Tire Feathering: What It Is, Causes, and More

Reviewed by

Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Technical Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on June 19th, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Summary
  • Tire feathering is when the tire develops diagonal wear patterns across the tread ribs.
  • Issues that can cause tire feathering include misalignment, worn suspension parts, unbalanced tires, bad wheel bearings, poor tire quality, underinflated tires, and tire runout.
  • You can prevent tire feathering by having your wheels aligned, following proper tire pressure, and ensuring regular tire rotation.

While tire maintenance is crucial in safe and efficient driving, it’s easy to overlook signs of wear that could increase the risk of accidents.

One such issue is tire feathering, where the ribs develop an unusual pattern that resembles a feather. It could affect how well your vehicle responds when you accelerate, brake, or make turns, so it pays to watch out for it.

What Is Tire Feathering?

Tire feathering, also known as tire cupping, is when the tread ribs develop a series of diagonal wear patterns rather than wearing evenly across the tread. It’s called as such because the edge of the tread blocks is uneven or jagged, which resembles a feather’s edge.

What Causes Tire Feathering?

Many issues can cause tire feathering, including misalignment, worn struts/shocks, unbalanced tires, bad wheel bearings, poor tire quality, underinflated tires, and tire runout.

Misalignment

Tire alignment is the adjustment of the suspension system, which connects the vehicle to the tires. Alignment means the angles of all the tires should make even contact with the road.

The three measurements used to ensure the wheels are aligned are the caster, toe in/out, and camber.

  • The caster refers to how far behind or forward the steering axis is in relation to the vertical axis as viewed from the side.
  • Toe in/out is how much the tires turn inward or outward when viewed from above.
  • The camber is the measurement of how inward or outward the tire’s angle is as viewed from the front.

Misaligned tires cause the wheels to bounce, resulting in feathering.

Worn Suspension Parts

As mentioned, the suspension system works directly with the wheels, so any issues with its parts could cause feathering.

One component within the suspension system is the shock absorber, which controls the movement of a vehicle’s suspension and spring to keep the tires in contact with the road.

It typically needs replacement after about 60,000 miles because a worn-out or damaged shock results in a bouncy ride, which leads to feathering.

Unbalanced Tires

Unbalanced tires refer to the uneven weight distribution among the tires, leading to one or two making more contact with the road than the rest.

To fix this issue, you’ll have to take your vehicle to an auto shop and have the tires balanced.

Mechanics would mount the tires and wheels on a machine that spins the wheel assembly to see where the imbalance is. Then, they’ll typically install tire weights on the unbalanced tires to even the weight out.

You can have this service done at the same time as an alignment.

Bad Wheel Bearing

Wheel bearings let the wheels freely spin while reducing rolling friction. They enable efficient wheel rotation to ensure they run smoothly and maintain correct wheel tracking.

They usually last for more than 100,000 miles. But, like many components, wheel bearings are susceptible to damage due to dirt and debris. You could also damage the bearings if you frequently drive on uneven terrain.

A worn wheel bearing could result in you losing control of the vehicle, braking issues, and tire feathering.

Poor Tire Quality

Tires made from less durable materials wear quicker than high-quality tires, especially when exposed to extreme temperatures or constant use. Not only will this result in feathering, but you could face other tire-related issues, like longer braking distance, increased fuel economy, and more.

Underinflated Tires

Every tire has a specific PSI (pound per square inch) to ensure proper inflation. Going below the recommended PSI results in underinflation, which opens up a can of worms of potential issues. One such issue is feathering because the contact patches don’t touch the road as they should.

Besides the increased and uneven wear, underinflated tires could also result in poor handling. The vehicle could pull hard to one side, excessively vibrate when you drive, or give a “loose” feeling when turning.

You can usually find the recommended tire pressure on a sticker inside the driver’s door, the owner’s manual, or the tires themselves. Make sure to stick to the recommended PSI, as going over it could lead to other issues caused by overinflation.

Tire Runout

Tire runout, also known as out-of-round, is when a tire is no longer perfectly round, resulting in an imbalance within the tire itself. Runouts don’t usually affect performance unless they reach a critical point where vibration and wear become noticeable.

There are two types of runout: radial and lateral. Radial is the more common type, which has to do with the distance between the tread and the center of the wheel. Meanwhile, lateral is the distance between the center and the edge of a tire’s tread.

Tire runouts are usually caused by improper tire installation or poor-quality tires. They result in excessive vibrations, which lead to feathering.

How to Prevent Tire Feathering

If you can, have your tires checked and aligned every six months.

Some things you can do to fix and prevent tire feathering include ensuring your wheels are aligned, following the proper tire pressure, and regularly rotating your tires.

Have the Wheels Aligned

Besides causing tire feathering, misaligned wheels can also accelerate tire wear and tear. Driving while your wheels are misaligned is also risky because it can cause drifting or shaking, which can make driving difficult.

If you can, have your tires checked and aligned every six months. The process doesn’t take long, as it usually only lasts an hour or so, depending on the vehicle’s circumstances.

Following Proper Tire Pressure

As mentioned, following the proper PSI helps prolong a tire’s lifespan. Stick to the recommended pressure to avoid over and underinflation, both of which could harm the wheels.

Ensure Regular Tire Rotation

Tire rotation is when you change the position of each tire. This allows wear to spread evenly among all four tires to maximize their tread life.

Manufacturers usually have a recommended interval between each rotation, so it’s best to refer to the owner’s manual or website. A general rule of thumb is every 5,000 miles or when you should get your oil changed.

Reviewed By Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Technical Reviewer at CarParts.com

Tony Harlin is a Master Gas and Diesel Diagnostic Technician with over 18 years of experience. He works full-time at a large independent automotive shop as a driveability and repair technician working on all types of vehicles with a focus on diesels. ASE certifications include A1-A9, L1 and L2, as well as X1.

Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.

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Published by
CarParts.com Research Team and Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician