The condition of your tires is something that all drivers should stay on top of. Tire wear affects the handling, comfortability, and safety of your ride. Without proper tire maintenance, your tires may wear unevenly. When your tires wear in an unusual pattern, it can present multiple problems down the line. Below are some popular types of tire wear:
Center Wear
Center wear is precisely what it sounds like. It typically occurs when you over-inflate your tires. Since they protrude more than they're supposed to, the center will make full contact with the road. Please make sure you match your tire inflation to the psi recommended by your automaker.
Side Wear
Side wear is the opposite, and it occurs when the shoulders of tires have more wear than the center. It is a result of driving with under-inflated tires. To prevent wear and tear on your tires, please make sure you properly inflate your tires.
Cupping Wear
Cupping wear is caused by aging shocks and struts, and it is used to describe tires with random dull patches. When your suspension parts wear out, the more bouncy your car rides will feel. Hence, your car tires can not make regular contact with the road. Keep in mind unbalanced, or misaligned wheels can also contribute to cupped tires.
Feathering
Feathering, also known as scuffing, is a state in which the treads on a tire are more worn on one side but have reasonable wear on the other side. This type of uneven wear may be the most challenging to catch. Misaligned wheels and reckless driving usually contribute to this type of wear pattern.
To avoid premature wear on your tires, the most important tip we can give you is to follow your tire maintenance. Furthermore, you should regularly inspect your tires and monitor their pressure.
If you are experiencing any of the tire wear above, please bring your car to South Park Tire & Auto Center soon.