Why Are My Tires Wearing on the Outside Edge? 

Have you looked at your tires and noticed that the outside edge is wearing faster than the rest of the tread? Maybe the center of the tire still looks pretty good, but the outer shoulder is becoming noticeably worn.

Tires wearing on the outside edge is something we see regularly at Tim’s Quality Car Care, and there isn’t always one simple answer. Tire wear can tell us quite a bit about what’s happening with your vehicle, which is why we like to look at the whole picture rather than simply replacing the worn tires.

 

Here are a few common reasons your tires may be wearing on the outside edge:

1. Your Tires Aren’t Being Rotated Regularly

One possible cause is simply leaving the tires in the same position for too long.

Front tires have a tough job. They steer the vehicle, handle a large portion of the braking forces, and on front-wheel-drive vehicles, they also have to transfer engine power to the road.

This can be especially noticeable on heavier front-wheel-drive cars, SUVs, and light trucks. If the tires aren’t rotated regularly, the outside shoulders of the front tires can wear faster than the rear tires.

NHTSA notes that regular tire rotation helps reduce irregular wear and extend tire life.

 

2. Your Vehicle May Have an Alignment Problem

Another common cause of outside tire wear is incorrect wheel alignment.

Alignment describes the angles at which your wheels and tires contact the road. When those angles aren’t correct, part of the tire can be forced to carry more load or scrub against the pavement as you drive.

Here in New Orleans, we also have to consider why the alignment changed.

Sometimes a pothole or hard impact knocks the alignment out. Other times, the underlying problem is a worn or damaged steering or suspension component, such as a control arm bushing, ball joint, tie rod, or another component that helps maintain the position of the wheel.

Simply adjusting the alignment without addressing a worn component won’t solve the underlying problem. That’s why paying attention to every detail matters.

 

3. Your Tire Pressure May Be Too Low

Incorrect tire pressure can also contribute to abnormal tire wear.

When a tire is under inflated, its shape changes as it travels down the road, which can increase wear toward the shoulders of the tire.

NHTSA recommends checking tire pressure at least once a month when the tires are cold and using the pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer. Proper inflation isn’t just about tire life. It also affects handling, fuel economy, and safety. At Tim’s Quality Car Care, our crew is always happy to check and adjust your tire inflation whenever you need it, whether you’re in for service or just stopping by for a quick check.

 

 

4. Driving Conditions Can Contribute to Outside-Edge Wear

Sometimes the way and where a vehicle is driven contributes to the wear pattern.

Frequent cornering, stop-and-go city driving, vehicle loading, and our less-than-perfect New Orleans streets can all affect how quickly tires wear. Potholes and road impacts can also damage tires, wheels, steering components, and suspension components or contribute to alignment problems.

That’s why we don’t like to look at the tire by itself. We want to understand why it wore the way it did.

 

We Check Your Tires at Every Visit

At Tim’s Quality Car Care, tire wear, tire health, tire age, and tire pressure are all checked as part of our Digital Vehicle Inspection at every visit. Our technicians look at the condition of your tires along with steering and suspension components that may affect tire wear. If we see something unusual, we’ll show you what we’re seeing and explain what it means. Our goal is to help you get the most safe and useful life possible from your tires.

 

Buying Tires? Ask About Tim’s Tire Protection Plan

Tim’s Quality Car Care sells tires, and we offer our Tire Protection Plan to help take some of the stress out of owning them. The plan includes free tire rotation and balancing when you visit Tim’s for service. That last part is especially important because regular rotation can help promote more even tire wear and help you get more life from your investment.

 

Are you concerned about uneven tire ware? Lets the mechanics at Tim’s see what is going on. Make a reservation today!