Can Higher Speeds Increase Tire Tread Wear?
Eventually, all tires will show the signs of wear from driving. If your car is well maintained, your tires should wear out evenly. There are multiple factors that can increase tire tread wear.
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Function
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Tires are made from more than 200 materials, including oils, rubber, silica, antioxidants and additives. There is an inner tube and a body, which is usually made from polyester and steel. The strength of a tire comes from plies and belts. The exact materials and process depend on the type of tire.
Higher Speeds
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No matter how high quality the tire is, it will begin to wear down eventually. Speed is a factor in how quickly your tire will wear. As the tire speeds up, the materials may expand or deform. This creates heat, which can increase tire tread wear.
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Other Factors
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There are many other factors that can increase tire tread wear. Hard braking, quick acceleration and fast cornering all affect wear. Tires can wear unevenly if the vehicle's alignment is off or if it has bad tie rods. Uneven wear can decrease the life of tires.
When to Replace
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As tires wear, they lose traction. This can be a safety hazard. Replace your tires when the tread gets to 2/32 inch. One quick way to determine the depth of the tread is to use a penny. Insert the penny with the top of Lincoln's head pointed in. If the tread at least reaches the top of Lincoln's head, you still have at least 2/32 inch depth left.
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References
- Photo Credit Tire with a nail image by Scott Griessel from Fotolia.com
