Tyres are a very important part of any car. Tyre tread is the only touch point between the car and the road. The tyre is also responsible for both transfer of power as well as steering and braking inputs. Hence, they have to bear a lot of loads and are subject to constant wear and tear.
In most small cars, tyres should last a minimum of 60,000 to 70,000 km before requiring replacement.
We at CARS24 inspect thousands of used cars each month and do come across numerous examples of uneven tyre tread. Here are the main reasons that you can avoid for ensuring a longer tyre life:
1. Under Inflation Can Cause Higher Depletion Of Tyre Tread:
Filling less than recommended air pressure is a common cause for uneven tyre tread. If the tyre is under inflated, it will lead to more pressure on the sides than the middle of the tyre. Hence, if you notice that the tyre is wearing out from the ends and not the center, this means you are running the car with less than recommended pressure.
2. Over Inflation Can Cause Higher Depletion Of Tyre Tread:
Filling in more air than recommended will lead to marginal rise in fuel economy. However, it will also have an adverse effect on the tyre life. High tyre pressure will lead to more load on the center of the tyre, leading to uneven tread pattern. This can also increase the probability of a puncture as the tyre rubber becomes thinner from the center part. Incase you do have a puncture, here's our guide on how to repair a punctured tubeless tyre. Also, refer to the owner’s manual for the correct tyre pressure you need to keep for your car.
3. Incorrect Wheel Alignment:
Regular wheel alignment very important. Correct alignment takes care of three vital things – camber, toe and caster. These are very important parameters and can affect tyre life to a large extent. A wrongly done alignment can lead to any the following problems:
- Improper wear from the sides
- One tyre wearing out faster
- Tread of the tyre developing ‘saw teeth’ or ‘feather’ pattern and so on.
In the long run, this can also lead to a bumpier ride quality. Hence, it is recommended that you get the tyre alignment done every 10,000km.
4. Damaged Suspension:
A damaged suspension part can lead to that particular side’s tyre wearing out faster. The tyre will not spin in the right way and will not be in sync with the other three tyres in terms of rotating vertically. If you have doubts on a particular tyre wearing out abnormally, get the suspension checked at an authorized workshop.
5. Improper Rotation:
Every car manufacturer recommends tyre rotation during each scheduled service. Tyre rotation helps each tyre to go through various load factors, thereby ensuring even wear in the long run. All four tyres are subject to different pressure points and loads depending on their location, hence, by rotating them at regular intervals, we can safely expect them to have the same wear and tear over a prolonged period of time. This includes using the spare wheel as well. By following these simple steps, you can prolong the life of the tyres significantly.
Remember, investing into a new set of tyres is a costly exercise. For example, a set of four tyres for a SUV like the Mahindra XUV will set you back by as much as Rs 45,000.
At the same time, avoid using tyres that have less than 1.6mm of tread depth left as this can lead to loss of traction, especially on wet roads. To read more such interesting maintenance tips, continue to our car advice section.
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