Should Tires Be Replaced Due to Uneven Wear?
3 Answers
Tires should be replaced if they exhibit uneven wear. Below are the reasons for uneven wear: Four-Wheel Alignment Issues: If uneven tire wear occurs on a new car, it is usually due to incorrect four-wheel alignment parameters set during the vehicle's production. If the uneven wear appears on the front tires, it can generally be resolved by adjusting the front-wheel alignment parameters. However, if it occurs on the rear tires, it is a design issue caused by incorrect rear-wheel toe-in settings. This problem cannot be fixed by adjusting the rear-wheel parameters because the vehicle's rear suspension is a torsion beam structure, which does not allow for independent adjustment of alignment parameters. The only solutions are to replace the entire rear torsion beam suspension or to readjust the installation angle of the torsion beam. Tire Pressure-Related Issues: Low tire pressure: Causes wear on both side edges of the tire. High tire pressure: Leads to wear in the center of the tire. In such cases, the solution is relatively simple—either release some air or add more air as needed.
Tire uneven wear is something to take seriously. As an experienced driver, I've seen too many accidents caused by neglecting this issue. Unstable tire pressure or misaligned wheel alignment can cause one side of the tire to wear out faster, directly reducing grip in rainy conditions and doubling the risk of skidding during emergency braking. If the tread depth is below 1.6mm or the steel belt layer is exposed, you must replace the tire immediately. However, before replacing, make sure to address the root cause, such as getting a precise alignment check for the suspension, otherwise the new tire won't last more than six months. Develop a habit of checking tire pressure monthly and rotating tire positions quarterly to ensure even wear across all four tires, which saves money in the long run.
Whether to replace unevenly worn tires depends on the extent of wear and the thickness of your wallet. I've seen cases where owners tried to save money by pushing their luck, only to end up with a blowout mid-journey. If the tread depth is still sufficient and the fabric layer isn't exposed, you can first perform a four-wheel alignment and adjust the suspension to get by for a few more months. However, if the tires have already worn down to the safety indicators or show signs of cracking or bulging, spending a few hundred bucks on new tires is definitely not an area to cut corners. There's also hidden economics to consider: unevenly worn tires increase fuel consumption and produce unbearable noise at high speeds, making early replacement more cost-effective in the long run. It's recommended to install two new tires on the drive wheels and move the old ones to the rear wheels as a transitional measure.
