Types of Tire Wear
The tires of a vehicle are one of the most important components to that vehicles quality of operation. While tires are manufactured to last as long as possible, it is unlikely that an indestructible tire will ever exist. Tires will wear over time, and it is up to the owner of the car or truck to properly maintain and ensure the lifespan of the tires. Knowing how to identify different tire wear can go a long way in proper tire maintenance.
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Regular Tire Wear
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Tires are designed and manufactured to wear efficiently over the course of their life span. This wear should be evenly distributed across the treads of the tires. Evenly distributed tire wear occurs only when all driving conditions are nominal, and the vehicle is properly maintained.
Rear or Front Wheel Wear
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On front- or rear-wheel-drive vehicles, power is distributed to either the front or the rear wheels. On these vehicles, it is not unheard of for the tires of the power wheels to wear faster than the others. This is most likely the result of an aggressive driver who uses the gas pedal too liberally when accelerating from a stopped position. This wear pattern is easily remedied by controlling the acceleration of the vehicle at a conservative level.
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One Side Wear
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Misaligned wheels can cause one side of the tire to wear faster than the other. When this happens, it is because the camber is not properly set, and the wheels are tilted too far in or out. This is a common problem for cars and trucks, and can easily be fixed by having the vehicle's alignment properly set.
Cupping
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The suspension components are under constant wear and tear. When these components become overly worn or bent, they can cause cups or dips to appear on the edge of either side of the tire. When this condition is present, the affected wheel's suspension components will usually need to be replaced.
Under Inflation
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When the tires' air pressure becomes too low, the outer edges of the treads will bare more contact with the road, and this will force them to wear faster than the rest of the tire. This is a common tread wear pattern that can go unseen for a long enough time to render the tire to be "worn out." Regularly checking the pressure of the tires can greatly reduce the chances of this happening.
Over Inflation
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Similar to under-inflated tires, over inflation can cause irregular wear. When the tire pressure is higher than the suggested limit, the center treads will wear at a more rapid rate than the outer treads. Like under-inflated tires, when this condition goes too long without proper attention, the tires can eventually become worn beyond use.
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