Wanting your tyres to last as long as possible is a no brainer, especially in the current cost-of-living crisis climate, where replacing car tyres is an expense many would probably rather not have to face! While it would be convenient to have a set formula or timeframe, it’s not possible to predict or guarantee an exact lifespan for a certain set of tyres as there are a wide number of factors involved in how long they will potentially last. However, the good news is that there are some important things you can do to ensure your tyres go the distance as well as signs to help you spot when they need to be replaced.
Driving style, distance travelled, UV and the road’s surface
Did you know that while choosing a quality tyre is an important first step, how you drive (your driving style) can make a big difference to the longevity of your tyres? For example, driving through potholes, hitting kerbs and generally handling a vehicle aggressively (including sharp braking) will all impact your car’s tyres adversely. On the other hand, avoiding kerbs and obstacles in the road and driving smoothly can go a long way to slow down the rate of wear.
The road’s surface can also make a difference over time, with regular driving on coarse, gravel or stony surfaces likely to take their toll on tyres more quickly. It also stands to reason that the more kilometres you drive, the more quickly they will generally wear while UV and high temperatures can also contribute to more rapid wear.
Selecting the right tyre
Tyres are specially manufactured for different vehicles, driving conditions and road surfaces (or other terrains), and are built with the necessary features for those tasks and environments.
With this in mind, it is really important to ensure that you select a tyre to suit not just your vehicle, but where you will be driving as this will make a big difference to its longevity! For example, if you drive a 4×4 vehicle but stay mostly on-road, selecting an all-terrain tyre such as the Maxxis RAZR AT811 would be a better choice than the Maxxis RAZR MT772 in terms of tyre lifespan. By definition the AT811 is an “all-terrain tyre”, so it is specifically designed to go the distance both on and off-road. The MT772 tyre is primarily intended to be driven and to deliver off-road so would not be an optimal tyre choice for mainly on-road driving conditions.
Tyre pressures
Checking tyre pressures regularly may seem like a pesky chore, but ensuring your tyres have the correct pressure (including for heavy loads or when you are towing a caravan, trailer or boat) are essential to the longevity of your tyres! Neither under- or overinflated tyres are good for long-term tyre health and longevity.
Accurately inflated tyres will not only help to reduce the chances of tyre damage and uneven wear, but also ensure that your tyres have the best possible contact with the road, providing you with a safe and stable ride. Tyre pressure is also about optimising your journey and comfort, so it’s really worth taking the time to get this right. In most cases this information can be found on the inside of the driver’s door on your vehicle or in your vehicle owner’s manual.
Keep an eye out for damage and check the tread
Doing a regular visual check of your tyres can help you pick up a nail or other object embedded before it becomes a puncture or flat tyre. A Maxxis tyre dealer can expertly assist with repairs which in many cases can help the tyre go on to last both in time and kilometres driven!
The condition of the tread is also an important indicator of tyre health. In Australia, the minimum legal requirement for roadworthiness of passenger vehicles is 1.5 mm, however it is recommended you have at least 3mm tread on your tyres. Although sometimes you may need a tyre expert using specialised tools to do an exact measurement of your tyre’s tread, you can use the tread indicators (small rubber blocks at intervals across your tyres), to do regular checks yourself. When the blocks are level with the rest of the tyre, your tyres will need to be replaced.
Tyre Rotations
As tyres wear at different rates, rotating them can help them to wear more evenly and extend tyre life. While there is no set time to do a rotation, it is recommended that this is carried out about every 10,000km and usually along with a wheel alignment and balance. This should be done earlier where the tread begins to show signs of wear or the vehicle has hit an obstacle in the road causing vibration to occur. It is important to note that not all front and back tyres are interchangeable – a Maxxis tyre expert can assist with ensuring that yours are suitable to be rotated before going ahead.
How do I know the age of my tyres and how old is too old?
Your tyre’s age is shown on the sidewall by something called the “DOT code”. This code shows the weeks and year that your tyre was manufactured, in four digits (for example 1022 means the 10th week of 2022). While there is no exact expiry date, tyres older than five years (even if they have only driven low kilometres) should be monitored for cracking and other signs of age (in addition to the tread wear).
Choosing quality tyres
Ensuring that the tyres you choose are good quality is a great starting point for their longevity (providing they are driven with care and properly maintained). Maxxis tyres are manufactured and tested to stringent world class standards as well as to ensure their suitability for Australian conditions, with many of them award-winning in their class.
