How to Diagnose Tire Wear & Chop Patterns
You can learn a lot about your car just by studying its tires, since different car issues cause different tire wear patterns. Before you can fix your car's problem, you need to know what to look for on your tires. After you figure out your car's issue, see if you can repair the problem yourself. If not, take your car to a professional mechanic so that you can return to driving your car as soon as possible.
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Instructions
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Inspect your tires using a flashlight. Look for signs of scallops or undulating cups on the outer edges of the tires. This can signal that a suspension part in your car is bent or worn out.
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Feel the surface of the tire. Note whether the ridges have a smooth edge and a sharp edge. This is called "feathering." This can signify that your car has a toe-in problem.
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Note whether the second rings of the car's radial tires are more worn out than the other rings. This is called second-rib wear. This issue could mean that your tires are too large and do not fit your wheels properly.
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Keep an eye out for one-sided wear on your tires. This problem can tell you to have the car's wheel alignment adjusted.
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Tips & Warnings
Have your car looked at by a mechanic if you are still unsure what is wrong with it.
Fill your tires to the manufacturer's recommended air pressure level. Tires that are not filled properly can wear out and cause dangers to you and your car.
References
- Photo Credit tire image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
