Image by 3D Animation Production Company from Pixabay
Last time, we looked at some of the reasons why tyres are currently so expensive. The good news is that there are some simple things you can do to ensure you don’t fork out more than you need to, nor more often than is necessary. Let’s dive in…
1. Choose the right supplier
Obviously, the first step to keeping the cost of your tyres down is to shop around. Costs do vary between suppliers, and businesses with high overheads inevitably pass those onto customers. Top tip: if you’re not going to use a mobile supplier, don’t forget to factor in the costs of getting to and from the garage.
On the other hand, buying your tyres from a cheap but dodgy business is a terrible idea. Make sure you look at customer reviews for any potential vendor, and also a check it’sresponsible company that will dispose of your old tyres properly.
While we’re on the supplier question, here’s a shameless plug for our own business: if you’re in the South Oxfordshire area, please check out our selection of around 6,000 tyres – we’re confident you’ll find some of the most competitive prices around.
2. Choose the right tyre
Really cheap tyres can be a false economy, as they may wear out faster and you end up changing them sooner. On the other hand, there’s no point buying top-of-the-range performance tyres if you only use your car to tootle down to the shops.
This is where a knowledgeable (and honest!) supplier is worth their weight in gold: they will be able to recommend the tyres that suit your needs and bank balance.
3. Modify your driving style
Having kept costs down by choosing the right supplier and the right tyre, the next step is to make your tyres last as long as possible. And one of the most straightforward ways to do that is to be mindful about your driving style.
Hooning around like you’re the late. great Ken Block may be loads of fun, but don’t expect your tyres to last. To get the most useful life out of them, remember to accelerate, corner and brake more gently. In fact by reading the road ahead, a fair bit of braking can be eliminated altogether.
4. Avoid terrible road surfaces
This one fits into the ‘easier said than done’ category. It shouldn’t be surprising that rough, uneven and/or pot-holed surfaces wear your tyres faster than super-smooth ones. But if you have an alternative to that road that looks like the surface of the moon, please do your tyres a favour and take it.
5. Keep tyres in regular use
Modern tyres are designed to be used regularly. If you leave your car standing for weeks on end, they may deteriorate more quickly. As we explained in a 2020 post:
When tyres are rotating, waxy compounds within them are activated. These are designed to slow down oxidation – the ageing process that stiffens tyres and introduces crazing to the sidewalls. When a tyre is stationary for an extended period, tyres lose this protection. They dry out and age faster.
The solution is to take the car out of a spin every so often. Your engine and other mechanical components will like it too.
6. Keep the right tyre pressure
Maintaining the right tyre pressure is one of the most important factors in making your tyres last. When tyres are underinflated, they quickly become overheated, operating outside of their optimal temperature range. According to one estimate, underinflating by just 10% could reduce tyre mileage by the same amount.
Could over-inflating tyres slow down wear? No, because this makes the centre part of the tread wear more quickly.
The solution is to stick to the tyre pressure the manufacturer stipulates. Yes, nobody likes checking their tyre pressure (and it often gets pushed down the to-do list), but it will save you money if you do it regularly.
The BK Tyres blog carries news, views and information on tyres and related subjects. BK Tyres supplies and fits tyres throughout South Oxfordshire, including the communities of Abingdon, Didcot and Henley on Thames. As an independent, family run mobile provider, we provide exceptional levels of service and affordable prices. Contact us today.