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Uneven Tyre Wear – Causes and Solutions

car Tyre Wear

Tyres are one of the most critical features of any vehicle; they are the only thing that connect your vehicle to the road, and they play a vital role in controlling breaking, acceleration, steering, handling, fuel efficiency and shock absorption. To do their job properly and to keep your car safe, they need to be in top condition. Over time, it’s natural that tyres will suffer wear and tear, but sometimes it doesn’t happen evenly – this can be dangerous. Safe T Tyre is the trusted choice for tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) in Australia, and our aim is to make every car on the road as safe as possible with properly inflated tyres. Read on to learn about a few causes of uneven tyre wear and things that can be done to prevent it.

Poor Wheel Alignment

Wheels can become misaligned if a vehicle is suddenly jarred, such as by driving over a pothole. Proper alignment ensures your car drives the way it should – safely and precisely. However, poor wheel alignment can cause tyres to be pulled in a different direction causing them to move through cycles of slip and grip, wearing down diagonal strips of rubber. Wheels that are out of alignment can also cause one-sided tread wear – this means your tyres are on a slight lean, pressing one shoulder more firmly into the ground than the other.

Solution: If you notice one-side or diagonal wear you should book your car in for a wheel alignment.  

Damaged Wheels

Potholes, bad roads, and minor curb impacts can twist the edge of the wheel or break the structure in the wheel. This may bring about unpredictable tyre wear such as patchy wear, feathering or excessive one-sided wear.

Solution – have your wheels examined by a professional. If it is determined that they are the cause of the irregular wear then you may need to have your wheels and/or tyres replaced.

Improper Tyre Pressure

Tyres that are under-inflated or over-inflated can cause erratic wear of tyre tread, including:

Excessive centre wear – If the centre tread looks worn but the shoulders don’t, this is a sign of over-inflation. Too much air causes the centre of the tyre to bulge slightly which presses it harder into the road and causing it to wear quicker. Over-inflation can affect braking, compromise handling, and create an unpleasant ride.

Excessive shoulder tread wear – Tread wear on both shoulders but not in the centre is an indication of under-inflation. Under-inflation can increase rolling resistance, increase fuel consumption, and also affect braking performance.

Solution – Appropriate inflation as per the manufacturers’ suggestions will help to prevent uneven tyre wear. Check the door jamb, the driver’s manual or inside the petrol cap for the recommended PSI. Regularly checking your tyre pressure is recommended. 

One of the best solutions for maintaining the correct air pressure at all times is with the installation of a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This innovative device constantly monitors the pressure in car’s tyres and alerts the driver to any significant changes in pressure.

Order a TPMS Today

Many new vehicles come with a TPMS factory fitted, but for older vehicles a retrofit option is deal.

Safe T Tyre is Australia’s favourite supplier of high-quality and affordable tyre pressure monitoring systems suitable for cars, caravans, trucks, trailers and more. Our tyre pressure monitoring system is hands-down the best way to extend the life of your tyres, increase fuel efficiency and increase your safety on the road. To purchase yours today, get in touch with us online or call 1800 876 700 now.