How to Make Your Tires Last Longer

Getting to where you’re going safely is just as important as getting the most from your investment in a set of car tires. At Mavis Tires and Brakes, we’re proud to be your local tire experts. 

Our team can help you find the right tires from our wide selection of well known brands in all sizes and at prices that simply won't be beat. Thanks to our variety of price offers, we will find the best choice for your budget!

Quick tips for making your tires last longer

• Inflate your tires to recommended pressure

• Get your tires rotated at recommended intervals

• Keep your wheels balanced

• Avoid driving aggressively

• Regular alignment maintenance every 6 months

While every driver will eventually need to repair or replace their tires, some tips and tricks can help you get the most out of your new set. Read on for our best advice on making your tires last longer.

What factors affect tire wear and tear?

As your local automotive specialists, we’ve seen it all; and that means we know tires. Whether you need tire repair, replacement tires, or maintenance to help keep your vehicle rolling, we have the experience you can trust.

Mavis Tires and Brakes customers often ask how they can ensure their tires last as long as possible. Some of the most common reasons that drivers experience tire issues include road hazards, poor driving, worn or aged tires, and poor maintenance.

Road hazards

Drivers experience tire wear from common road hazards. These can include unexpected road conditions, like potholes, bumps, or damaged pavement, as well as going off-road onto unpaved or dirt roads.

While some of these are uncontrollable, some common accidents can also affect tire wear. Even the best drivers have accidentally driven onto the edge of a curb or rubbed against one while parking. While minor, these unintended impacts can accelerate tire wear.

Poor driving

An aggressive driving style can be problematic for more reasons than the risk of getting a ticket — it can also affect how quickly tires wear out. Suppose your regular driving habits include hard braking, rapid acceleration from traffic lights or stop signs, or sharp cornering. In that case, you may be prematurely wearing your tires down.

Worn or aged tires

Most drivers average between 12,000 to 15,000 miles each year. Even in the best conditions on the most well-maintained roads, this will cause the tire to wear from normal road usage. Tires can also wear down from normal aging, even without being driven. Tires that are not used often, like those on summer cars or spare tires, can be impacted by wear from tire age.

Weather conditions

If you regularly drive in inclement weather, like snow, ice, or heavy rains, this can cause tires to wear more quickly. In addition, it’s more difficult for the tires to grip the road, it can impact the life of the rubber, as they are working harder to maintain grip to drive. Specialty tires, such as snow or winter tires, can help extend a set of tires’ lifespan in this situation.

Poor tire maintenance

A flat tire isn’t the only time you need to roll into Mavis Tires and Brakes. Over time, tires can lose air pressure for a variety of reasons, including things like wear and tear and damage to wheels. A tire can lose up to 10 pounds of air pressure in just one month. Depending on your manufacturer’s suggested pound per square inch (PSI) for your tires, that can be nearly ⅓ of what it should be!

Regular tire maintenance can include managing the air pressure in your tires and receiving regular tire services like balancing, alignment, or rotations.

Being underinflated can cause extra pressure on the edges of your tire, including increased treadwear and reduced durability: both key factors in early tire replacement. Even worse, underinflated tires need to work harder, meaning you’ll spend more at the pump. Keeping your tires overinflated can be just as damaging, causing the tire’s tread to wear more quickly in the center.

Signs your tires need replacing

If you have questions about whether or not your tires need to be replaced, the tire experts at Mavis are available to help. Our extensive experience in tire maintenance, repair, and replacement means we know what to look for regarding your concerns about your tires. So when you’re thinking about new tires, think Mavis Tires and Brakes!

Tire pressure

If it feels like your tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light is on every time you get in your car, you may be experiencing a tire pressure issue. Whether it’s from a nail in the tread, normal wear, or age-associated cracks in the sidewall, regular air pressure issues could indicate that it’s time to replace your tires.

For more assistance determining if this is the case, stop by our store and we can help you check your tire pressure and look for the cause of the issues you’re experiencing. If you need a single tire replacement because of damage caused by road debris or if it’s time for a full replacement set, we can help you find the best solution for your situation.

Tread

Normal driving wears away the rubber on your tire’s surface, leaving less tread for your tires to grip the road. This can be measured with a tread depth gauge. If your tread measures less than 2/32 inch, this is an indication that it’s time for a replacement. 

Don’t have a gauge to measure your treadwear? Visit Mavis Tires and Brakes and our team will gladly complete a no-pressure check for you. If an inspection of your tires shows that the grooves in your tire’s tread are diminishing, you may need to replace them.

Balance and alignment

Having wheels that are out of balance or alignment can signal that your tires need replacement. For example, suppose you’re hearing more road noise than usual or experiencing shaking in your steering wheel. In that case, this can indicate your wheels may be out of balance. 

Suppose you’re feeling a strong pull in one direction while driving or noticing that your steering wheel is off-center. In that case, your wheels may be out of alignment. When your wheels have been off-balance or out of alignment for a period, it can cause premature damage to your tires and may require replacement.

How to extend the life of your tires

One of the most critical things you can do as a driver to help extend the lifespan of your tires is simply paying attention to them. While they are easy to overlook until they need your attention, putting a regular tire check on your to-do list can help you extend the interval between replacements.

A regular visual check is one way to evaluate the status of your tires. Some things to look for include:

• Uneven wear on your tire’s treads, specifically if there is more in the center or on the edges

• Chopping in the tire’s tread edges

• Visual damage, such as nails or screws in the tread

• Scrapes or bubbles on the tire’s sidewall

• Strips of metal bands in the center of your tire treads

Finally, determine how much tire tread you have left using a tire tread depth gauge or the quick Lincoln penny test. Consider replacing tires if you have less than 2/32 inch or any other visual indicators of wear.

Having your tires at the incorrect air pressure, whether over or under the recommended inflation, can limit their life. You can check the sticker in your driver's side door jamb to find your tire's recommended PSI. 

A simple once-a-month check-in with a high-quality tire pressure gauge can warn you of trouble before it happens. No gauge or no time? Simply stop in at any Mavis Tires and Brakes location and we can check your pressure and help you correct any small issues before they become big problems.

Keeping your vehicle aligned and your wheels in balance can be another key to extending the life of your tires (and other vehicle components). Get your wheels balanced at least once a year or whenever you're experiencing any abnormal vibration, especially if you've recently hit a pothole or other bump in the road.

Tire rotations can also help extend the life of your tires. We recommend rotating your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles for most vehicles. Some vehicles, such as those that are four-wheel drive, may need these as often as 4,000 miles. Tire rotations can help extend tire longevity by creating a more consistent wear pattern across the entire set of tires.

Mavis Tires and Brakes helps you maintain your tires

At Mavis Tires and Brakes, we have the knowledge and experience to keep your car maintained and help you get the most out of your tire investment. We're here to help you deal with whatever road hazards life throws at you, handling everything from repairing flat tires to providing full inspections of your vehicle. The pros at Mavis are your go-to full-service tire professionals!

Take advantage of the Mavis price match

We are committed to being your first choice when it comes to tires, and that’s why we offer the Mavis Tire Price Match*, where we’ll beat any price. If you find tires for a lower price, simply show us the ad, tire size, and brand, and we’ll find all available tires that match at the same price.

Mavis 30-day tire price guarantee

We want you to be sure you’re getting the best deal on your tires, so we also offer our Mavis 30-Day Tire Price Guarantee. If you find the same tire at a lower price within 30 days of your purchase at our store, we’ll refund the difference plus 5%, putting money back in your wallet!

Tire care and replacement with no pressure

If you have questions about the conditions of your tires, our expert team is here to help. Stop by your nearest Mavis location, and we’ll be happy to check your tire pressure, help you with proper maintenance, or find your next set. 

Schedule an appointment online at a time that’s convenient for you. We’ll be glad to share our expertise to help you feel confident about the performance of your tires. We look forward to serving you for all of your tire and vehicle needs.

*Please note: we can only beat verifiable competitive price quotes on tires with the same brand, model, tire size, and construction.