Jack Williams

Tread Lightly: What Your Tires Can Tell You

Checking out the wear on your tires is an easy way and a good indicator to evaluate the health of your vehicle. Abnormal wear patterns are often caused by the need for simple tire maintenance or for front end alignment. Take a look at all four tires and do a quick visual inspection. Here are some things to look for:

Under Inflation

The wear on an under inflated tire has less wear down the center of the tire and dramatically more wear on both outer edges of the tire tread. When a tire is under inflated there is too much contact with the road by the outer treads, which wear prematurely. Tire pressure should be checked with a reliable pressure gauge. When this type of wear occurs, and the tire pressure is known to be consistently correct, a bent or worn steering component or the need for wheel alignment could be indicated.

Over Inflation

The wear on an over inflated tire has significant wear down the middle of the tire tread and little wear towards the edges of the tread. The tire is riding on the center of the tread and wearing it prematurely. This is attributed to the visual inspection when inflating a tire and pumping the tires up until there is no bulge at the bottom, which is incorrect.

One Side Wear

When an inner or outer rib wears faster than than the rest of the tire, the need for wheel alignment is indicated. There is excessive camber in the front suspension, causing the wheel to lean too much to the inside or outside and putting too much load on one side of the tire. The car may simply need the wheels aligned, but misalignment could be due to sagging springs, worn ball joints, or worn control arm bushings.

Tire inflation pressure should always be checked with a reliable tire gauge. Always follow manufacturer's specifications listed in your manual or inside your door. If you have any doubt about the condition of your tires or vehicle, do not risk it and take the car to a professional like Jack Williams. Most likely it will save you time and money in the end if there is a problem and you catch it early.

Jack Williams Tire & Auto Service Centers specializes in all of your vehicle's service needs. Whether your vehicle needs factory scheduled maintenance, state inspections or emission inspections, Jack Williams' ASE certified professionals know just how to help you. Visit any of our 29 locations to meet with Jack Williams' team of experts for alignments, brakes, shocks, struts, exhausts, batteries, fluid services, oil changes, filters, belts, hoses, diagnostics and more! Jack Williams Tire is proud to employ ASE certified technicians.