tire life is significantly reduced on stone-chipped roads [View all]
I swear I'm getting about 30K on tires now.
The following from Perplexity AI:
While precise numerical data (e.g., percentage increase in wear rate) is limited, multiple sources and anecdotal reports support your observation: tire life is significantly reduced on stone-chipped roads, often by 25% or more depending on driving habits, tire type, and frequency of exposure. There is consensus that chip seal surfaces wear tires faster than smoother paved roads, but the exact rate can vary widely based on conditions and tire construction.
For optimal tire durability on these surfaces:
Prefer tires with symmetrical tread patterns, which are less affected by stone trapping and wear unevenness.
Monitor tire condition frequently for chipping and tread depth loss.
Drive gently to minimize slippage and abrasive impact.
The claim that tires rated for 40,000 miles are falling short to about 30,000 miles on stone-chipped roads is strongly supported by both engineering analysis and user experience.