Why is it so important that your tire tread wears down evenly? Heath’s Auto Service would be happy to answer that question. Uneven tire tread wear not only reduces the life – or miles – you’ll get out of your set of tires, but it also creates dangerous driving conditions. Patches of tire tread wear can weaken a tire and cause it to blow out through the thin spot. Here are the things that cause uneven tire tread wear.
Incorrect PSI
Your car, truck, or C/SUV’s tires should always be inflated to the proper psi – pounds-per-square-inch. If they are underinflated (too low) or overinflated (too much air), the tread will wear down unevenly, usually along the edges or center, respectively. It’s important to check your tires’ air pressure regularly, once a month at a maximum, and add air only when they need it.
Misaligned Wheels
Your automobile’s wheel alignment can also affect your tires. The alignment ensures your wheels are pointed straight, both from top-to-bottom and side-to-side, and that they are in line with your suspension and steering. If your wheels are not aligned properly, the wheels will not make direct contact with the road and the tread will wear down in patches.
Unbalanced Wheels
Your wheels also need to be balanced. If they are not balanced, your vehicle will vibrate as you pick up speed. If they are severely unbalanced, you might hear them wobbling and you could lose control of your automobile. The wheels and tires need their individual weights balanced across your vehicle’s axles. If they aren’t, your tire tread will wear down unevenly.
Ignoring Tire Rotations
Finally, tire rotations also help ensure your tire tread wears down evenly. Each tire grips the road a teensy bit differently on each wheel. Each tire also has different brake gears pressing up against it. If you never rotate your tires, they will wear down on the exact spots where they meet the road and the gear presses against them. Rotating them prevents constant pressure in the same spots.
Tire and Wheel Maintenance
You can avoid your tires from wearing down unevenly with proper tire and wheel maintenance. As we said above, you should check the air in your tires at least once a month if not every other week. Wheel alignments should be done at most every two years and whenever you buy new tires. The wheels should be balanced at each rotation and when you buy new tires. Rotate the tires every 6,000 miles.
Heath’s Auto Service, Inc., has your tires and wheels covered. Set up an appointment for service with the best auto shop in Flagstaff, AZ.
