Five simple ways to make your tyres last longer

Tyres are the only part of a car that actually touches the road. Their condition affects not only safety and grip, but also how much you spend on tyres over the life of the car.

Getting an extra few tens of thousands of kilometres out of a set of tyres can save a significant amount of money, and it does not require any complicated maintenance. A few simple habits can make a noticeable difference.

Rotate your tyres regularly

The front and rear tyres do not wear at the same rate because they are subjected to different loads and steering forces. Regular tyre rotation helps spread the wear more evenly across all four tyres.

As a general rule, rotating the tyres every 10,000km or so can help keep wear under control and extend the life of the set.

It is also strongly recommended to have the wheels balanced after each tyre rotation. As tyres wear, their weight distribution changes. Rebalancing the wheels helps prevent steering-wheel vibration or other shaking that may appear at certain speeds.

Keep your tyre pressures in check

Keeping the tyres evenly worn is only part of the equation. Correct tyre pressure is just as important.

Under-inflation increases friction around the edges of the tread and can cause the tyre to run hotter than it should. Over-inflation, meanwhile, can accelerate wear in the centre of the tread and reduce grip.

Make a habit of checking your tyre pressures once a month when the tyres are cold. When topping them up, always follow the manufacturer's recommended pressure shown on the vehicle's B-pillar door placard.

Avoid aggressive driving 

Maintenance is important, but the way you drive has a major effect on tyre life too.

Try to avoid hard acceleration, heavy braking and taking corners at high speed. Aggressive inputs can put large amounts of lateral force through the tyres, accelerating tread wear.

The same applies to rough roads. Slow down before going over speed bumps or through potholes to reduce the impact on the tyres and avoid damaging the internal cords, which can lead to bulges or other structural damage.

Avoid turning the steering wheel while stationary

There is another small habit to watch out for when parking or manoeuvring: avoid turning the steering wheel for long periods while the car is stationary.

With the tyres planted firmly on the ground, turning the steering wheel puts unnecessary friction and twisting forces through the rubber.

If possible, let the car roll slowly while turning the steering wheel instead. This reduces the amount of local stress placed on the tyres.

Choose your parking spot carefully

Tyre ageing is not only affected by how the car is driven. How it is parked also matters.

Whenever possible, avoid leaving the tyres exposed to strong sunlight for long periods. UV exposure can accelerate rubber ageing and cracking, particularly in hot weather.

It is also best not to leave the tyres resting against a kerb for extended periods, as this can put concentrated stress on the sidewall and cause local deformation.