How To Make Your Tires Last Longer

No matter which set you select at the tire center, no tires last forever. However, you can learn how to make your tires last longer if you take certain simple precautions on the Brooksville roads. Find out the key to long life tires with Plaza Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and don’t hesitate to get in touch with our service department for more information.

What Causes Tire Tread Wear? 

As you navigate Crystal River, your tire tread works hard to grip the road. Over time, that tire tread begins to wear down until you need to get a replacement set. But, your tire tread pattern can also reveal some interesting things about your car. Here are a few of the most common tread wear patterns.

• Inner & Outer Tread Wear: Known as “toe wear” or “camber wear,” wear on the inner or outer part of the tire is associated with tire misalignment. 
• Center Wear: The tire is probably overinflated past the manufacturer recommended guidelines. Check your owner’s manual to find out the recommended air pressure. 
• Edge Wear: Overinflation causes center wear, while underinflation causes wear along the edges of the tires instead. 
• Cupping Wear: “Cupping” is a diagonal scalloping of the tire, which can indicate a problem with your suspension system. We recommend scheduling a service as soon as possible.
• Patchy Wear: When the tread wear is in patches, it can indicate that your set is out of balance. Schedule a service for a tire balance.

Tips for Long-Lasting Tires 

When you invest in a great set of tires at Plaza Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we want to make sure that you enjoy years and years of fantastic performance. So, here are some recommended maintenance services that you can incorporate into your routine:

• Check Your Tire Pressure Monthly – Did you know that your tires can lose up to a pound per square inch of air pressure each month – even more in the winter? Check your tire pressure every month to make sure your set is properly inflated. 
• Rotate Your Tires Every 5,000 Miles – Rotating your tires will balance out the wear and tear across the set, so don’t neglect this important service. This is especially important if you have all-wheel drive.
• Get Your Tires Balanced – When your tires are off-balance, they can develop strange wear patterns. Pair your tire rotation with a tire balance for the best results.
• Check the Vehicle Alignment Twice Yearly – Misalignment can cause issues with not just your tires, but your vehicle performance in general. Hitting a curb or a pothole can easily throw your car out of alignment, so keep an eye out for the signs.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

If you’ve replaced one of your tires with a spare, you might be wondering how long you can drive on it safely. This is determined by the type of spare that you have:

• Full-size spare tire: You can safely drive on this type of tire for longer than others, but it’s still important to get your replacement as soon as possible. Your spare won’t be the same brand as the other tires, which can cause damage.
• Space saver or “donut” spare tire: Smaller in size, these tires are more fragile than a full-size tire. Drive no longer than 70 miles on it 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.

Find Out More with Plaza Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Now you know how to make your tires last longer, but what if you still have questions? Contact us at Plaza Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to learn more about tire care in Fruitland Park. From service to sales, we’re here to help.