How many kilometres does a tyre really last?

There are many myths surrounding how long tyres last. You will hear all kinds of figures, references or data supporting one thing or another; however, what is clear is that it depends on many factors…

By law, a tyre reaches the end of its useful life when the depth of the wear indicator is less than 1.6 millimetres. Of course, an exact figure cannot be given for when this will happen, as it depends on many factors; however, we can make a good approximation.

Keeping your tyres in good condition is just as important as knowing how to drive in adverse weather conditions.

Time, storage conditions, the total load of the vehicle, the speed at which you usually drive, tyre pressure or maintenance are factors that largely determine tyre wear.

A reasonable average, assuming a not overly aggressive driving style and proper tyre rotation, is around 40,000 kilometres.

Among all the factors that determine a tyre’s good condition, driving style, proper vehicle maintenance and tyre pressure stand out in particular. The faster we drive, and especially the faster we take corners, the much quicker we will wear out our tyres, and if the temperature is high, as in summer, the wear will be even greater.

It is extremely important to keep your tyres in proper condition, since, let us not forget, they are the only element in direct contact with the road, and their correct grip will offer us much more safety.

How can you prevent tyres from wearing out prematurely?

• Mind your driving style: this is the most important advice we can give you. The main cause of premature tyre wear is undoubtedly aggressive, sporty driving. Sudden acceleration, harsh braking, all these factors will wear out your tyres much faster. Changing your driving style will help prevent them from wearing out prematurely.

• Type of road: this is something you may not be able to avoid, but it is also very important. Even driving calmly, tyres will wear faster if you frequently use mountain roads with many bends, numerous braking events or more acceleration. Opting for motorways will be your best ally in this case.

• Suspension geometry and shock absorber condition: having incorrect alignment settings or shock absorbers in poor condition causes wear similar to that of a road full of bends, climbs and descents. Make sure they are in good condition.

• Weather and road surface: tyres wear more in dry conditions and high temperatures, and if the surface is also very rough, their deterioration increases even further.
• Correct tyre pressure: if you do not adjust tyre pressure to the manufacturer’s recommendation, you will cause much faster wear of your tyres; a 20% lower pressure than recommended can result in wear that is 20% faster…

In short, as always, prevention and attentiveness will save you many headaches and increase your safety, especially with something as important as tyres for a vehicle.