How do I make my tyres last longer?

Now more than ever, we’re looking for ways to make our vehicles as economical as possible. But the way to do that isn’t simply finding the nearest and cheapest petrol station.

The tyres on your vehicles are covering miles of road and should be treated with care and driven sensibly, to help stretch the expensive tyre replacement interval even further.

With expert advice from Landsail Tyres, here are a few top tips to make your tyres travel that little bit further…

1) Proactively check your tyre pressure

Although many modern cars have a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to alert drivers when tyres may be underinflated, relying on this alone could be costing you in mileage on your tyres.

Why is that? Well, underinflation causes accelerated wear on the outside of the tread and unpredictable handling, whilst overinflation causes accelerated wear on the inside of the tread.

So, set a diary reminder for once a month to proactively check your tyre pressure.

2) Watch your treadwear

Over the period of time that your tyres are on your car, the rubber tread will of course wear off, but tread damage can also be caused by other factors such as cuts from uneven road surfaces or sharp debris such as stones or glass. If tread damage is left untreated, it may cause premature tyre failure, unbalanced steering, reduced grip and breaking speeds.

It’s important to ensure you check the tread to ensure it’s legal – some simple visual checks for any nails or other debris, as well as the simple 20p test. You’re looking for the tread to be  a.bove 1.6mm, otherwise it’s time to change your tyre. Take a 20p and place it upright into the main grooves of the tyre. If the outer band of the coin is obscured by the tyre, then the tread is within the legal limit.

However, once a year, we’d also recommend a garage technician checks if your tread wear is even. This will not only let you take the necessary actions to prevent uneven tread wear, but it will also keep you updated on the state of your tyres and how safe they are.

3) Aim for alignment

When your wheels are out of alignment, your tyre treads will wear out unevenly. This makes one part of the tyre weaker and more likely to get damaged.

So, whilst you’re getting your tread wear checked at the garage, get your tyres aligned by the garage to help make sure your treads wear evenly and last longer, too.

4) Adopt a smooth driving style

A quick and easy way to immediately help your tyre tread wear is to drive smoothly. Focus on fluid gear changes, gentler braking, acceleration and cornering to help maximise the amount of mileage you can get out of your tyres.

5) Avoid road hazards

Landsail’s tyres have been produced after years of research and development – but despite their expertly engineered design, potholes, curbs and bumps in the road will inevitably affect the lifespan of your tyres.

Whilst you’re out on the road, try to avoid or slow down for any unexpected lumps and bumps that may damage the rubber or outer wall of your tyre.

For more information on Landsail’s range of tyres, check out our product page or contact your local dealer.