Increased rubber prices: This is how you increase the lifespan of your tires

Electricity, tomatoes and coffee have all been putting a dent in our wallets lately. Now comes the next household expense: tires.

The fact that costs for Swedish households are increasing is probably no secret. And soon it will be time for the familiar activity for all car owners: changing tires. And like other goods, new winter or summer tires can be an expensive story this year. But there are things we car drivers can do to reduce the impact on the wallet. We took a real tire professional on the pulse and got his best tips!

Price increases due to the unrest

The pandemic and subsequent problems with both access and deliveries have forced the tire industry to raise its prices. Then came the war in Ukraine and added further pressure. Since the country is a supplier of carbon black, the carbon powder that is added to increase wear resistance and also colors tires black, deliveries have been difficult. This has contributed to the industry having to raise tire prices by an average of 20 percent.

Per Linder, product manager at Continental , tells you what you as a consumer can do to keep costs down, without compromising on safety.

1. Check the air pressure often! Too low an air pressure reduces the life of the tires and also increases the consumption of a gasoline or diesel-powered car. What about electric cars? Too low an air pressure affects the range, a matter of concern for all electric car drivers. Many gas stations have equipment both for measuring the pressure and for filling up. The recommended air pressure for your particular car can be found on the tank cap, on the pillar between the rear and front doors or in the car's instruction manual.

2. Storage and care! Increase the lifespan through proper storage. The space should be dark and the temperature should be cool and even. Feel free to clean the tires to maintain the properties of the tires. Per's best tip is to use plain water. Skip expensive special cleaning, his experience is that such risks drying out the tires.

3. Accelerate reasonably! Do you have a powerful car? Congratulations and have fun! But keep in mind that too much acceleration can cause increased wear on the tires. Gentle acceleration is preferable.

Bonus tip: Don't follow the trend of friction tires in the summer.

Some people see it as a cost-saving tip to drive on the same tires all year round. However, since the rubber compounds in summer tires and winter tires are different from each other and have properties that are specific to each season, this is not a good idea.

A winter tire in the summer becomes too soft and sloppy, which leads to longer braking distances, among other things.

Expert tips for changing tires in winter

From December 1st, it is mandatory to have winter tires, if there are winter road conditions. But the sudden morning slip can strike much earlier than that. Per Linder also shares his tire change tips:

1. Switch to winter tires well in advance – when the thermometer reaches 7 degrees, it may be time. Start checking tread depth and condition now and you'll be prepared. Keep in mind that studded tires may only be used during the period October 1 - April 15.

2. Think about the winters where you live. How are the roads? Are the plow truck and salt truck out right now? Choose studded tires if there are harsher winters in your region, in milder conditions friction tires work fine.

3. Choose premium tiresThe climate in the Nordic countries places high demands on winter tires and the cheapest is probably not the best. Check out tests by, for example, Vi Bilägare or Teknikens Värld before making your purchase.

4. Do you drive an electric car? Good to know about electric cars is that due to their high weight they often need larger tires. The high weight can also increase wear, compared to a conventional car. At Continental, we have worked with car manufacturers to develop tires that are suitable regardless of fuel, making it easier for you to choose, simply.

Good luck with your tire change this year and next year!