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According to the state's solid waste management hierarchy, reducing waste at the source -
keeping it out of the waste stream in the first place - is the preferred method of
handling solid waste. Prolonging the life of tires will therefore reduce the number of
waste tires generated, and will also save you money as someone who purchases and relies
on tires for your transportation and business.
Radial passenger tires on the market today can easily have maintenance-free, safe service
lives of up to 80,000 miles. Yet the average U.S. car owner only receives about 40,000 miles
of service from their tires. Most tires are disposed of long before they would need to be,
due to improper tire maintenance and neglect.
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With increasing costs for waste tire disposal, and an increasing number of waste tires being
generated annually, it makes good sense both environmentally and economically for consumers
to practice a few simple preventative maintenance techniques to prolong the usable life of
their tires. Some helpful preventative maintenance tips, as well as some recommended driving
habits, are listed below.
Tire Maintenance Tips
Keep wheels balanced.
An out-of-balance wheel will be literally pulled out of shape at high speeds, increasing tire wear.
Keep wheels aligned.
Improperly aligned tires can increase tire wear tenfold over normal use. Check alignment
frequently if you drive often on rough roads.
Rotate tires regularly.
It's important to rotate tires frequently because tires do not wear evenly on all four
wheels. Tires on the drive-axle of a vehicle wear down 30 percent to 100 percent faster
than those on the other axle. It is recommended to rotate your tires every 6,000 miles.
Check with your tire dealer or service garage for a recommended rotation pattern for
your tires.
Check tires often for damage.
Inspect your tires at least once a month for punctures, cracks and signs of abnormal
wear. To promote long tire life, have all tire repairs made on the inside of the tires,
by a qualified tire service technician.
Maintain proper air pressure.
Too much or too little air pressure within a tire shortens its life dramatically.
Underinflation of a tire is worse than overinflation. A 40,000-mile tire will lose
4,000 miles of its life if it's underinflated by 4 pounds per squire inch (psi).
Check the sidewall of your tire, or the edge of your driver's side door for
the recommended air pressure for your car's tires. Remember that the psi rating shown is
the maximum amount of air the tire should have when it is
cold (i.e.- before a driving trip).
Replace tires when there is 1/16 of an inch of tread left.
All new tires have "wear bars" that indicate when there is only 1/16 of an inch of
tread left on the tire. When you see the bars, the tires should be replaced or
retreaded. Studies show that 90 percent of all tire failure occurs in the last
10 percent of tread wear, and bald tires are 4 times more likely to have a flat
or blow-out than treaded tires.
Recommended Driving Habits
Avoid cornering at high speeds.
"Squealing" tires at corners drastically shortens their mileage life. It's also
a clear indication that the driver is cornering at high speeds, and you could be
endangering your own safety.
Avoid rough roads and potholes.
Careful driving on rough roads can help reduce tire wear. Slow down and try to
avoid hitting potholes, road obstructions or uneven surfaces.
Avoid sudden stops and starts.
Smooth driving habits prolong tire life and save gas. When you stop or start
abruptly, rubber tears off the tire at the road surface. Even normal stop and
go traffic wears away tire tread 7 times faster than steady driving.
Avoid excess speed.
High-speed driving builds up heat in the tire, which can rapidly deteriorate
rubber. A study of truck tires showed that a tire which lasts 80,000 miles
driven at 40 miles per hour only lasted 32,000 driven at 60 miles per hour.
Use the correct tire size.
Tires are sized by diameter and width and are rated by their weight carrying
capacity. A tire that is too small for a vehicle will carry too much weight and
wear out faster. Overloading a tire by as little as 10 percent can significantly
decrease its usable life span.
By using these tire tips you will not only save money by extending the life of
your tires, you will also receive additional benefits, including improved gas
mileage, better car handling and most of all - you'll be helping to reduce the
number of waste tires headed for disposal.
DNR Contact
Jennifer Reutzel
(515)281-8672
Jennifer.Reutzel@dnr.iowa.gov
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