How Many Miles Should Front and Rear Tyres Last?
Giving an exact answer as to how many miles front and back tyres last for is nigh on impossible; it depends on numerous factors as well as, of course, the tyre make. There is advice out there that suggests that as a general rule of thumb you should be able to get at least 20,000 miles out of the front ones, and double from the back; this, of course, is dependent on so many things. To help you with it all we’ve summarised the important factors below.
In choosing replacement tyres for your vehicle, you should factor in where you will be driving, the road conditions, the weather and even your individual driving style.
For those of us who drive long distances at speed – say, on the motorway – it may benefit you to invest in a premium brand of tyre such as Falken or Sumitomo where the cost is higher but the quality is top of the line. These tyres, if looked after, will potentially last far longer than some cheaper makes.
Drivers covering a rather more modest mileage can benefit from midrange tyres but the emphasis on looking after them correctly is still the same to ensure safety.
The legal tread limit on tyres is 1.6mm but once a tyre reaches 3mm, handling and performance will start to deteriorate to a significant extent and you might notice this while driving. Motorists are required to keep their tyres at 1.6mm tread or above by law and if they fail to do so can be fined. It’s also paramount that they’re inflated correctly and to the right levels, the details of which you’ll find in your vehicle manual.
If your tyres become under-inflated the rolling resistance increases which in effect means that you’ll be using more fuel and energy to push the car along. More importantly, you will be inflicting catastrophic damage on the sidewalls.
We each have our own driving style; but if yours is too fast or you’re a heavy braker, this can have an impact on your tyres. Making sure that you’re driving as safely as possible will prolong the life of your tyres.
If you feel some steering wobble whilst driving, this may mean that you need the wheels re-balancing, which is easily fixed by a garage. Some owners also like to rotate their tyres to allow for even wear and tear on both the front and the back. A few manufacturers recommend that tyres are rotated every year or at the 7,500 mile mark. A specialist at one of our Protyre garages will be able to assist you in determining whether it’s an option for you and your vehicle and how best to do it.
Our tyre professionals are used to fitting various tyre makes including the likes of Bridgestone and Pirelli, all in our specially equipped garages; in our experience choosing replacement tyres can be a stressful time so we are always on hand to help you. To get a free tyre check with a tyre professional at Protyre just contact your local centre; you’re in safe hands with the local garage you can trust.