What Causes Uneven Tire Wear?
How to Understand Tire Wear
One of the most common reasons people end up stuck on the side of the road waiting for emergency roadside assistance is something that happened to their tires. Whether you had a nail in your tire or experienced a tire blowout, both scenarios can be stressful and sometimes frightening.
Despite tires being an essential component of your car, signs of needing professional tire service often go unnoticed by automobile owners. If you notice the tires on your car, truck, or SUV showing signs of wear, come see us at Mecklenburg Automotive & Collision Center today to find out how our team of tire service professionals can help keep you on the road.
Here are some common tire wear problems to look for to help prevent you from paying for more expensive tire service in the future.
Three Common Tire Wear Problems
Learn about common tire wear problems and what they mean for your vehicle below.
Center Wear
If you notice that the center of your tire’s tread is wearing down quickly, this is likely an indicator that your tires are overinflated. When tires are overinflated, they will ride along the center of the tread, causing the center of the tread to wear out considerably faster than the remainder of the tire. Be sure to check your tire pressure regularly and refer to your owner’s manual for the appropriate tire pressure for your vehicle.
Edge Wear
Unlike center wear, edge wear can be caused when tires are under-inflated. When you drive on under-inflated tires, the edge of the tire makes the most contact with the road, causing the edges to wear down faster. Though edge wear can also be caused by inadequate tire rotation, consult your owner’s manual for adequate tire pressure for your vehicle. Consider making it a practice to check your tire pressure frequently.
Cupping
If you notice odd smooth patches on your tire or small dips in tread wear, this is known as cupping. In this instance, the culprit is like your vehicle’s suspension system and often indicates that components may be worn out or damaged. If you notice this on your car, consider scheduling an inspection at your earliest convenience to check for any old or damaged parts that need to be replaced.
Certified Tire Service You Can Trust
Whether it’s something as basic as an overinflated or under-inflated tire, or something more serious, understanding the various types of tire wear patterns will help you identify the general health of your car. However, having your tires inspected and rotated every 6,000 miles and regularly checking your tire pressure are two of the best ways to avoid paying for expensive tire service or more serious tire problems.
If the tires of your car, truck or SUV are showing any of the signs of tire wear featured above, come see Mecklenburg Automotive & Collision Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, today. Whether you know what’s going on with the tires of your car, truck, or SUV, or you have a gut feeling that isn’t quite right, our team of ASE-certified tire repair professionals is here to help.
Come see why we are the preferred choice for certified tire service in Charlotte, North Carolina, and learn more about our 24-month/24,000-mile warranty today.