Unevenly worn tires

Tires generally wear at the same rate. However, there are certain issues that can cause uneven wear such as under or over inflation. Uneven wear on tires can cause the vehicle to pull to one side. It is recommended to replace all tires at the same time so they will wear evenly.

Table of Contents

• 1. Symptoms
  • 1.1 Vehicle Pulls to One Side
• 2. Causes
  • 2.1 Improper Tire Inflation
  • 2.2 Wheels Out of Balance

Symptoms

Vehicle Pulls to One Side

If the vehicle pulls to one side, an unevenly worn tire may be the culprit. The tire will have different traction with the road and will not match the other tires. This will cause a slight lean to that side, making the vehicle drift while driving straight.

Causes

Improper Tire Inflation

Tires require a certain amount of air to function properly. Under or over inflation will cause different stresses on the tires as well as force different parts of the tire to contact the road. Since tires wear under normal use, the rate and position of wear will be altered as the tire is used.

Wheels Out of Balance

Wheel balancing insures proper distribution of weight among the tires. If the wheels are out of balance, more weight will be placed on some and less on others. This difference in weight distribution will cause the tires to wear unevenly.