Since Sailun values products that last—not just making more sales—we believe it’s important to share with our clients how to care for their tires. Here are some best practices that help extend the life of tires, particularly from winter wear and tear as we head deeper into the snowy months.

The importance of maximizing tire life: the three S’s

Savings

Tires are an investment so it’s worth knowing how to maintain them so they can last longer. Longer-lasting tires mean less spending on new ones. The longer you can keep your tires in shape, the longer you’ll have between buying another set.

Safety

Maintaining tires equals maintaining a higher level of safety. Healthy tires will have intact treads, shoulders, and rubber. By maximizing a tire’s life, you’re also increasing your safety on the road.

Sustainability

Tires are made of rubber and can last a long time when taken care of. A good tire will also keep the vehicle from experiencing negative impacts from the rough road. 

While the tire is in use, it sustains the car. Once the tires need to be replaced, they can be repurposed into rubber rugs, tire swings, gym material, flooring, and more.

Understanding tread wear

Treadwear is inevitable. But some of the best off-road tires will last longer than others. 

While tires are made to connect a vehicle to the pavement and roll against it, they experience wear and tear just like running shoes or skates on ice. It’s crucial to know when a tire’s treads are worn since this is the way tires grip the road and help the car stop quickly without sliding.

Tires are considered worn down when the tread is 2/32 of an inch. But it would be safer to replace them closer to the 4/32 of an inch mark. As the tread gets shallower, the tire’s ability to grip the road and bypass mud, sludge, and snow is compromised. 

This is when the penny test is used. Insert a penny into the tread. If the top of Lincoln’s head is visible, the tread is too shallow.

Tire tread depth maintenance strategies

Check tire pressure often

Instead of waiting for the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) to alert you that the tire pressure is low, take a moment to check on the tire pressure every month, or when the temperature drops. 

 Low tire pressure means the outside of the tread is getting extra wear. Maintain the correct tire pressure because too much increases wear along the middle of the tire.

Ensure proper alignment and balance

The tires need to be driven straight and aligned with each other to ensure one tire or one side isn’t doing the bulk of the work and getting worn more than the others. When possible, you can try driving through an empty parking lot, briefly take your hands off the wheel, and see if the vehicle continues to drive straight. Unaligned tires could cause the vehicle to sway to one side or make for a bumpier ride.

Rotate the tires regularly

To ensure the tires get the same amount of wear and tear and one doesn’t need to be replaced prematurely, rotate the tires. This is as simple as putting them on a different rim each time they’re installed. 

Front-wheel drive vehicles put the power in the front tires. Rear-wheel drive vehicles do the opposite. And all-wheel drive vehicles share the workload. Depending on the type, rotate the tires so they share the work.

Inspect the tires for damage

When learning to drive, we’re taught to conduct circle checks before getting in the car and driving away. This is a good way to inspect your tires for damage every once in a while. 

Devote a few minutes to ensure there aren’t any punctures in the tire from driving over a nail or a piece of glass, for example. Damage like this can either directly damage the tread, or damage it slowly if the puncture or bulge affects the tire pressure.

Avoid road hazards

While driving, one of the most straightforward ways to protect your tire is to avoid road hazards. These can be potholes, broken glass, metal, roadkill, rugged roads that your tires aren’t equipped for, or curbs.

Sailun tires with extended tread life: looking at the numbers

When shopping for Sailun tires, use the informative bars to determine which tire has the ratings you’re looking for. Look at the ratings for wet performance, dry performance, ride comfort, quietness, and tread life. 

Look closely at the tread life rating we’ve assigned our various tires and match it with your driving habits. Shop Sailun here.