Centre Wear: The Overinflation Pattern
When a tyre is overinflated, it balloons slightly in the centre, causing the middle section of the tread to bear disproportionately more load than the edges. The result is a strip of heavy wear running down the centre of the tyre while the outer edges appear relatively fresh. If you notice this pattern, reduce your tyre pressure to the manufacturer-specified level immediately.
Centre wear is particularly common on vehicles whose owners inflate tyres to the maximum figure printed on the tyre sidewall rather than the correct figure for their vehicle found in the handbook. The sidewall maximum is not the recommended pressure — it is the absolute limit the tyre structure can safely contain.
Edge Wear: The Underinflation Pattern
Underinflation produces the opposite effect. A tyre running below its correct pressure flattens and spreads under load, causing both outer edges of the tread to carry the weight while the centre hovers slightly above the road. You will see heavy wear on both shoulders with relatively little wear in the middle. Bring pressure up to the correct level and monitor for any continued loss that might indicate a slow puncture or valve issue.
Edge wear on a single shoulder only — rather than both simultaneously — points toward a different cause: misalignment. Single-shoulder wear combined with feathering of the tread blocks is a strong indicator that the wheel toe or camber is out of specification.
One-Sided Wear: Misalignment and Suspension Issues
Pronounced wear on one side of a tyre, while the other side looks relatively unworn, is almost always caused by incorrect camber or toe alignment. Negative camber — where the top of the wheel leans inward — concentrates load on the inner shoulder. Excessive positive toe causes the outer edge to scrub. An alignment check will confirm the fault and allow it to be corrected before the next set of tyres suffers the same fate.
Worn or damaged suspension components — particularly ball joints, tie rod ends, and wheel bearings — can also produce uneven wear patterns. If your alignment checks out but the wear continues, a full suspension inspection is the logical next step.
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