Tire wear says what? In most cases you can tell how someone’s day is going by looking at their face. The thought may not cross the minds of most but to a mechanic, trained eye or to someone who just read this article looking at the face of a tire may be a game changing idea. Due to a mechanic telling you that your tires are wearing funny during an oil change you now start to notice something funny going on.
Tires wear in different patterns such as: inner and outer wear, center wear, edge wear, cupping, wavy, and we’ve even seen patchy wear. These wear patterns can help us help you understand what is going on with your vehicle and will help us reassure the safety of you and your vehicle. Not everyone is a tire expert but this knowledge it free for the taking all you have to do is read it.
Tires wearing funny isn’t necessarily your tires fault. Regardless, when tires start wearing incorrectly the sooner you get the issue(s) resolved the better for you, your vehicle & tires. Letting tire wear continue and run its course can lead to unexpected tire failure and undesirable down time. Don’t chance take any chances, make sure your investment lasts, call an auto repair shop near me today!
Tire/Suspension Repair In Plainfield, IL, Near Me
Tire wear and suspension problems go together like peanut butter and jelly’s. That is why when an issue arises and you find yourself at a suspension shop near me and or near you (depending on where you are located) you’ll find out that the shop also offers tire services in most cases.
Inner/Outer Tire Wear = Alignment
While examining your tires one beautiful summer day you notice that the inner / outer edge area of the tire is oddly wearing down before than the rest of the tire tread. Hmmmmmm, you start thinking to yourself as you begin your search on the internet to soon there after read on our amazing blog article that your vehicle’s wheel alignment is the most likely culprit at fault.
When tires begin to wear in this type of pattern it is indicating that the wheels are leaning too much to one side. Who is to blame in this situation? Our 1st most sure bet would be the alignment is out of whack. But why? You can always stop by our auto shop for a free wheel alignment check. Alignment problems effect both the steering & suspension systems plus in the long run most importantly your safety.
Center Tire Wear = Over-Inflated
Have you been over-inflating your tires? Everyone has seen an inflated balloon, your tires are kind of like a balloon in a way. You fill them properly and it’s all good. You over inflate them, they will blow up like a balloon. Hence, they will round at the top center of the tread area, then begin to wear abnormally in the center section and worse case boom, pop, you know what i’m saying.
Tires are designed to be set to a certain pound per square inch aka P.S.I. aka tire pressure for a few different reasons. Driving consistently on over-inflated tires is like flushing your investment/tires down the toilet prematurely. When tires are over filled, you end up driving on the center of the tread making this section more vulnerable to tires wearing out sooner than later.
Wondering what your tire pressures should be set to? Stop by Last Chance Auto Repair today, we’ll check them out for free of charge, no worries. Trying to take care of it yourself? The designated pressure that the tires are engineered to be set at are typically clearly labeled on the side wall of the tires, within your owner’s manual and or sometimes there is also a tag displayed on the drivers side door jam.
Regardless you should always check your tire pressures regularly!
Edge/Shoulder Tire Wear = Under-Inflated
Resembling the center wear above but in a different way, under-inflated edge wear. This type of tire wear usually occurs when tires as you guessed it, are under-inflated. Have you noticed after perusing your tires a bit that the edge of the tires are looking a little more worn out compared to the center tread? When tires are under-inflated the edges will then have the most contact with the road, which in return will cause the edges to wear more quickly then they should.
Hence the importance to religiously-periodically check and or have checked your tire’s tire pressures and set them accordingly to what the owner’s manual/tire manufacture suggests.
Don’t get me wrong, there is usually always more than one culprit to the story, like in this case. Sometimes this type of tire wear aka edge/shoulder tire wear can be caused by improper tire rotation, hard cornering hence someone driving it like they are related to Evel Knievel.
Cupping/Scalloped Wear = Suspension Problems
Cupped aka scalloped tire tread wear usually points its finger at a suspension related problem hence loose, worn or bent suspension part(s). Shocks and Struts, are the #1 culprit that rolls through our suspension shop’s doors, in this case, on a most regular basis. These extremely important suspension components are what provides the damping force which is needed to control tire movement. When tires move excessively, this cupping/scalloping pattern can appear over time. Need a suspension shop near me?
Patchy/Diagonal Tire Wear = Rotation Time
What is patchy/diagonal tire wear all about you wonder? More than likely your tires are out of balance. In most cases a simple fix. Are you looking for a local tire shop in Plainfield, IL, or nearby towns such as Naperville, Bolingbrook, Romeoville, IL, to rotate your tires? Easy peazy, give us a call at 815-577-0327 and make an appointment for a quick and easy, tire rotation. Keep reading if you want to know more!
After examining your tires it appears that they are wearing in an uneven fashion, it’s time to have your tires rotated for a start. During the rotation service most shops will get a chance to take a closer look at what is all going on. Sometimes it may need more than just a rotation, as in you can have worn suspension-steering parts and it may be in need of an alignment. Rotating your tires regularly, will help protect your investment in the long run by preventing this type of uneven tire wear.
Tire wear only gets worse over time. If left un-rectified to continue its course you will need to spend money on new tires prematurely 100% of the time. Extend the lifespan of your tires by getting your tires, suspension & steering components checked out according to your vehicle’s preventative maintenance schedule. Don’t forget to stay on top of your alignments. They don’t call it preventative maintenance for nothing.
Last Chance Auto Repair Plainfield, IL
Having tire problems hence are your tires wearing funny? Are you due for a suspension alignment and or wheel alignment? Have you been searching for a suspension shop near me that you can count on, trust & afford? No worries, Last Chance Auto Repair in Plainfield, IL, has you covered!