Tyre wear Signs, Symptoms & Corrections.

Are your tyres showing signs of abnormal wear ? Let me talk you through what to look out for and how to solve the problem.

I'll teach you how to check if your tyres are wearing irregularly and understand the underlying problems this might signal.

Tyres wear over time - well it's normal to have to replace your tyres at some point. However, it's important to look out for signs of abnormal tyre wear, too, as this could be a sign of a more serious problem. Leaving these potential issues unchecked could cause a risk to your safety on the roads.

But not to worry, I'm here to help you spot any problems as early as possible, keeping your car safe to drive, as well as saving you from having to pay out for a new set of tyres before you need to.

What causes abnormal tyre wear?

There are different kinds of abnormal tyre wear, each caused by a variety of issues. These can stem from problems such as suspension or alignment troubles, an internal tyre fault, or the result of driving on underinflated or overinflated tyres.

So how to check for abnormal tyre wear

It's a good idea to inspect your tyres once a month - this goes for both pressure and tread depth. You should also check your tyres before you set off on any long journeys especially if you're going to load your car up let's say for a holiday.

If you're unsure rest assured because if this brief awareness blog doesn't give you piece of mind then I also offer free tyre checks whilst I'm out and about during my daily activities. Simply call the office on 0121 514 7176 and ask for assistance from me at Hometyre South Midlands, the office can then review my diary and advise when I may be in your area. It only takes around an hour, and I'll make sure your pressure and tread depth are as they should be, while also looking for any signs of damage or underlying problems.

Now onto the different kinds of abnormal tyre wear

Top tip: When performing checks at home, turn the steering wheel onto full lock so you can get a better view of your front tyres

Camber wear

How to spot it

The inside edge, outside edge, or shoulder will show considerably more wear than the rest of the tyre.

Source of issue

Camber wear can be caused by: suspension misalignment, a bent strut, a dislocated strut tower, a weak or broken spring, a bent spindle, or collapsed or damaged control arm bushings.

How to fix it

If your wheels need alignment I can perform this from my mobile van with the use of a Super tracker laser system at a time and place of your convenience, simply call 0333 444 5454 to book an appointment.

Feathered directional wear pattern

How to spot it

The tread will feel smooth when rubbing your hand across it one way, but rough when rubbed the other way.

Source of issue

Feathered directional wear patterns can be caused by: toe misalignment, worn tie rod ends, worn idler arms, bent steering linkage or bent steering arms.

How to fix it

If your wheels need alignment I can perform this from my mobile van with the use of a Super tracker laser system at a time and place of your convenience simply call 0333 444 5454 to book an appointment.

Cupped wear pattern

How to spot it

Cups or dips will appear around the edge of the tread.

Source of issue

One of your tyres could be out of balance with the others, or either your struts or shock absorbers could have weakened.

How to fix it

If your wheels need balancing I can perform this within my mobile van at a time and place of your convenience simply call 0333 444 5454 to book an appointment.

Centre of the tread more worn than the shoulders

How to spot it

The centre of your tyres will have worn at a greater rate than the edges.

Source of issue

You may have overinflated one or more of your tyres, causing them to bulge in the middle.

How to fix it

You should check your tyre pressure against the manufacturer's guidelines. The information can be found in your car's manual or sometimes on the inside of your door shut.

Shoulders more worn than the centre

How to spot it

The alternate situation to the above, the edges of your tyres will have worn more than the centre.

Source of issue

You may have underinflated your tyres, which has caused a dip in the centre.

How to fix it

You should look up the recommended tyre pressure, stated in your car's manual.

Checking your tyres regularly can really give you peace of mind - there's a greater chance of avoiding an unexpected incident if you manage to catch any abnormal wearing before it becomes serious.

If you need any professional advice when it comes to spotting the early stages of tyre wear, we're always here to help. Our tyre check service is completely free and is available from all Hometyre franchise operators.