What can cause excessive or uneven tyre wear?

Tyres are the only point of contact between your car and the road surface, so ensuring they are in full working order is something all drivers need to be aware of.

Tyre wear is a natural process that occurs as your vehicle's tyres make contact with the road.

However, excessive or uneven tyre wear can significantly affect the performance, safety, and lifespan of your tyres.

Learn more about excessive or uneven tyre wear in this guide.

What is uneven tyre wear?

Uneven tyre wear occurs when a vehicle's tyres wear at different rates or in irregular patterns, often due to issues like improper tyre pressure, misalignment, unbalanced tyres, or worn suspension components.

It is the driver's responsibility to keep up to date on tyre safety.

Not doing this will leads to reduced tyre lifespan and potentially unsafe driving conditions.

Tyre pressure

Maintaining the correct tyre pressure is one of the most crucial aspects of tyre health and regular maintenance for drivers.

Under-inflated tyres cause more surface area to make contact with the road, which leads to faster wear on the edges of the tyre.

Over-inflated tyres, on the other hand, have a reduced contact patch, causing wear in the centre of the tread.

Both scenarios result in uneven wear, reducing the overall lifespan of the tyres and potentially compromising vehicle handling.

If the tyres are unevenly inflated, this will cause further issues.

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Misaligned wheels

Wheel alignment refers to the angle at which your vehicle's wheels make contact with the road.

When your wheels are misaligned, the tyres do not wear evenly.

Therefore, wheel realignment should happen every year to ensure your vehicle is as safe as possible. This normally aligns with the annual MOT, or even when you take your car for a service - but isn't checked as part of either procedure. 

Misalignment can cause the tyres to wear on one side or the tread to become unevenly shaped.

This can lead to faster tyre wear, increased fuel consumption, and compromised handling.

Unbalanced tyres

Tyres need to be balanced to ensure smooth rotation while driving – therefore having them equally inflated is important.

Unbalanced tyres can lead to vibrations and uneven wear patterns.

When tyres are out of balance, one side of the tyre may wear down more quickly than the other, especially at higher speeds.

Damaged suspension

The suspension system plays a pivotal role in the way your vehicle handles and distributes the weight of the car.

It is essential for safety and needs to be regularly checked and serviced.

Worn out, damaged, or unlubricated suspension (and components such as shock absorbers or struts) will likely lead to uneven tyre wear.

If the suspension is not absorbing shocks and uneven surfaces correctly, the tyres may make inconsistent contact with the road surface, leading to excessive wear in certain areas.

If you notice any handling issues or ride discomfort, it may be time to inspect your suspension system.

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Driving habits

Drivers have their own quirks and habits that can affect the longevity and safety of your tyres.

Driving aggressively, such as rapid acceleration, sharp cornering, and hard braking, can lead to uneven tyre wear.

These habits place added stress on the tyres, causing them to wear out faster in certain areas.

In order for the tyres to last longer, driving more smoothly will help prevent premature tyre wear and tear.

Poor road conditions

Driving on poorly maintained roads with many potholes can also lead to uneven tyre wear.

It can also cause physical damage to tyres, such as cuts or punctures.