What Causes Wear on Both Sides of the Tire but Not in the Middle?
2 Answers
Tire wear on both sides but not in the middle is caused by insufficient inflation or prolonged overloading. The increased contact area of the tire crown and the bulging of the tire shoulders cause the shoulders to bear more weight, leading to accelerated wear. This is due to the tire sides bulging outward and rubbing against each other because of low pressure or overloading. Solution: Adjust the tire pressure to the normal range and avoid overloading. Impact of Tire Wear on Vehicles: Tire wear causes the tread pattern to become shallower. On dry roads, traction is not affected, and when the tread is completely worn, traction may even improve because the tire's contact area increases. However, on wet or snowy roads, traction significantly decreases because the tread pattern's function is to expel water between the tire and the road—this is also why tread patterns are directional. Shallower treads reduce drainage performance, preventing water from being quickly expelled, leading to wheel slippage and potential loss of vehicle control. Additionally, uneven wear from worn tires can cause vehicle vibration, steering drift, braking drift, and skidding. Tire Maintenance: Regularly monitor tire pressure, as it is critical to tire health—both overinflation and underinflation can severely impact tires. Perform wheel alignment periodically, as proper alignment significantly reduces abnormal tire wear. Adopt good driving habits, which not only extend tire lifespan but also ensure driving safety.
I've seen this phenomenon many times where the sides of the tires are worn out while the center remains intact. After driving for a long time, I've realized it's mainly due to insufficient tire pressure. When the pressure is too low, the vehicle's weight is entirely on the tire shoulders, causing less contact with the road in the middle, hence no wear. Driving like this not only consumes more fuel but also increases the risk of a blowout. I remember a similar situation with my car last winter; I didn't pay much attention at the time, and the edges of the tire got completely worn out while the center was still fine. Since then, I've been using a simple handheld pressure gauge to check the tire pressure every two weeks, keeping it around the recommended value on the door label. If the problem persists, it's necessary to check the suspension or get a wheel alignment. Don't force it to avoid accidents.
