It can be frustrating when a tire shop informs you that your tires are worn out, even if they appear fine on the outside. However, you may not notice that the inside of your tires is worn down to smooth rubber or even metal wire.
Uneven tire wear is not only costly but also poses a safety risk. Here’s a summary of why your tires might be wearing on the inside and what you can do about it.
- Faulty Wheel Alignment: The most common cause of inside tire wear is improper wheel alignment. If your tires are angled outward (negative toe) or leaning inward (negative camber), they will wear on the inside. This issue can affect both front and rear tires, as most vehicles have alignment settings for both. To resolve this, you’ll need to have your wheel alignment corrected. Reach out to a trusted tire shop to see if they offer alignment services. The cost typically ranges from $120 to $185, as alignment machines are expensive and require specialized bays.
- Worn Suspension Components: The suspension system keeps your tires in contact with the road. As your vehicle ages, the suspension components can wear out. Key parts include ball joints, control arms, and struts. When these components fail, they can negatively impact your wheel alignment. Performing an alignment with worn suspension parts is ineffective; you’ll need to repair the suspension first, then proceed with the alignment.
- Worn Steering Components: The steering system connects the steering wheel to the tires. Components such as tie rod ends, the steering rack, and the steering gearbox must be functioning properly to ensure your tires last and that you can steer safely. Your alignment shop should always check these components before making alignment adjustments.
- Aging Vehicle: As your vehicle accumulates mileage, the suspension can soften, leading to changes in alignment. We recommend checking and adjusting your alignment annually.
- Be Cautious of Potholes: Even if your car is in excellent condition, hitting a deep pothole can disrupt your alignment. Therefore, we advise checking and setting your alignment once every year.
Try to get into the habit of walking around your vehicle once Monthly. Kick your tires. Run your hand over the tire tread. Try to get a look at the inner tread of your tires. If you are not sure about your tires, please drive over to our Tire Shop. We will be very happy to check your tires and your tire pressures at NO CHARGE. We are here for you.