Getting the most out of your tyres doesn't have to be complicated. With just a few simple habits, you can make them last twice as long, save money on fuel, and keep your car safer on the road.
What is PSI?
PSI stands for "pounds per square inch" it's how air pressure inside tyres is being measured. Think of it like blood pressure for your car. Just as your body needs the right blood pressure to function properly, your tyres need the right air pressure to perform their best. Too little pressure and your tyres will wear out on the edges, use more fuel, and feel sluggish. Too much pressure and they'll wear out in the middle, give you a harsh ride, and be more likely to get damaged by potholes.
The Right PSI: It's Not What You Think
Don't use the number on your tyre sidewall. That's the maximum pressure your tyre can handle, not what's best for your car. Instead, check your driver's side door. You'll find a sticker with the recommended PSI for your specific vehicle. This number is usually 3-8 PSI lower than what's printed on your tyre, and there's a good reason for that.
Your car's engineers tested thousands of combinations to find the pressure that gives you:
- The smoothest ride
- Best fuel economy
- Even tyre wear
- Safe handling in emergencies
Using the door sticker number instead of the sidewall number can easily add 20,000+ miles to your tyre life.
When to Check Your Tyre Pressure
Check when tyres are cold before you've driven anywhere that day. Even a short trip to the petrol station heats up your tyres and gives you a false reading. Temperature matters more than you think. For every 10°C drop in temperature, your tyres lose about 1-2 PSI. So if you filled them during summer, they'll be underinflated by winter. Check monthly, not just when they look flat. A tyre can lose significant pressure and still look normal.
Rotate Your Tyres Every 5,000-6,000 Miles
Your front tyres work much harder than your rear ones. They steer, brake, and often carry more weight from your engine. Without rotation, your front tyres will wear out much faster.
Easy rule: Rotate them every time you change your oil. Go to your trusted tyre shop, this service can double the life of your tyres.
Exception: If your tyres have directional tread patterns (with arrows showing which way they should roll), you can only move them front-to-back on the same side of the car.
Pay Attention to How You Drive
Small changes in your driving habits can add thousands of miles to your tyre life:
- Gentle acceleration prevents centre tread wear
- Gradual braking stops flat spots and chunking
- Smooth cornering keeps shoulders from wearing out
- Longer trips let tyres warm up properly (rubber needs heat to work correctly)
If you only make short trips under 10 minutes, your tyres never reach their ideal temperature and will wear unevenly.
Get Your Wheels Aligned Once a Year
Even perfect tyre pressure can't fix crooked wheels. Hitting a pothole or kerb can knock your alignment off, and you might not notice until your tyres are ruined.
Signs you need an alignment:
- Car pulls to one side
- Steering wheel isn't centred when driving straight
- One side of your tyres wears faster than the other
A quick visit to your trusted tyre shop for this service can double the life of your tyres.
Replace Tyres After 6 Years, Regardless of Tread
Even with perfect care, rubber gets hard and brittle as it ages. After about 6 years, your tyres become less safe and start wearing unevenly, no matter how much tread they have left.
How to check your tyre age: Look for a 4-digit code on the sidewall (like "2319"). The first two digits are the week, the last two are the year. So "2319" means the 23rd week of 2019.
The Bottom Line
Good tyre care comes down to five simple habits:
- Use your car's recommended PSI (from the door sticker, not the tyre)
- Check pressure monthly when tyres are cold
- Rotate every 5,000-6,000 miles
- Drive smoothly and take longer trips when possible
- Get aligned once a year or after hitting something hard
Follow these basics, and you'll get twice the life from your tyres while keeping your car safer and more fuel-efficient. It's one of the easiest ways to save money on car maintenance.
Need help with tyre maintenance or alignment? Contact Westside Auto for professional service that keeps your tyres performing their best.
