at high speeds or make long trips or at full load, more regular rotations are recommended. If you see uneven tread wear, it may also indicate a need for rotation.

4. Alignment and balancing

If when you check your tire for wear, you find it to be uneven, it can also indicate more serious tire alignment or balance issues. Correct wheel alignment allows tires to last longer.

How can I identify it? If your vehicle drifts to the side or if the steering wheel is off-center when driving in a straight line or if it vibrates, these are obvious signs of misalignment and body roll. It should be borne in mind that if uneven tire wear is not corrected, it compromises the efficiency of the tires.

5. Improve your driving habits

Good habits also reduce the need to buy new tires frequently. A smooth and neat driving style, avoiding road imperfections, benefits the service life and guarantees its best performance. On the contrary, accelerating, braking hard and driving aggressively put the tires at risk.

6. Recycle and reuse

In Europe, more than 3 million tonnes of end-of-life tires are collected each year for recycling or reuse. So when you think they can’t be used anymore and you need new tires, be sure to dispose of elders responsibly, to give them a chance to live a second life.

Debunking the Myths How Long Do Tires Last?

Michelin claimed in a report that Tires do not expire, they do not have an expiration date and their lifespan will depend on the conditions of use to which they have been subjected.

The DOT date is the date of its manufacture and is not directly related to its “age”. What matters when calculating the age of the roof is its date of installation. Studies in South Korea and Germany conclude that there are no differences in performance between newly manufactured tires compared to those stored for three years.

Thus, it is during use, when the tire is subjected to stresses and high driving conditions (weather, ground, shocks, constant stresses) and to other conditions which do not exist during storage. Therefore, a tire ages considerably once it is installed on vehicles.

Once fitted, beyond visual and pressure checks, it is only after five years of running that the tires must be thoroughly examined by a specialist. This check should be done once a year until replacement, beyond mileage, and as long as your tread grooves are not less than 1.6mm deep (which would confirm end of life).

Likewise, when it reaches ten years from its date of manufacture, Michelin recommends replacing the tire, regardless of the mileage, visual appearance or maintenance. This suggestion is preventive and has no technical basis, since it is practically impossible to know all the stresses to which the tire has been subjected.

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