How Long Should My Tyres Last?

Does the time to buy new tyres come around sooner than you were expecting? For some, car tyres are not something you often give a second thought to once they have been fitted on your car, until it’s time to replace them.

Have you ever stopped to consider how you might ensure that you are getting the best tyre life from your investment?

While there is no definitive answer to how long particular car tyres last, the important thing to know is that there are things that you can do to ensure that you are getting the best longevity out of your tyres.

Are My Driving Habits Affecting Tyre Life?

The types of terrain you typically drive on, your driving habits and how you load your vehicle will all have an impact on tyre life.

Terrain: Those living in rural areas with rugged and rough terrain may find that their tyres don’t last as long as those of someone who drives predominantly on highway terrain. The distance you typically drive each day for work and other activities will also influence tyre life - those who have a long commute will clock up more kilometres in their car and may find they need new tyres sooner.

Driving habits: If you find yourself driving in frequent stop and start traffic, or you have habits that include sudden braking, sharp cornering and aggressive acceleration you may find that these will result in reduced tyre life.

Vehicle Load: How you load your vehicle can also contribute to tyre wear. It is important to take the time to ensure that the weight of your load is evenly distributed. An overloaded vehicle is likely to have a negative impact on the life of your tyres if tyre pressures are not adjusted to suit the load.

What can I do to maintain my tyres?

There are certain things that you can do to ensure that you are getting the most out of your tyres. Tyre maintenance includes:

Checking and adjusting your tyre pressures:
This should be done each month. Ensuring that your tyres are inflated to the correct air pressure can greatly improve tyre life, safety and performance. You can locate your tyre manufacturer’s recommended air pressures in the owner’s manual or the vehicle placard, which is typically located in the door jamb on the driver’s side.

Make sure your tyres are cold when checking and adjusting tyre pressures and whenever possible, use a quality tyre pressure gauge.

If you regularly drive with a heavy load in your vehicle, your ‘standard’ tyre pressure may need to be adjusted to compensate.

Sticking to the recommended tyre rotation schedule:
Marks & Wallings recommend that you have your tyres rotated every 10,000 kilometres or every 6 months (whichever comes first). The front and rear tyres on your vehicle are subject to different operating conditions, by rotating the tyres from one fitment position to another in a systematic way helps to achieve uniform tyre wear. This can assist in prolonging the life of your tyres.

Maintaining proper wheel alignment:
You can avoid unnecessary wear on your tyres by having a wheel alignment whenever you have new tyres fitted to your car, 4WD or SUV. You will also find that vehicle manufacturers typically recommend that you have a wheel alignment completed once a year. To truly maximise the life of your tyres, a wheel alignment is best done in conjunction with a tyre rotation.

Should I buy quality tyres?

Did you know that when properly cared for and maintained, a quality tyre can save you money in the long term? This is because quality tyres typically offer greater tyre longevity as they are produced from more advanced rubber compounds.

At Marks & Wallings we only supply and fit tyres that meet the ADR (Australian Design Rules) standard to ensure the safety, performance and durability of your new tyre purchase. Our range of tyres include leading brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Kumho and Maxxis. Reputable brands such as these spend a significant amount of time testing their tyres across a range of road surfaces, in all kinds of weather, to ensure their safety, performance and durability.

If you are looking to buy new tyres in West Ryde, or the surrounding areas, including Ryde, Eastwood, Gladesville and Epping, come in and see us at 940-946 Victoria Rd, West Ryde or give us a call on (02) 9807 1000.

Our experienced team can discuss with you what your needs are to find the best tyre for your car, 4WD or SUV. We can also assist you with your next tyre rotation and wheel alignment to ensure that your current tyres are properly maintained, keeping you safe on the roads and helping to maximise tyre life.