Your tyres are the only part of your vehicle that touches the road, so it makes sense to look after them. Uneven tyre wear isn’t just a maintenance issue—it can affect your car’s safety, fuel efficiency, and handling. In some cases, it can even lead to premature tyre replacement, costing you hundreds of dollars earlier than necessary.
Whether you’re driving around Melbourne’s busy city streets or tackling longer drives across Victoria, following a few simple practices can help keep your tyres wearing evenly and performing at their best. Here’s what every car owner should know.
1. Maintain the Correct Tyre Pressure
This is one of the easiest and most effective things you can do. Tyres that are underinflated wear more on the outer edges, while overinflated tyres wear faster in the centre. Incorrect tyre pressure also makes your engine work harder, reducing fuel economy.
Check your tyre pressure at least once a month, especially before long trips or temperature changes. You’ll usually find the correct pressure in your car’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door. Don’t rely on guesswork—use a proper tyre gauge or ask your local service station.
2. Rotate Your Tyres Regularly
Front and rear tyres wear differently due to steering, braking, and engine weight. Rotating them helps spread out the wear, ensuring all tyres last longer.
Most manufacturers recommend rotating your tyres every 10,000km (or around every second service). If your car is front-wheel drive, the front tyres typically wear faster, while rear-wheel drives tend to have more even wear. Either way, regular rotation helps balance things out.
3. Get Wheel Alignments as Needed
If your wheels aren’t properly aligned, your tyres won’t wear evenly—simple as that. You might notice the steering pulling to one side, or uneven wear on just one edge of a tyre. This can happen gradually over time or after hitting a pothole, curb, or speed bump too hard.
A wheel alignment ensures your tyres are pointing in the right direction and sitting flat on the road. It’s a small service that can prevent major tyre issues down the track. If your car feels like it’s not tracking straight, or your steering wheel is off-centre, get it checked.
4. Balance Your Tyres
Tyre balancing ensures the weight of the tyre and wheel is distributed evenly. When tyres are out of balance, you may feel vibrations through the steering wheel—especially at higher speeds. This not only affects comfort but also leads to uneven wear and tear.
Whenever you get new tyres fitted or notice vibrations while driving, ask your mechanic to check the balance. It’s a quick job and can make a noticeable difference.
5. Avoid Hard Braking and Aggressive Acceleration
How you drive affects how your tyres wear. Frequent hard braking, sharp cornering, and rapid take-offs can put unnecessary stress on the tyre surface, leading to faster and uneven wear—especially on the front wheels.
Try to drive smoothly and anticipate stops and turns. Not only will it reduce tyre wear, but it’ll also improve fuel efficiency and make your rides more comfortable.
6. Don’t Overload Your Vehicle
Every car has a maximum load rating, and exceeding it puts added pressure on the tyres. This can cause sidewall damage, overheating, and uneven wear patterns—particularly on the rear tyres.
If you regularly carry heavy loads or tow, check your tyre pressure more often and keep within your vehicle’s recommended limits. Overloading can also affect braking and handling, making the car less safe overall.
7. Inspect Your Tyres Often
You don’t need to be a mechanic to spot early signs of uneven wear. Make it a habit to inspect your tyres regularly for:
- Bald spots
- Uneven tread depth
- Cracks or bulges on the sidewall
- Embedded objects (like nails or stones)
If anything looks or feels off, have it checked before it turns into a bigger issue. Catching early wear can often be fixed with a rotation, alignment, or balance.
8. Buy Quality Tyres and Replace Them When Needed
Quality tyres tend to wear more evenly and last longer. While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing in well-known brands can save you money in the long run. And when your tyres are worn out or showing signs of damage, replace them promptly.
Driving on bald or unevenly worn tyres increases your stopping distance and raises the risk of blowouts—especially on wet or hot roads.
Staying Safe, Saving Money
Keeping your tyres in good shape is one of the smartest things you can do for your vehicle. It’s safer, improves fuel economy, and extends the life of your tyres—saving you money down the road.
By checking your pressure regularly, driving with care, and getting the occasional alignment or rotation, you’ll avoid uneven wear and keep your vehicle handling as it should.
A well-maintained set of tyres doesn’t just help your car perform better—it keeps you safer every time you hit the road.
If you are in Attwood, and looking to sell your car, this is the best way to find us.
1/26 Acacia St, Glenroy VIC 3046
0437 773 905
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