Tires are a big part of what allows your vehicle to steer accurately, stop quickly, and drive smoothly. They can also help improve your gas mileage. Unfortunately, they’re one of the components that will wear out comparatively quickly. Constant rubbing against the ground, the entire weight of the vehicle and its occupants bearing down upon them, takes its toll. With enough wear and tear accumulated, you could face a blowout.
When everything is working well, the wear on your tires should be about even, both on the treads themselves and around the circumference. If it’s not, then there’s a problem you should address.
There are four main reasons why your tires could be worn unevenly: improper inflation, poor alignment, unbalanced wheels, and even broken or bent wheels.
Improper Inflation
If your tires are either over-inflated or under-inflated, the wear will be irregular across the width of the tire treads. Luckily, it’s easy to diagnose whether a tire is over-inflated or under-inflated beyond just looking for a flat-looking tire.
If the sides of the tire treads are worn down more than their center, this means the tire is under-inflated. However, wear in the middle of the tread instead of the sides means the tire is over-inflated.
Aren’t sure what the proper inflation is in your car or truck? The manufacturer’s recommendations can be found in your vehicle’s owner’s manual or on the label found on the driver’s side door jamb.
Luckily, this is a problem that can easily be fixed by the driver.
Poor Wheel Alignment
The wheels of an automobile are attached independently to it by a suspension system that utilizes multiple interconnected links and adjustment points. If these adjustments are not set to the car manufacturer’s specifications, they aren’t going to be aligned properly. Bad alignment adjustments can result in a variety of irregular wear patterns.
Wheels must be aligned by a trusted mechanic, as the suspension system is quite complex.
Unbalanced Wheels
Uneven tire wear is also a side-effect of unbalanced wheels. This can affect your entire tire assembly and cause vibrations. This is because the wheel and tire don’t rotate smoothly around the axle, bouncing or wobbling as they rotate. A mechanic will be required to balance your wheel and tire assemblies and return your vehicle to good working order.
Broken or Bent Wheels
Your wheels’ steel or alloy rims should never be bent or cracked. Normally, the rubber of a well-inflated tire provides some protection, but if you drive with a flat for too long or hit large potholes, the metal may bend or crack. Steel rims are more likely to bend, while alloy rims are more likely to crack.
Regardless, this can cause the tire to vibrate as you drive, which results in irregular tread wear. A mechanic will be able to inspect the wheel and tell you if this is what’s causing your tire wear.
How to Prevent Tire Problems
It’s wise to check your vehicle’s tire pressure about once a month and inflate or deflate as necessary. Having your wheels aligned periodically should also be part of your regular maintenance.
