Good tyres are not cheap. And the days of getting a good set for a couple of hundred quid are in the past. With this type of investment, you need to know how to extend the life of them. Next time you buy, the tyre shop will probably tell you how long the tyres should last, but you might not experience that mileage figure unless you take some steps. Remember that the car works together as one machine, so the condition of the tyres may be caused by everything except the tyre.
Tyres
It is never a good idea to buy the cheapest set of tyres available. You get what you pay for. You may not have the financial ability to buy top-of-the-line tyres, but quality has much to do with how long they will last and better tyres will offer a much more stable ride. The cheapest tyres may only last you one year if you are lucky, which means you will need to buy another set. The money spent every year could have been spent one time on a good set and would have ended up saving you some cash in the long run.
Air Pressure
Every tyre has an optimal amount of pressure that it should have. The maximum pressure a tyre can safely hold will be stamped on its sidewall. But this is not the amount of pressure that you should have in it. And remember, the weather will affect the pressure. In winter your tyres will lose some air. And in summer their pressure will go up. It is also common for a tyre to lose an average of one psi for every month that it is driven on. Luckily for you, most tyre centres will check your tyres for free, and adjust them as needed.
Tyre Inspections
A tyre can tell you a lot about a car. For instance, if you are out looking for used Toyotas for sale, crouch in front of the car and look at it. If the tyre has uneven wear marks it is a good indication of something being wrong. Maybe it just needs a simple alignment, but it could be any number of things, including suspension or steering issues. You should be able to see how the camber and caster are. A tyre that is bald on the outside tells you that there is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Tyre Rotations
You were told this when you purchased your tyres, but it is often good to have your tyres rotated every 5000 miles. If you feel energetic you can tackle the task yourself, or your garage will do it for you. Make an appointment with them to have it done so you do not end up spending your day waiting around for them to squeeze it in before they close.
Suspension
This was touched on earlier, but you need to check your suspension parts from time to time. If you have a ball joint that is bad it will affect how the car drives, which in turn affects the tyires on the car. If you are unsure how to do these checks, you can professional mechanic do a safety inspection of your car. They will tell you if anything is wrong, and they will be able to fix any issues that do come up.
The best ways to prolong the life of your tyres can be summed up in one sentence. Check your tyres on a regular basis, and repair anything that is not working correctly. Tyre wear and car maintenance go hand in hand. When the tires are not wearing correctly it is a finger pointing to a problem. It may just be the lack of proper air pressure, but it may be a broken crossmember that could endanger you and your entire family.
