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

Electricity, tomatoes and coffee have all made a hole in our wallets lately. Now comes the next expense for households: the tires.

The fact that the costs for Swedish households are increasing does not seem to have escaped anyone. And soon it's time for the familiar activity of all car owners: the tire change. And like other goods, new winter or summer tires can become an expensive story this year. But there are things we drivers can do to reduce the impact on the wallet. We took the pulse of a real tire pro and got his best tips!

Price increases as a result of 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 put further pressure. Since the country is a supplier of carbon black, the carbon powder added to increase wear resistance and which also colors the tires black, supplies have been hampered. 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! An air pressure that is too low reduces the life of the tires and also increases the consumption of a petrol or diesel-powered car. Electric cars then? Tire pressure that is too low affects the range, a heart issue for all electric car drivers. Many gas stations have equipment both to measure the pressure and to fill up. You can find which air pressure is recommended for your particular car in the fuel cap, on the post between the rear and front doors or in the car's owner's manual.

2. Storage and care! Increase the lifespan through proper storage. The space should be dark and the temperature should be cool and even. Please 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 a one risks drying out the tires.

3. Accelerate reasonably! Do you have a powerful car? Congratulations and good luck to you! But keep in mind that excessive acceleration can cause increased wear on the tires. Calm accelerations are preferred.

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

Some see it as a saving tip to drive on the same tires all year round. However, since the rubber compound in summer tires and winter tires differs from each other and has properties that are specific to the respective seasons, this is not a good idea.

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

The expert's tips for changing tires in winter

As of December 1, winter tires are allowed, if winter road conditions prevail. But the sudden morning slip can strike much earlier than that. Per Linder also shares his tire changing tips:

1. Change to winter tires in good time - when the thermometer reaches 7 degrees, it may be time. Start checking pattern depth and condition already now and you are prepared. Keep in mind that studded tires may only be used during the period 1 October - 15 April.

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

3. Choose premium tires. The climate in the Nordics places high demands on winter tires and the cheapest is probably not the best. Take a look at tests by, for example, Vi Bilägare or Teknikens Värld before 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 and tear, compared to a conventional car. We at Continental have, together with the car manufacturers, developed tires that fit regardless of fuel, easier for you to choose, simply put.

Good luck with the tire change this year and in other years!