A common complaint among motorists is they're not getting good mileage from their tyres when compared with other cars using the same tyre size and brand pattern.

THE REASON BEHIND REDUCED TREAD WEAR

If a tyre is run under a series of adverse conditions, the tread life can be reduced to less than one-fifth of that achieved under more favourable conditions. Below are some adverse situations which commonly reduce tread:

• Fast driving coupled with fierce acceleration and harsh braking. These will eventually reduce tread life, particularly over winding and uneven roads.
   
• Cornering speed increases wear rate. A 10% increase in cornering speed can increase the wear by as much as 50%.
   
• Mechanical faults like misalignment and faulty absorbers will contribute to uneven and rapid tread wear. Incorrect inflation pressure will worsen this situation.
   
• Tyre life is also greatly affected by the tyre or road on which it runs. As a general rule, rough surfaces are more abrasive than smooth ones.
   
• Hot dry weather can wear tyres twice as fast as cool wet conditions.
   
• The use of 4-wheel drive on hard surfaces will drastically reduce tread life.

So remember, the motorist is the most important factor in amy consideration of tyre life.

Article contributed by AAM

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