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Repair Topics > Tires > How many miles do tires last?

How many miles do tires last?

How many miles tires last depends on five factors

Tire rubber compound determines how many miles tires last

Tires with higher treadwear ratings last longer because they’re made from a harder rubber compound, along with special silica additives that improve traction. Those tires generally cost more than tires made with a softer rubber compound.

Drivetrain design is a factor in determining how many miles your tires last

Tires on a front-wheel-drive (FWD) car generally wear tires faster. That’s because they not only move the vehicle but also carry the weight of the engine and transmission in addition to performing all the steering and most of the braking. If you own a FWD vehicle, you should rotate your tires according to the tire or car maker’s recommendations to even out the wear on all four tires.

The tires on rear-wheel-drive (RWD), four-wheel-drive (4WD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) tend to wear tires slightly less than FWD drivetrains.

Road conditions and terrain are a factor in determining how many miles your tires last

Paved roads are much easier on your tires than gravel and dirt roads. Gravel especially tends to damage the tread block on your tires, causing imbalance and accelerated wear. Also, driving in hilly or mountainous areas causes accelerated tire wear due to the much higher traction loads on the tread while climbing and descending steep roads.

Your driving habits are a factor in determining how many miles your tires last

Jackrabbit starts and heavy braking will affect how many miles tires last

Tire pressure, alignment, and shock/strut maintenance affect how many miles tires last

Running your tires in an over/under-inflated condition will cause accelerated tire wear and greatly reduce how many miles your tires last. Mis-alignment issues like camber and toe dramatically reduce how many miles tires last. Finally, worn shocks and struts greatly reduce how many miles your tires last

How to get more miles from your tires

1)      Keep them inflated to the pressure listed on the placard located on the driver’s door or pillar. See this post for more information on tire over/under inflation. See this post for more information on why the correct tire pressure is critical to get more miles from your tires.

2)      Rotate your tires every 5,000 miles to even out the tire wear. For more information on why tire rotation is so important, see this post

3)      Have your tires rebalanced and check for shock/strut wear if you notice vibration or steering wheel shake at highway speeds

See this post to learn when it’s time to buy new tires

See this post on the best places to buy new tires

©, 2020 Rick Muscoplat

 

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat

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