How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Posted on June 16, 2016

When you car is brand new, it drives like a dream. From a short cruise through Overland Park or a family trip to see the in-laws several states over, a new car has that soft, responsive feel and a firm grip on the road with those new tires. Over time, those road trips get noisier. You spin your Acura’s wheels accelerating from a stop light, even when you don’t mean to. You just don’t feel like you have the same control as you used to. It’s common to blame it on your steering or suspension, although it probably isn’t. Your tires are quite often the culprit. As the tire tread wears down, several things happen:

  • You have less grip on the road.
  • The sipes don’t channel water out of the tread efficiently.
  • Noise-reducing tread patterns wear down and are less effective.
  • Road-cushioning rubber is worn away for a harsher ride.
Tire wear happens. Your tires will require replacement sooner or later, but they don’t come cheap. If you want to prolong their life as much as possible, there are some actions you can take.

Check your tire pressures regularly

Make tire pressure checks part of your regular routine. Whether you set apart a few minutes once a week or every time you fuel up your car, it’s one of the best ways to get the most out of your tires. If your tires are over or under-inflated, they will wear abnormally, significantly reducing their life. Not only will your tread wear away quickly, you’ll be spending extra money on fuel. Just 5 PSI low on pressure can cause up to 5% extra fuel costs.

Rotate your tires

To even out your wear and prolong the life on your set of tires, they should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Without tire rotations, the tires on your drive wheels will wear away quickly while the others might be good as new. Uneven tire wear can be potentially dangerous if you’re driving your Acura in wet or snowy weather. You may have great acceleration from your two good tires but horrible steering control from your two bald front ones. You could be mistakenly confident and get yourself into driving danger.

Detail your tires

Dry rot is a common problem in cars that are parked outside in extreme temperatures and in vehicles that don’t get a lot of use. It’s those tiny cracks between the tread blocks and the sidewall and causes that graying look on your tire. Dressing your tires with high-quality tire cleaner and conditioner whenever you wash your car will prevent dry rot from forming. It also maintains that deep black color, just like when they were new.

Drive responsibly

If you drive your car like you stole it, don’t expect your tires to last nearly as long as the manufacturer’s rating. Hard braking, hard acceleration, and hard cornering shred the rubber right off. Your Acura is capable of handling it but you don’t like buying new hoops, do you? If they are already worn, keep these tips in mind for your next set. Jay Wolfe Acura is the best place in Kansas City to buy your new set of tires and to have your tire maintenance performed, whether you drive an Acura or any other make.