4 Tips to Help Your Tires Last Longer

Though we regular consumers may not think about it often, the transportation industry is a huge part of what drives our economy. Without the millions of vehicles on the road or working the land, the food we eat and clothes we wear would never make it to our homes. Thanks to three million U.S. farmers, our produce keeps growing. Thanks to the 500,000 reefer trailers in the country, all of that produce stays cool and fresh on its journey to the supermarket.

Clearly, we rely on vehicles. When something goes wrong with our own car, our entire week can be disrupted. One all-too-common vehicular malfunction is tire complications. From blowouts to slow leaks, when something goes wrong with your tire, your entire car can be rendered useless until it’s fixed.

Whether you work in the transportation industry or are just another motorist on the road, keep life running smoothly by protecting your vehicle’s tires. To help your tires last longer and remain in their best condition, try following these four smart tips:

1. Slow Down

One of the easiest ways to help your tires last longer is to establish better driving habits. Driving at high speeds, accelerating too quickly, and stopping too suddenly can all cause unnecessary damage to your tires. These habits create greater friction against the road, which heats up your tread and causes the surface to warp and wear prematurely. And, since driving only 1 km/h (.62 mph) slower would lead to a 2–3% reduction in road crashes, better driving habits will keep you safer on the road, too.

2. Check Tire Pressure Monthly

Even brand-new, high-quality tires can deflate slowly over time. Use a tire pressure gauge to check each tire’s inflation about once a month, and inflate or deflate accordingly. A tire can lose about one pound of pressure per square inch a month, so chances are, you’ll have to add a little air each time you check. Maintaining the proper air pressure is a simple step that can prevent blowouts, improve vehicle handling, and in general extend the life of each tire.

3. Check Tire Alignment Twice Every Year

Over time, your tires can shift so that they point at an angle that’s slightly different from the direction of the car’s motion. If you notice that your steering wheel is “pulling” towards the left or right, your tires could be out of alignment and getting an alignment service should be your priority. Improperly aligned tires can wear especially fast since one side of the tire’s tread experiences more pressure than the other side. A mechanic can adjust the way your tires are mounted to correct the alignment and help your tires last longer.

4. Get Your Tires Rotated Every 5,000 Miles

In two-wheel drive vehicles, only the front or back two wheels actually propel the car. As such, these tires experience greater friction and tend to wear faster over time. To prevent your tires for wearing out early, you can have the tires rotated to a different position on your car. A mechanic will simply take off the tire and move it from the front to the back, or vice versa. They might even use some type of lubricant from a wholesale industrial lubricant supplier, like WD40, to prevent corrosion. By rotating your tires every 5,000 miles, you’ll ensure they wear at the same rate so that you don’t have to buy new tires a minute too soon.

We may not think about it often, but without tires, our economy and lifestyle would come to a screeching halt. Whether you’re a truck driver or just a parent running errands, ensure that your week runs smoothly by caring properly for your vehicle’s tires, and going to a tires retail shop to get a new set when it is due time to do so. Follow these four tips, and your tires will better avoid blowouts, slow leaks, and general wear and tear to last your family much longer.