How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Tires can be quite expensive, especially if you drive an SUV. One way for our Sarasota drivers to mitigate the costs of tires is to practice gentle driving tactics. Take a moment to read our tips on how to get a long life out of your tires, and even improve your fuel economy in the process! Then, if you’re in need of new tires, check out our service specials and get in touch with Cox Mazda in Bradenton!

What Causes Tire Tread Wear?

If you’re curious about how to make your tires last longer on Tampa streets, it’s helpful to know how to identify different types of tire wear, so you can adapt your driving and prevent tread wear issues before they arise. The primary types of tire wear include:

• Center Wear: This likely indicates that your tire is overinflated. You’ll want to find the correct PSI in your owner’s manual, and then, deflate your tire to the correct pressure.
• Patchy Wear: If wear is showing up on your tire in patches, you have wheel balancing issues, and you should consult a mechanic.
• Edge Wear: If your tires are underinflated, you’ll wear out the edges of your tire.
• Inner & Outer Tread Wear: If your tire is experiencing both inner and outer tread wear, your tires are likely misaligned. This is also called “camber wear” or “toe wear.”
• Cupping Wear: This type of wear indicates serious suspension system issues that should be dealt with immediately. Its hallmark is diagonal scalloping.

How Can I Get Long Life Out of My Tires?

• Inspect Tire Pressure Monthly – Your tires will lose up to a pound of air pressure per square inch each month. In the Winter, they could lose even more pressure. In the Summer, they can gain pressure. Make sure you learn the correct PSI for your tires and monitor PSI each month to ensure they’re properly inflated.
• Rotate Tires Every 5,000 Miles – Your tires won’t wear evenly. If you drive FWD, your front tires will wear faster. RWD? Your rear tires are taking a beating. If you drive AWD, it’s total chaos. Rotating your tires ensures that all your tires wear evenly, improving their lifespan, as well as the efficiency of your torque distribution.
• Balance Your Tires – Have your tires balanced as well to ensure that uneven weight distribution isn’t creating uneven wear.
• Inspect Vehicle Alignment Every 6 Months – Your suspension’s alignment can become warped over time —often from hitting potholes or backing up over curbs. Have it inspected each time you come to our garage.

Need Tire Replacement or Care Near Palmetto?

Now that you know how to make your tires last longer, if you’d like to have your tires inspected, or you’re in need of tire replacement, give the Cox Mazda service center a call at (941) 749-2790. We’ll walk you through our selection of long-life tires and help you find the perfect sizes for your model! In the meantime, take a moment to explore our service tips for other helpful reads, including our overview of how to check tire tread depth!