Tire Wear Problems: Causes and What to Watch For

Alternative Automotive • June 2, 2025

Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle—but they’re also one of the easiest things to ignore until something goes wrong. 

Uneven or rapid tire wear isn’t just annoying—it can be dangerous and cost you money in the long run. Let’s talk about what causes tire wear problems and the signs to look for before it becomes a bigger issue.


Common Causes of Tire Wear

• Improper Alignment: If your wheels aren’t aligned properly, your tires will wear unevenly. You might notice your vehicle pulling to one side or a crooked steering wheel.
• Under-inflated or Overinflated Tires: Tire pressure matters! Too much air can cause the center of the tire to wear out faster, while too little air wears out the edges.

Tire Wear Image

• Worn Suspension Components: Your suspension keeps your tires planted evenly on the road. If parts like shocks or struts are worn, you’ll see patchy wear patterns.
• Unbalanced Tires: Vibration while driving? That could be a sign your tires are out of balance, which leads to uneven tread wear.

What to Watch For

• Bald Spots or feathered edges on the tread
• Noise or vibration when driving
• Vehicle pulling to one side
• Tread wear on only one part of the
tire


Don’t Guess—Let Us Check It Out

If your tires are wearing faster than they should—or just look off—it’s time for a visit. At Alternative Automotive, we’ll inspect your tires, suspension, and alignment to figure out what’s going on.

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