If your vehicle's tires have sustained uneven wear, visit your local auto repair center as soon as possible. Uneven wear has several explanations, most of which are maintenance-related. Learn about the most common reasons for irregular tire wear to help you take the best possible care of your vehicle.

What Causes Uneven Tire Wear?

1. Vehicle Misalignment

Sudden, jarring impacts cause vehicle misalignments that contribute to irregular tire wear. Driving over a pothole, hitting a curb, getting in an accident, or careening over a speed bump throws off the suspension system, which is linked to the wheels and responsible for absorbing vehicular stress. When wheels become misaligned, the car works harder to avoid pulling to the left or right, causing uneven tire wear, inefficient handling, and bumpy rides.

If you suspect suspension problems, schedule alignment services at your local auto repair center.

2. Inflation Issues

Too little air in car tires results in extra contact with the road, which increases heat, friction, and wear. Overinflation harms tire tread as well because the middle section protrudes and wears down prematurely.

Refer to your owner’s manual for the car’s recommended tire pressure, and use a gauge to check the pressure once a month.

Perform checks more often in extremely hot weather because tires gain one pound per square inch (psi) for every 10-degree increase in temperature.

3. Bent Wheels

Car accidents and other serious impacts can leave wheels bent. Since tires operate in conjunction with wheel rotations, any bends push tire sidewalls inward.

The car may vibrate when you drive, so get wheel replacements to avoid handling issues. Have an auto repair technician check the condition of the tires too in case of bald areas from worn tread.

4. Neglected Tire Rotation

Without routine tire rotations, front tires wear out quicker than back tires because they handle most of the work when turning. They must be rotated to the back to keep all the tires wearing at the same rate. 

Avoid uneven wear with regular tire rotation appointments. Consult the manufacturer recommendations and talk to your auto mechanic about how often you drive and in which road conditions to determine how often to get tire rotations. 

Schedule tire rotations with the ASE®-certified team at Starkey’s Auto Repair in Honolulu, HI. Whether you need rotation assistance or other auto repair and maintenance services, you can count on their over 80 years of combined experience for quality work. Call (808) 427-3185 today to make an appointment, or visit the auto repair shop online for more information about customer amenities and specials.