If you own a car or you’re a driver, you’ll notice that most car parts do not last the car’s lifespan. Some car parts need to be replaced at a certain interval to keep the vehicle running as it should. Of course, in line with the heading above, we’ll be talking about car tires.
But most people keep wondering why do new car tires wear out so fast. We have this notion that OEM parts should last longer than aftermarket parts since car manufacturers know their cars more than anyone else. New car tires beg to differ in this case.
Here, we’ll answer the question – how long should tires last on a brand-new car? But first, let’s see why new car tires wear out so fast.
Why do new car tires wear out so fast?
The primary reason new car tires bald so fast is the rubber compound used in manufacturing them. Automakers use softer rubber materials in producing factory-fitted tires. This softer rubber material helps to enhance overall vehicle performance but shortens the lifespan of the tires.
On the other hand, tire manufacturers pay more attention to tire longevity. However, if you’re wondering why does my tires wear out so fast, you need to understand that there are other parameters that make car tires bald so fast. Let’s explore these parameters.
While most car manufacturers do not produce their OEM tires, they let tire manufacturers with Solid Gold Reputations produce a unique set of tires. They produce these tires with light rubber materials to enhance performance. For instance, the same tires fitted on your new car are made with softer material from the same tires in the market.
If you’re wondering why did my tires wear out so fast, here are other factors that could be the culprit.
Misalignment
One of the common reasons tires wear out so fast is misaligned wheels. If any wheel is slightly misaligned, the vehicle will be dragging. While you may not notice this drag in the case a slightly misaligned wheels, it’ll cause accelerated wear on the tires.
This may not be common with new car tires, but it happens. Wheel alignment is relatively inexpensive and will save you money in the long term. So it is essential to visit the dealer you bought the car from and have them check and align the wheels.
A misaligned wheel on a new car doesn’t mean you bought a bad ride. Things aren’t always perfect as they seem. You only need to check and align the wheels to put things in order.
Car manufacturers test-run their cars to ensure everything works perfectly before bringing the vehicle to their showroom. However, they do not exert extensive force on the vehicle, like driving over portholes or driving up to 15,000 miles. That said, you don’t have to blame the manufacturer.
Let’s see the following probable reasons if you are asking why are my rear tires wearing out so fast.
Tire rotation
Tire rotation is necessary for all cars and tires. It doesn’t matter whether it is OEM tires on your new ride or your seventh tires on a high-mileage car. Tire rotation involves changing the tire positions to ensure they wear evenly.
There’s a misconception that all car tires wear out evenly unless there’s a faulty suspension component. But that’s not true. For instance, the front wheels do most of the steering and acceleration on front-wheel-drive cars, while the rear tires roll along. By this, the front tires wear faster than the rear ones. So if you were asking why do tires wear out faster in the front? You now know the answer.
Therefore, regular tire rotation is the best way to minimize tire wear. Meanwhile, allow professionals to decide how to rotate the tires. It could be taking the front tires to the back or changing them side by side. Tire rotation is usually done every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Since an oil change is done at this interval, you can rotate your tires whenever you go for an oil change.
Tire pressure
Under or overinflated tires affects the tire tread wear pattern and longevity. So, it’s essential to keep the tires at the recommended PSI. You will find the required PSI on the owner’s manual or a sticker at the driver’s door. You may need to inflate or deflate the current tire air pressure to keep it at the recommended PSI.
I understand that new cars come with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that throws a warning light on the dashboard whenever the system detects low or too much air pressure in the tire. However, you shouldn’t just rely on this tool.
This tool works with different settings, depending on the manufacturer. For instance, the car manufacturer may set the TPMS light to illuminate on the dashboard once the air pressure is 20% lower or higher than the recommended PSI. So, there are chances you’re driving on over or under-inflated tires without the TPMS light on the dashboard.
Therefore, the tire pressure monitoring system is not enough to ensure you’re running with the proper air pressure.
Driving habit
It’s okay to disagree but let me shed more light on this. If you have been driving a particular car for a long time, you probably have become accustomed to it and adopted a particular driving habit. However, when you get a new car, you tend to change your driving style a bit, at least to explore the features of your new ride.
People tend to drive aggressively when they get a new ride, even if it is secondhand. This is pretty fine. You should have fun with your new ride, explore the features, try to slide a bit, and do so many other things. But, of course, this aggressive driving tells on the tires since they are the only part that has direct contact with the road.
How to minimize wearing out new car tires
We have answered questions like why do OEM tires wear out so fast. Let’s look at how to minimize the wear on new car tires. These tips apply to all car tires – whether the tire is new or old.
Adjust your driving habit
This does not mean you shouldn’t explore the features of your new cars, and neither am I asking you not to have fun. You can do all these without driving aggressively. Meanwhile, driving your car like the old one will not stop the tires from wearing out. At least, it’ll minimize the wear.
Regular tire rotation
As reiterated above, tire rotation means periodically changing the tire positions to ensure even wear. This service is done around the time you go for an oil change. Rotating the tires at every oil change will not only save you money in the long run, but it’ll also keep you safe on the road.
Tire rotation is necessary for both new and old tires. In any case, people often think tire rotation is necessary for only older tires. This explains why some folks disregard tire rotation on new wheels or cars.
Scheduled wheel alignment
Always go for a scheduled wheel alignment. Correct wheel alignment helps the tires point in the right direction, steer smoothly, extend the tire longevity, and enhance handling. So, you should periodically check and align your wheels.
Maintain proper air pressure
We explained you shouldn’t depend on the TPMS at all times. Improper tire pressure accelerates tire tread wear and causes issues like tire cupping and inside and outside tire wear. Therefore, check your tire air pressure every time you refill gas or at least twice a month to prevent these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions-FAQs
How long should tires on a brand-new car last?
On average, the original tires on a brand-new car will last 50k miles. The new car tires can last more or less than this, depending on how you handle it. However, several factors, like your driving habits, road conditions, wheel alignment, wheel balancing, and tire air pressure, affect longevity.
Do factory tires wear faster?
Do tires wear faster when they are new? Factory tires or new tires wear out faster because the manufacturers produce them with softer rubber materials. The manufacturers use the softer rubber material because they help to enhance overall vehicle performance. In contrast, other tires are manufactured with stronger rubber compounds.
Are tires covered under the new car warranty?
Your basic car warranty does not cover the new car tires. Instead, the new car tire manufacturer often offers a 36,000 miles warranty on the tires. The information is written in a manual you’ll find in the glove box. However, the tire manufacturer warranty only covers manufacturing defects or premature wear.
Why do my tires only last 2 years?
Generally, tires should last more than two years. You have a problem if your tires only last two years. It could be the wheel valve is bad, you have misaligned wheels, imbalanced wheels, lack of tire rotation, suspension issues, or you regularly travel on bad roads.
How long should good tires last?
As with new car tires, several factors, like your driving style, road conditions, alignment, balancing, rotation, and suspension systems, determine how long a good car tire will last. However, a good tire should last around four to five years or 60,000 to 75,000 miles.
Final Words
If you have been reading to this point, you’ll no longer ask why do new car tires wear out so fast or how good tires are on new cars. We’ve outlined the primary reasons new car tires wear out so fast and other probable reasons. We have also explained how to minimize the wear rate in a simplified way. So, follow the above tips religiously to maximize your new car tire lifespan.
