Why Do New Car Tires Wear Out So Fast? Top 10 reasons

Are you frustrated with how quickly your new car tires wear out? You’re not alone. Many people face this issue without knowing the underlying reasons. Fortunately, we’re here to shed light on the matter.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into the top 10 reasons why new car tires wear out so fast. By understanding these factors, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to prevent premature tire wear. Whether it’s your driving habits or vehicle maintenance, we’ll cover all the essential subtopics to address your concerns.

We understand the disappointment that comes with seeing your brand-new tires deteriorate rapidly. That’s why we’ve crafted this article to help you find solutions and prolong the lifespan of your tires. So, buckle up and let’s explore the reasons behind this problem together!

Why do tires wear down?

Friction between the tire surface and the road is the main reason why tires wear down when driven on.

The primary component of a tire is rubber, which plays a crucial role in determining a tires properties. Manufacturers rely on producing rubber that, combined with the tread pattern, enhances the tire’s performance.

The performance of a tire is primarily achieved through its ability to grip the road, which relies on friction and results in traction. At a microscopic level, tires are not perfectly smooth. Small imperfections in the tire’s surface, along with its design, contribute to better grip and traction.

As a tire rotates, the surface particles are gradually worn away, leading to tread wear. The rate at which it wears down depends on the amount of force and friction that the tire is experiencing. That is why driving faster or aggressively wears down tires prematurely as the extra force the tire experiences causes the tire to wear faster.

There are a variety of different tires and the type of tire will determine how fast or slow it wears down. This is mainly determined by the hardness of the rubber compound. Winter tires are softer and therefore wear down faster when driven in warm tempertaures. Summer tires are made of a harder rubber compounds which helps to prolong the life of the tire and prevent it from wearing down too fast.

Now that we know what causes tires to wear down, let’s look into the top 10 reasons new car tires wear out so fast.

Improperly Inflated Tires

One of the most common reasons for new car tires to wear out quickly is improper inflation. If your tires are under-inflated, they will flex more as you drive, which causes them to wear down faster as they will ride along the tire shoulders and wear them out faster and unevenly.

Tires that are over-inflated can also cause premature wear, as they will bounce on the road, only riding along the centre of the tire. This leads to the tire making improper contact with the road along a smaller contact patch. This concentrates the wear of the tire to a small area of the tire and wears it away at an accelerated rate.

To avoid this problem, make sure to check your tire pressure regularly and always inflate them to the recommended level. The easiest way to check your tire pressure is to use a tire pressure gauge. You can also check your tires pressure at a gas station using the air machine.

If your vehicle is fitted with a TPM, this may illuminate if your tire pressure drops below a certain threshold which is usually around 20% out of specification. Newer vehicles are able to tell you the pressure inside each tire without needing to use a pressure gauge. This will help you figure out if you need to let air out of your tire or inflate your tire.

Improper Wheel Alignment

Another common reason for why new car tires wear out so fast is improper wheel alignment. If your wheels are not aligned properly, they will create drag as you drive, which wears down the tires.

Improperly aligned wheels means that the wheels are not all pointing straight. This means that they will be fighting each other and the vehicle will experience handling problems as the tires make improper contact with the road.

This problem can be caused by hitting a curb or pothole, meaning that it can affect both brand new and old cars. Leaving it for too long can mean that your tires wear improperly and then need to be replaced even sooner. That is why it’s important to have your alignment checked if you’ve experienced any type of impact.

It is not very expensive and doesn’t take very long to have your wheels aligned. Having your wheels aligned can make a big difference to how your car performs and can ensure that your new tires do not wear out so fast.

Bad Driving Habits

Your driving habits can also affect how quickly your new car tires wear out. If you tend to accelerate and brake hard, or make sudden turns, you are putting extra stress on the tires.

This extra friction and stress will cause the surface of the tire to heat up, softening it and causing it to wear away faster than it should. This affects new and old tires alike.

This means that driving aggressively can cause your tires to wear down faster than if you drove smoothly. If you want to prolong the life of your tires, it’s important to drive carefully and avoid any sharp acceleration, braking or steering inputs.

Worn Suspension Components

Another factor that can cause tires to wear out prematurely is worn suspension components. If your shocks or struts are worn, they will not be able to properly support the weight of the vehicle and the tires will ride along the road at an uneven angle.

This can cause the tires to wear more than they should, which will lead to premature wear. If you notice your vehicle bouncing more than usual or riding poorly over uneven surfaces or bumps, it’s a good idea to have the suspension components checked.

Excessive Weight

If you regularly carry heavy loads in your vehicle, this can also cause the tires to wear out prematurely. The extra weight puts additional stress on the tires, causing them to flex and wear down.

If you need to carry heavy items regularly, it’s important to make sure that the tires are rated for the extra weight and add some extra air pressure to the tire. This will help the tire from over flexing and wearing down too quickly. You may also want to consider investing in a set of heavier duty tires.

Harsh Driving Conditions

If you frequently drive in harsh conditions, such as on dirt roads or in extreme weather, this can also cause the tires to wear out prematurely. The rough surface of the road will cause the tires to wear down more than they otherwise would.

Similarly, driving in extreme heat or cold can also cause the tires to wear down faster. If you want to prolong the life of your tires, it’s important to avoid driving in harsh conditions whenever possible.

Failing to Rotate Tires

One of the best ways to prolong the life of your tires is to rotate them on a regular basis. This helps to even out the wear and tear, so that they all last longer. Most experts recommend rotating your tires every 5000 miles or so.

If you don’t rotate your tires, they will eventually wear down unevenly. This can cause one tire to fail long before the others, which can be dangerous. This will nearly always be the front wheels of your vehicle as they bear the largest amount of stress and force because of the force sustained under braking.

Uneven Surface

If you frequently drive on uneven or unpaved surfaces, this can also cause the tires to wear out prematurely. The uneven surface puts additional stress on the tires, causing them to flex and the surface to wear down faster due to the

If you want to prolong the life of your tires, it’s important to avoid driving on unpaved roads whenever possible.

Bad Suspension

The suspension of your car plays a big role in tire wear. If the suspension is not working properly, it can cause the tires to bounce on the road, which in turn creates an uneven distribution of friction and leads to premature wear. If you notice that your car is bouncing more than usual, it’s a good idea to have the suspension checked.

Your service technician will usually perform a visual check of your vehicle at its yearly service. However if you notice your vehicle behaving strangely, we strongly advise taking it to your local shop for an expert to have a look at it for you.

It is best to err on the side of caution as any damage can compromise the safety of your vehicle.

Driving on the wrong tires for the season

When purchasing a new car, it may come equipped with specific winter or summer tires, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions. Driving on winter tires in the summer can cause them to wear down prematurely.

Similarly, driving on summer tires in the winter can also cause premature wear. It’s important to consult with a professional to make sure that you are using the correct tires for the season. This is why it’s important to make sure that you are using the correct tires for the season.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a number of different factors that can cause your new car tires to wear out prematurely. If you want to prolong the life of your new car tires, it’s important to be aware of these factors and take steps to avoid them.

By following these tips, you can help to make sure that your new car tires last as long as possible.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!

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