What Causes Tire Wear?
4 Answers
Here are the reasons for tire wear: 1. Inaccurate four-wheel alignment causes the four tires not to be aligned on the standard required horizontal and vertical lines. As a result, the two wheels on the same side may experience tire wear during driving, or the front or rear wheels may not run straight. The vehicle's self-correction leads to abnormal friction and accelerated wear on a specific part of a tire. 2. Inaccurate toe adjustment can cause tire wear. The front wheels slightly tilt inward at an angle, similar to a pigeon-toed stance, which is the optimal angle for high-speed stability. Every vehicle has its own toe angle, and if this angle is not adjusted properly, it can also lead to tire wear, similar to the first reason.
I've changed tires several times, and later an experienced mechanic gave me a lesson. The most common cause of uneven tire wear is misaligned wheel alignment, especially incorrect toe settings. On my car, the inner side of the right front tire was completely worn out, and inspection revealed excessive camber deviation. Suspension system issues can also cause this, such as worn-out lower control arm bushings with excessive play, causing the tire to wobble and grind over bumps. Those who've modified their suspension need to be extra careful – if the coilovers are set too low or the springs don't match, the tire can directly rub against the fender liner. To fix it, first check the alignment data, then inspect for any deformed chassis components. Loose tie rod ends should also be replaced. Don't hit speed bumps too aggressively in daily driving, as excessive impact can easily damage the suspension.
Last month after installing lowering springs, I kept feeling the steering pull to one side. Turned out the inner edges of the front tires were scalloped into wave-like patterns. Lowering the car changed both the camber and toe angles, and not getting an alignment immediately caused this. RWD cars have another issue - thrust angle misalignment, which feels like someone's pulling the car from behind. I remember once when a friend's car hit a curb, the bent axle caused uneven rear tire wear. Diagnosing tire wear isn't just about the tires; checking for shock absorber leaks or failure is crucial - insufficient rebound means loss of tire contact patch control. Overloading is another tire killer, making rear wheels camber inward severely. Now every 5,000 km I measure tread depth - if wear difference exceeds 1mm, I investigate immediately.
After driving a taxi for twenty years, what I fear most is uneven tire wear. When the steering wheel constantly fights you, pay attention—it's likely due to incorrect toe alignment. Inaccurate tire pressure is especially dangerous. Last time, my left front tire was at 2.0 bar while the right front was at 2.6 bar, and within two months, the tires were completely bald. If you notice the steering feels floaty on the highway in summer, stop and check the tires—if they're hot to the touch with rubber debris, it's a clear sign of overinflation. I recommend using a coin to measure tread depth monthly: if the center is shallower than the edges, the tire is overinflated; if the edges are thinner than the center, it's underinflated. Those who've modified their rims should watch the ET value—too much negative offset can cause uneven tire wear. Hard braking that causes the car to fishtail also forces the tires to slide sideways, accelerating wear and posing serious safety risks.
