How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Unfortunately, tires don’t last forever — and how you treat them determines how long they’ll last. To make your tires last longer and to get those long-life tires you want, you’ll need to take certain precautions, including having them checked periodically among other things. At Fisher Acura, we want to help you keep your tires in top shape. Learn more about the ways you can lengthen the tread life of your tires below, and be sure to visit our parts center in the event they need replacing.

What Causes Tire Tread Wear? 

Different tread wear patterns indicate different issues with your vehicle: 

• Inner & Outer Tread Wear: Also known as “toe wear” or “camber wear,” excess wear on the inner or outer part of the tire often points to tire misalignment. 
• Center Wear: The tire is probably over-inflated. Check your owner’s manual for the correct PSI. 
• Edge Wear: Underinflation is likely the culprit. 
• Cupping Wear: Cupping wear is a diagonal scalloping of the tire. This indicates a serious issue with the suspension system, and you should schedule a service appointment without delay. 
• Patchy Wear: If the tread wear on your tires is showing up in patches, they’re likely out of balance and it’s time to see a mechanic. 

Tips for Getting Long-Lasting Tires 

Get the most out of your tire investment by incorporating the following into your regular maintenance schedule: 

• Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly – Tires can lose up to a pound per square inch of air pressure each month. It’s best to keep them at the correct levels using your Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). In the winter, they could lose more and the summer will cause them to gain more. 
• Rotate Your Tires Every 5,000 Miles – Tires don’t wear evenly, especially if you have a model with all-wheel drive. Rotating the tires allows the ones working the hardest to take a break.
• Get Your Tires Balanced – After your tires are rotated, make sure to have them balanced. If the weight is distributed to one wheel more than the other, this could also create uneven wear.
• Check the Vehicle Alignment Twice Yearly – If your wheels are misaligned, they’ll wear out a lot faster. This is easy to notice as the steering wheel may shake. This can happen over time, or if you hit the edge of a curb or a pothole. Be sure to watch for the signs.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

If you find yourself in a situation where a tire is damaged, it’s crucial to know how long you can drive with a spare tire. You’ll want to identify what type of spare tire you have to determine how long you can drive:

• Full-size spare tire: You may safely drive with this tire, but get it changed as soon as you can as it is not likely the same brand as your other tires, which can cause damage over time.
• Space saver or “donut” spare tire: Drive no longer than 70 miles and don’t exceed 50 mph.
• Run-flat spare tire: If your vehicle has run-flat tires instead of an extra spare, you can drive about 50 miles after the tire is punctured.

Regardless of which type of spare tire you have, you’ll want to get the tire replaced as soon as possible after it’s damaged.

Have Your Tires Checked at Fisher Acura

Whether you need new tires or simply want to keep up with the maintenance of your current ones, one of the service centers at Fisher Acura can help. When you’re ready to bring your vehicle in for a service appointment, be sure to check out our service specials to make your trip more affordable. Contact us today!