5 Simple Ways to Make Your Tyres Last Longer

Tyres are an important investment in your vehicle, and a little regular maintenance can go a long way towards getting the best possible life from them.

How long your tyres last will depend on a range of factors including the vehicle you drive, your driving habits, tyre pressures, wheel alignment, the loads you carry and the types of roads you regularly travel on.

For drivers around Warwick, Clifton and the Southern Downs, that can mean everything from highway and town driving to country roads, gravel, farm access and heavier work use.

Here are five simple ways to look after your tyres and help them wear more evenly.

1. Keep Your Tyres at the Correct Pressure

Regularly checking your tyre pressure is one of the simplest things you can do to look after your tyres.

Driving with incorrect tyre pressure can contribute to uneven or accelerated tyre wear and may also affect handling, braking and fuel consumption.

Tyre pressures should generally be checked when the tyres are cold and adjusted to suit your vehicle, tyres and operating conditions. If you’re carrying additional weight or towing, the appropriate pressure may also differ from your normal everyday setup.

Rather than relying on how a tyre looks, use an accurate tyre pressure gauge and refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

2. Have Your Wheel Alignment Checked

Poor wheel alignment can cause tyres to wear unevenly and, in some cases, significantly reduce their usable life.

Some common signs that your vehicle may need a wheel alignment include:

• Uneven wear across the tyre tread
• The vehicle pulling to one side
• A steering wheel that isn’t centred when driving straight
• Changes in steering or handling

Wheel alignment can be affected by everyday driving, particularly after hitting potholes, kerbs or travelling regularly over rough roads.

If you notice unusual tyre wear or a change in the way your vehicle drives, having the alignment checked early may help prevent further unnecessary tyre wear.

3. Rotate Your Tyres When Appropriate

Tyres don’t necessarily wear at the same rate on every position of a vehicle. Steering, braking, drivetrain configuration, vehicle weight and driving conditions can all contribute to different wear patterns.

Where suitable for your vehicle and tyre configuration, periodic tyre rotation can help promote more even wear across the set.

Not every tyre and wheel combination can be rotated in the same way, particularly where vehicles have different front and rear tyre sizes or directional tyres. If you’re unsure, ask your tyre specialist whether rotation is appropriate for your vehicle.

4. Check Your Tyres Regularly for Wear and Damage

Don’t wait until your next tyre replacement to take a close look at your tyres. Regular inspections can help identify problems before they become more serious.

Look for:

• Uneven tread wear
• Cuts, cracks or damage to the sidewall
• Bulges or unusual deformation
• Objects embedded in the tread
• Excessive or irregular tread wear

Pay attention to changes in vibration, road noise or handling as well. These don’t always mean there is a tyre problem, but they are worth investigating.

If you’re unsure about the condition of a tyre, have it professionally inspected.

5. Drive to the Conditions

The way a vehicle is driven has a significant influence on tyre wear.

Hard acceleration, heavy braking and aggressive cornering can all increase the rate of tyre wear. Rough roads, potholes, gravel and unsealed surfaces can also be harder on tyres and wheel alignment.

This is particularly relevant for vehicles regularly travelling on country roads, farm properties and worksites around the Southern Downs.

Driving appropriately for the road conditions and avoiding potholes and road hazards where safely possible can help protect both your tyres and wheels.

A Little Tyre Maintenance Can Make a Big Difference

Getting good life from your tyres isn’t about one particular maintenance task. It’s about keeping an eye on tyre pressure, wear, wheel alignment and the general condition of your tyres throughout their life.

Regular tyre checks can also help identify unusual wear early, giving you an opportunity to investigate the cause rather than simply replacing a prematurely worn tyre.

Need Some Advice About Your Tyres?

If you’re unsure about your tyre condition, pressure, wear or wheel alignment, speak with the team at Ryanie for Tyres.

With stores in Warwick and Clifton, our local team can inspect your tyres, provide practical advice and help you choose the right replacement tyres when the time comes.

We work with everything from everyday passenger vehicles and 4WDs through to work utes, trucks and agricultural equipment across the Southern Downs.

By Locals, for Locals.