How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Your car’s tires won’t last forever, but the proper care and maintenance can help you get the most out of them. Maximizing tire life starts with avoiding excessive wear, keeping up with routine tire services, and having your tires checked periodically by a professional. At New Carlisle Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, we want to help you keep your tires in top shape so you can drive safely in Dayton! Learn more about how to make your tires last longer in our guide below, and visit our service center when the time comes to replace your tires.

Tread Wear & Tire Life

Different tread wear patterns indicate different issues with your vehicle. When you schedule tire service in Springfield, a technician will inspect your tire treads. Tread wear patterns can say a lot about issues with your tires, or your vehicle itself:

• Center Wear: The tire is probably overinflated. Check your owner’s manual for the correct PSI.
• Cupping Wear: Cupping wear is a diagonal scalloping of the tire. This indicates a serious issue with the suspension system, and you should bring your vehicle in for an inspection without delay.
• Edge Wear: Underinflation is likely the culprit if your tires show edge wear.
• 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.
• Patchy Wear: If the tread wear on your tires is showing up in patches, you likely need wheel balancing service.

How to Ensure a Long Life for Your Tires

Update your regular maintenance schedulewith these tips, and your tires will surely get a long life. Tires can lose up to a pound per square inch of air pressure each month, so you should be sure to:

• Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly. It’s best to keep car tires 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.

Safety Tips for Driving On a Spare Tire

A spare tire is a lifesaver when you need it, but spares have limits in terms of the speed and distance you can drive on them. In the event that you need to replace a blown tire with a spare while out on the road in Huber Heights, how long you can drive on a spare tire will depend on its type:

• 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.
• 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.

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.

Schedule Your Next Tire Service at New Carlisle Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram

Whether you’d like tips on ensuring a long life for your tires or have questions about your vehicle’s regular maintenance schedule, the service center at New Carlisle Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram 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 to New Carlisle more affordable. Contact us to learn more about tires and tire life today!