How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Tires don’t last forever, but there are ways to extend their lifespans. Get the long-life tires you want by having them checked periodically. At Hendrick Chevrolet Monroe, we’ll keep tabs on your car’s tires and check the tread wear routinely. Below, you can learn more about the ways you can extend the lifespan of your tires, then visit our tire center when your car is due for tire repair or replacement.

What Causes Tire Tread Wear?

Tread wear patterns can point to specific issues, such as:

• Inner & Outer Tread Wear: Another name for this type of wear is “toe wear” or “camber wear.” Excessive wear on the inner or outer part of the tire can mean tire misalignment.
• Center Wear: Overinflation is probably the cause. Refer to your owner’s manual for the correct PSI.
• Edge Wear: Underinflation is probably to blame here.
• Cupping Wear: Cupping wear is when the tire becomes scalloped in a diagonal fashion. This points to an issue with the suspension system, so you’ll need to schedule a service appointment right away.
• Patchy Wear: If the tread wear on your tires is patchy, they’re probably out of balance and it’s time to visit a service center.

Tips for Getting Long-Lasting Tires

One of the easiest ways to get the most out of your tires is to keep up with regular service appointments. Complete the following services at the correct intervals to help lengthen the life of your tires:

• Check Your Tire Pressure Every Month: Every month, your tires may lose up to a pound per square inch of pressure, especially during the winter months. Use your car’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to keep the pressure at the correct level.
• Rotate Your Tires Every 5,000 Miles: Tires don’t wear evenly, regardless of whether you have rear- or all-wheel drive. Tire rotations allow the tires that are working the hardest to take a break from time to time.
• Get Your Tires Balanced: When you take your car in for a tire rotation, ask your mechanic to also check the balance. If the weight is distributed to one wheel more than the other, it can result in uneven tread wear.
• Check the Vehicle Alignment Twice Yearly: Misaligned wheels cause tires to wear out more quickly. If your car’s wheels are misaligned, your steering wheel probably shakes.

How Long Can You Drive on a Spare Tire?

If one of your tires fails, hopefully you have a spare. If you do, you’re probably wondering how long you can drive with a spare tire. It depends on what kind of spare tire you have; it’s likely one of these three spare tire types:

• Full-Size Spare Tire: You can drive safely with this spare tire, but you’ll want to get it changed whenever you can because it wasn’t manufactured by a brand that’s approved by your car’s manufacturer.
• Space Saver or “Donut” Spare Tire: Don’t drive beyond 70 miles with this type of spare tire, and don’t exceed 50 mph.
• Run-Flat Spare Tire: If your vehicle has run-flat tires rather than an extra spare, you can drive about 50 miles.

In any case, you’ll want to get the spare replaced with a proper, Chevy-approved tire. Spare tires aren’t adequate replacements for full-time tires.

Schedule Tire Service at Hendrick Chevrolet Monroe

Whether you need new tires for your Chevy vehicle, or you need tire repair, the service center at Hendrick Chevrolet Monroe is here to help. Contact us online or call us at (704) 288-0337 with any questions about our tire services and prices. You can also check out our service information hub to learn more about tires, such as tread depth and longevity.