Tire wear refers to the smooth patches you’ll find on your tires. It reduces the tire’s ability to maintain traction, affecting the smoothness of the ride and increasing the risk of car slips and ineffective braking.
Tires wear out in different ways, and knowing how each type occurs can help you prevent them.
If your front tires are wearing on the inner only, it might be due to misalignment. Misalignment occurs when one side of the tire is tilted inward or outward, causing that side to absorb more pressure from the road and wear out faster. Misalignment can also cause outer tire wear.
Here are the different types of tire wear patterns and what usually causes them:
A tire has center wear when only its middle part is worn out. It usually happens due to overinflation. When the tire’s center is bulging with so much air it’s coming in contact with the ground, that part absorbs all the pressure from driving.
Edge wear is when the edge of the tire is worn-out. It’s caused by underinflation, as the edge sags and makes contact with the road when the tire doesn’t have enough air. Under-inflated tires are also prone to uneven wear, which is often called feathering.
Random smooth patterns on tires are called tire cupping. Worn-out vehicle suspension systems, struts, and shocks usually cause this type of wear.
Patchy or diagonal wear patterns develop when the tires are out of balance. These tires tend to wobble, resulting in a distinct wear pattern on the tires. Out-of-balance tires can also cause vibration in the steering wheel, as you’ll feel the imbalance the faster you go. Needless to say, it’s dangerous to drive with one on the road.
Besides the visible tread wear patterns, here are some tire wear signs you need to look out for:
Some tire wear patterns create vibration while driving, usually due to the tire tread wearing unevenly.
Tire wear can result in damage, like small bulges and cracks. If you spot severe damage on your tire, it might be time to replace it.
Different vehicular issues cause tire wear, but the most common reason is wheel misalignment. Besides that, here are some of the common culprits for tire wear:
Poor tire pressure refers to over or under-inflated tires. Both cases result in one area of the tire sagging and absorbing all the pressure from the road.
Tire rotation involves moving the vehicle’s tires from one position of the vehicle to another. It helps evenly distribute tire wear among the four tires. Without rotation, the tires would develop uneven tire wear; some might have large smooth patches, while others have minimal wear.
The suspension system is made up of different components that hold your wheel and tire in position. Damage in any of these components causes the wheels to wobble, which could result in uneven tire wear.
Similarly, damage within the steering system and a bent tie rod also causes suspension issues.
Damage within the steering system and a bent tie rod also causes suspension issues.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
Reckless driving accelerates tread wear and causes uneven formation, as it places excessive pressure on tires.
Tire wear is inevitable, but there are preventive measures you can take to limit the process. Here are some steps you can follow to prolong the lifespan of car tires:
Keeping track of the air pressure lets you avoid over and under-inflated tires. You can find the proper amount of air pressure on the tires, the driver’s jamb/door, the driver-side passenger jamb/door, the car manual, and inside the fuel cap door, so you’ll know how much pressure your tires must have.
Since the front tires take most of the pressure of stopping and steering, rotating between them with the rear evenly distributes the wear.
Better driving habits include avoiding potholes, slowing down on curves, and more. Doing so prevents wear on the edges of your tire, leaks, or even misaligned wheels.
Proper wheel alignment reduces tire wear and makes for smoother rides. Misaligned wheels may cause your vehicle to pull left or right, which could lead you to hit potholes or curbs. So it’s recommended to regularly have your wheel alignment checked.
Replace your tires when they’re over six years old. The accumulated damage, wear, and tear can increase the risk of car slips and other accidents.
You should also have your tires replaced once they’re severely damaged. Watch out for leaks, punctures, or anything that causes driving discomfort.
Unfortunately, tire wear is irreparable. Because the damage IS on the rubber itself, the only solution is to have the tire replaced.
Fortunately, it’s possible to prolong the lifespan of tires by following precautionary steps, such as maintaining the appropriate air pressure.
It’s not recommended to drive with worn-out tires, as they are safety hazards for you, the passengers, and those around you. Driving with bald tires may cause slips, excess vibration, and difficulty in steering and braking.
Be sure to have worn-out tires checked out and replaced immediately. Attempting to drive with them may cause irreversible damage to your vehicle. Not only that, but they’re massive safety hazards out on the road.
Lok for the symptoms and match them with the different wear patterns to get an idea of what issue your tires are facing. This way, you can take measures to reduce the damage.
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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.