5 Tips to Get the Most From Your Tyres

More Mileages for Your Money

From fill-ups to tune-ups to wear-and-tear parts like tires and brakes, if it seems like a good chunk of your paycheck goes directly into your car, you're not alone. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis estimates that transportation costs equal about 12.9% of the typical household's income. So, how can you stretch your money when it comes to your car? Here are five tips to help get the most life out of your tyres.

More mileages for your money

1. Pump It Up

Tyre pressure is a big deal when it comes to tire longevity. Tyres need proper inflation pressure to operate effectively and perform as intended. Both overinflated and underinflated tyres can cause tyres to wear faster, as well as adversely affect vehicle handling and fuel economy. Use a tyre gauge to be sure tyres are inflated properly. Check your tyre pressure every month and before long trips or when carrying extra load. The vehicle manufacturer recommendations for tyre pressure can be found on a label affixed to the driver's door or door jamb, or in the vehicle owner's manual. Remember that tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are "cold," which means when your car hasn't been driven for three hours or for less than a 1.6 km at moderate speed.

2. Maintain Proper Alignment

If your car's wheels are out of alignment, your tyres will wear unevenly, which can lead to early replacement. Also, a car out of alignment could signal other mechanical problems that may affect tyre performance. For the best results, choose a shop that uses accurate computer-assisted machines, and ask for a printout of the adjustment angles to keep with your service records.

3. Rotate Regularly

Your car's wheels have different forces exerted on them depending on their position on the car, which can lead to uneven tread wear. Rotating your tyres regularly (as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres) promotes even tread wear and helps the tyre perform as designed.

4. Check Your Balance

Tyres and wheels that are out of balance causes vibration and uneven tread wear. These further reduce your ride comfort and leading to earlier replacement. A shop with an electronic spin balancer can help smooth things out.

5. Roll with Less Resistance

Rolling resistance is the amount of energy needed to keep your tyres moving at a straight and steady pace. It impacts your car's fuel efficiency, and saving on petrol is definitely a good way to keep money in your pocket. Choosing tyres like the Bridgestone ECOPIA line of low-rolling resistance tyres can increase mileage usage by 11km per tank*.

*Test conditions:

TUV Rheinland Chassis Dynamometer test according to UNECE-R83 and UNECE-R101,

Vehicle: Toyota Camry 2.0G,

Fuel Tank: 70L,

Tyre size: 215/60R16,

Inflation pressure: 230kpa,

Drive condition: Urban (City)