Does driving speed affect a car's tyre longevity

By Adam White

People expect racing tyres to wear out faster than everyday driving tyres due to the extreme forces placed upon them by hard accelerating, braking and sharp cornering combined with little to no tread depth. However, it may come as a surprise to some that your driving speed can affect the tyre life on your own vehicle too.

Continental Tyres, who are a major tyre manufacturer and as well-known as Pirelli and Bridgestone, recommend that adopting a less aggressive driving style with slower acceleration, braking and cornering more steadily will significantly decrease tyre wear.

In our experience, driving at high speed for long durations, such as on motorway journeys, actually puts less pressure on the tyres than cruising at low speeds around towns and villages, where stopping, starting and frequent turning create greater friction on the tyres. It is widely acknowledged that tyres operate most effectively when correctly inflated and warmed up, so for drivers who perform high motorway miles, driving speed and tyre wear need not necessarily go hand in hand.

This means that if your tyres are wearing more quickly than anticipated, it may not be the speeds at which you are travelling that are to blame. Instead, you should consider having your vehicle and tyres checked by our tyre professionals to find the root cause. It may be that the tyres that you have fitted are unsuitable for the conditions in which you drive, for example, using winter tyres in warmer temperatures, or that the wheel alignment is incorrect or even as simple an issue as incorrectly inflated tyres.

We offer a free, no obligation tyre check service which can be booked online here on our website for your convenience and carried out at a local garage near you. Our qualified fitters will take the time to understand your concerns before inspecting the tyre wear patterns, checking the tread depth and air pressure and will advise as to the most likely cause for your excessive wear issues and recommend a solution. This solution could be as simple as adjusting your driving style or correctly inflating the tyres, or it could require a change of tyres to some that are more suitable for your vehicle, driving conditions and style.

Book a free tyre check

When you come to replace your tyres, you will need to decide whether longevity or comfort are more important to you. Tyres that are designed to be long-lasting are generally made from a harder rubber compound which can create a less shock-absorbing and noisier ride. Those made with a softer compound will be quieter and more comfortable but will wear out more quickly. If you typically drive long distances, you may accept that being comfortable whilst in your vehicle is worth the compromise of having to replace your tyres more frequently.

When you book a free tyre check at your local Protyre garage, you will benefit from our years of experience. We will take the time to help you choose the right tyres for your vehicle and advise on how to maintain them in the best possible condition for the longest possible time.

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Choosing the Right Tyre Made Easy

When it comes to your car's safety and performance, tyres can play a huge role. That's why we've put together a collection of helpful articles to guide you through the process of selecting the perfect tyres for your ride and maintaining your vehicle in general.

If you're looking for a smoother, more luxurious driving experience, premium car tyres might be the way to go. Or, if you want added security against flats, run flat car tyres could be your best bet. Trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres? We've got you covered there, too.

But we don't just stop at helping you choose the right tyres – we also share tips on how to keep them in tip-top shape. From checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres properly inflated to extending their life through regular rotation and balancing, our articles have got you covered.

So, whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking to keep your vehicle safe and reliable, our car help and advice articles are here to help you make informed decisions about your tyres. Check them out and feel confident in your tyre choices!

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About the author

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By Adam White
Adam looks to create engaging and informative content across the website that provides consumers with expert advice on MOTs, servicing, vehicle maintenance and tyre care. As a motorsport enthusiast, Adam enjoys documenting the Protyre Motorsport team’s involvement in major motorsport events across the UK.
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