Having the proper tires on your car ensures your safety, the safety of your passengers, and other drivers. Tire maintenance includes keeping them inflated to their correct pressure, keeping them aligned, and making sure they maintain a tread pattern.
Why Is Tire Tread Important?
Tire tread is important for helping you maintain control of your car, especially during unfavorable weather conditions. For most states, the minimum tire tread depth is 2/32 of an inch. When your tire's depth falls below this point, it's time to replace them.
What Causes Excessive Wear and Tear on Your Tires?
The different factors that cause wear and tear on your tires include:
- Improper tire inflation
- Misaligned tires
- Driving patterns
Everyone drives differently and different driving pattern can quickly wear your tires, including:
- Hard braking
- Fast acceleration
- Driving at fast speeds
- Spinning your tires
What Are the Different Types of Tire Wear?
Cupping
The irregular up and down movement of the tire causes cupping. This type of tire wear causes worn out, patchy spots on your tires. Cupping is also known as scalloping or scalloped tire wear. Tires that have cupping wear produce a distinct rumbling noise when you accelerate to high speeds.
Inner-Edge and Outer-Edge Wear
Problems with your wheel's alignment cause inner or outer-edge tire wear. This type of tire wear can appear excessively worn on the inner or outer edges of the tire. Inner-edge and outer-edge tire wear is also known as camber wear or toe wear.
Feathering
Improper wheel alignment can also cause feathering tire wear. Unlike other types of tire wear, feathering is difficult to detect with the naked eye. If you run your fingers across the surface of the tire, you will notice one side of your tire is severely worn while the other side has ample tread.
Center Rib Wear
Overinflated tires cause center rib tire wear. When you overinflate your tires, you're increasing the pressure in the tire's inner walls, making them stiff. Overinflating your tires decreases your tire's overall performance.
If you suspect an issue with your tires or need assistance with your tires, we're your auto repair shop! Bring your vehicle in for a professional tire inspection today.