DID YOU KNOW?

TIRE REPLACEMENT…

The life of a tire depends on a number of different factors, some having to do with the quality of tire and some having to do with the quality of care. Typically, each manufacturer will list how long its tires last on the labels. Carefully pay attention to these labels as it may be that a few extra US Dollars per tire will get you an additional 15,000 or 20,000 miles (24,000 or 32,000 km).

Typically, tires last anywhere between 25,000 and 50,000 miles (40,000 to 80,000 km). There are a number of variables that must be taken into account, however. These include road, weather, and driving conditions. Also, some simple maintenance may be able to increase how long tires last by as much as 50 percent, so a tired rated at 50,000 miles (80,000 km) may be able to go 75,000 miles (120,000 km).

One of the easiest ways to make sure tires last as long as possible is by keeping them properly inflated. Not inflating tires properly puts stress on areas of the tire that are not meant to receive as much stress. Also, it causes the tire to become hotter than it normally would, as it has more contact with the road surface for longer periods of time. Therefore, the structural integrity of the tire is likely to break down much quicker than it would with normal inflation Bald tires are tires which have been so worn down that they have almost no tread. Since tread is what helps tires grip the road, bald tires can be extremely dangerous. Ideally, tires should be replaced before they are truly bald, for optimal safety. Driving with good tires is also easier, and you may notice a marked improvement in vehicle handling after you replace worn tires.

Tires will gradually wear down over the course of routine use. Some things will cause tires to wear down more quickly, such as aggressive driving or steering and alignment problems. The United States Department of Transportation recommends that drivers check their tires every month and before a long trip to ensure that the tire tread depth is safe. In addition, motorists should use a pressure gauge to check the inflation level of their tires, as underinflated tires are dangerous, especially if they have low tread as well.