Common causes of uneven/premature tyre wear and how to prevent them
Tyres play a big role when it comes to vehicle performance as well as the safety of the people on board.
Tyres connect and distribute the vehicle’s weight onto the road surface, whilst providing a comfortable ride quality.
Tyres can often experience unusual tread wear patterns like flat spots and extreme wear, these premature wear are caused by numerous factors which, if not looked after properly can eventually lead to serious safety hazards.
In this article, we are going to share with you some of the most common causes that lead tyres to have uneven/premature wear as well as some useful tips on how to prevent them.
Common reasons and how to prevent them:
Two of the most common causes of early and irregular tyre wear are:
- Inappropriate inflation pressure
- Incorrect wheel alignment.
Tyre Inflation
Incorrect tyre pressure is one of the most common causes that lead to uneven/premature tyre wear in most vehicles on the road. It shouldn’t be overlooked as this plays an important role when it comes to the tyre performance, durability and the car’s balance.
Over-inflating your tyres can lead to serious safety hazards, such as tyre blow out, unstable ride quality and possible braking issues.
An over-inflated tyre can be spotted by uneven/excessive wear in the middle/center, which throws off the balance of the car and reduces contact
with the road surface.
When a tyre is under-inflated, it will appear to have uneven wear on both the inner and outer edge of the tyre.
Lower tyre pressure can often lead to a higher fuel consumption and also cause strain on some of the car’s components such as suspension, axles and transmission to name a few…
To prevent over-inflation or under-inflation,
Properly inflate your tyres by following the recommended manufacturer’s tyre pressure specification located on the inside of the driver’s door or inside the vehicle’s owner manual.
Also, make sure to both visually and physically inspect your tyres every now and then before and after long trips.
Wheel alignment
Wheel alignment refers to an adjustment to a vehicle’s suspension.
The alignment system connects the suspension to the wheels. It is not an adjustment of the wheels or tyres themselves.
The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the wheels, which affects how the wheels and tyres make contact with the road. Each car has a unique wheel alignment supplied/recommended by the manufacturer.
Incorrect wheel alignment can negatively affect the vehicle’s steering, suspension and, it can ultimately affect your safety.
Having correct wheel alignment will not only SAVE YOU MONEY by helping your tyres last longer, it will also KEEP YOU SAFER from any kinds of accidents.
A car’s wheel alignment can be thrown off by constant change of driving terrain or bad driving habits such as not slowing down on speed bumps or potholes.
Signs of bad/incorrect wheel alignment include:
- Radial wear along either side of the tyre (inner or outer)
- Shaky/vibrating steering wheel
- Car sliding under braking
- Car pulling to the side while driving
Types of tyre wear and their possible causes
Wear pattern on tyre | Possible cause |
Radial wear along one side of the tyre. | Incorrect alignment. |
Scattered wear along various spots of tyre tread. | The tyre could be out of balance. |
Radial wear along the crown section of the tyre. | Signs of over inflation. |
Radial wear along both shoulders of the tyre. | Signs of under inflation. |
Diagonal wear along tyre tread. | Possible worn out suspension components. |
Tips on how to minimize uneven / premature tyre wear
It’s normal for tyres to wear out with time, the average motorist drives around 15,000 to 20,000 Km a year, which means that the average high-quality all-season tyre should last somewhere between three and five years, depending on maintenance, driving style and conditions, etc.
Here are a couple of tips to help you minimize premature or uneven tyre wear:
- Avoid driving over potholes or speed bumps at high speed
- Respect service intervals
- Avoid overloading your car
- Perform regular tyre pressure checks every 2-3 weeks
- Buy high-quality tyres
- Avoid bumping into kerbs at awkward angles as this can also affect the tyre alignment
- Check the pressure and tread of all your tyres, including the spare at least once a month, before going on a long trip carrying extra load
- Regularly examine tyre wear pattern to see if certain tyres or areas are showing excessive or uneven tyre wear.
Adhere to the manufacturer’s specific inflation pressures as they are essential for optimal performance, handling, ride comfort, as well as tyre lifespan. Failing to do so puts the tyres under stress and not allow them to perform optimally.
Conclusion
Uneven wear will not only decrease the lifespan of the tyre, they will also affect your car’s handling capability, increase fuel consumption, reduce steering response, compromises braking and traction, increases the risk of tyre leaks or bursts, and puts your overall safety at risk.
We highly recommend taking your vehicle to your nearest tyre shop or to your preferred servicing centre, If your tyres are showing any of the signs mentioned above to prevent any further damages.
We hope that this article has been insightful and has provided you with enough information about uneven/premature tyre wear patterns and how to to prevent them.
We at autosupply offer a wide range of high quality tools and equipments, as well as other car related products. make sure to visit autosupply.co.za to browse through our product range.