Tread Wear Patterns

Tire tread wear patterns allow you to check if you have proper inflation or not. By studying the tread wear pattern, one can gain knowledge regarding the air pressure, balance and alignment of the wheels. The correct way to observe tread wear is by inspecting the front profile of the tire, when the vehicle is stationary for quite some time. If you check for the wear patterns immediately after driving the vehicle, you may not get accurate reading. Even driving the vehicle for a mile can cause substantial deviation from its actual pattern. Hence, it is a must to allow the vehicle to be motionless for a considerable time.

How to Check Tire Tread Wear Patterns

Depending upon the inflation, alignment and balance of the wheels, the wear patterns are classified as below.

Under-Inflation
A distinct tread wear pattern is observed due to consistent under inflation. Due to less air in the tire, the edges of the tire make increased contact with the ground. This results in wearing out of edges of the tire. Soft tires decrease the performance of the vehicle as it has to work harder than normal. It also decreases the fuel efficiency of the vehicle as it poses resistance to rolling. Under-inflation results in production of excessive heat and premature wearing of tires. To resolve the problem of under-inflation, always fill the air up to the recommended PSI mark.

Over-Inflation
Over-inflation refers to the condition in which the tire is filled with excess air. Due to increased air, only the center of the tire makes contact with the ground, resulting in more wearing than the edges. Thus, if you notice a more worn out middle portion of the tire, then you need to deflate your tire a little. Hard tires make the vehicle difficult to control, thereby increasing the risk of accidents. Also, there is always a possibility of tire blowing up at higher speeds. To overcome this problem, slowly release bursts of air until you reach the recommended PSI mark.

One Side Wear
If the tread pattern shows a noticeable wearing of one edge, while the other seems normal, it could be the result of misalignment of the wheels. In this case, either the outer edge or the inner edge wears more than the other edge. The problem may originate due to wearing out of certain parts like ball joints or control arm bushings. Oftentimes, overloading can disturb the alignment of the wheels. Hence, it is important to keep a check on the load in your vehicle.

Uneven Wearing
When you notice an uneven tread wear pattern, you can attribute the problem of misalignment or imbalance of the wheels. In such case, you can see bald spots, cups or scallops on the surface of the tire. Many a time, you may not be able to see these uneven patches, but they can be easily felt by moving your palm over the surface of the tire. To solve the problem, check for the worn out parts and correct the alignment, balance of the vehicle.

If you fail to notice any of the above mentioned tread wear patterns, then be sure that your tire has worn out beyond the legitimate tolerance. To confirm this, take a penny test, which may help you to understand the extent of wearing. Take a penny and insert it in the tread groove with the Lincoln's head upside down. If you see all of Lincoln's head then you have got an excessively worn out tire. Needless to say, you should replace your tire as soon as possible.

Tread wear patterns must be always inspected using reliable tread gauge. The inspection should be done as frequently as possible. Early signs of trouble can help you prevent it and increase the life of your tire.