Over time all tires will wear down and need to be replaced. But while this is an eventuality for all vehicles, there are things a driver can do to help increase the life of their tires. Wear patterns on tires can reveal a lot about how the vehicle rides and if any adjustments need to be made. Being able to identify wear on the tires can help you and the mechanic make the appropriate changes.
How this system works:
When you purchase a new or certified used vehicle from a dealership, it should come with four matching tires, each inflated to the correct psi (pounds per square inch). Over time the tread on each tire will begin to wear and need to be changed. When a tire needs to be changed, it is possible that all will need to be changed. Replacing a single tire with a different brand or different size tire may throw off the balance of the vehicle. A mechanic can advise you on when to change your tires and how it should be done.
Common reasons for this to happen:
Tire Over/under inflation: Every tire has a recommended psi inscribed on the side of tire, indicating how much air should be put in. Over or under inflating the tire will cause the tire to wear unevenly. An over-inflated tire will wear more quickly around the middle of the tire. An under-inflated tire will wear more quickly on the edges. You mechanic will be able to show you where the recommended psi number is located.
Car is out of alignment: New cars are aligned by the manufacturer in a certain way to help maintain efficiency, and increase the life of the tires. In a vehicle that has come out of alignment, the tires are not facing perfectly straight and the vehicle must work harder to travel in a straight line. You can notice if you vehicle is out of alignment if it pulls either left or right, the steering wheel is at an angle while driving straight, and the tires are wearing down unevenly.
Tires are not rotated: In vehicles where the engine is at the front, the front tires bear more weight than the ones in the rear. In addition to this weight, they are also responsible for braking and turning. It is recommended that you rotate tires from front to back and side to side to ensure even wear. Tires that have not been rotated will show increased signs of wear at the front tires and decreased wear at the back.
What to expect:
A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the reason why your vehicle’s tire have worn unevenly. The mechanic will then provide a detailed inspection report outlining the nature of the tire wear and the cost of any repairs that need to be made.
How it's done:
A mechanic will first inspect the tires to determine the wear and get a better idea of what might have been going wrong. If the mechanic suspects that the tire is under or over inflated, he or she will use a tire pressure gauge to determine the exact pressure inside the tire. The mechanic will then compare that reading to the one on the outside of the tire. Depending on the measurement, the mechanic may have to inflate or let some air out of the tires. Wear in the center of the tire will most likely mean the mechanic will be letting out air, while wear on the edges mean the mechanic will most likely be adding air.
If the mechanic suspects that the vehicle is out of alignment, they will have to adjust suspension components that may have been affected by hitting a pothole or curb. Suspension components may also begin to fail over time, causing the vehicle to come out of alignment. While aligning your vehicle, the mechanic will also see if suspension components need to be replaced. The mechanic will adjust each side of the vehicle so that the tires are flat on the road and not at an angle.
If the wear on the tires is more significant at the front, the tires may need to be rotated. The mechanic will remove each tire and rotate it from front to back and side to side.
In all repairs the mechanic will also check the tread on the tires to make sure that they are still good. Tires that have low tread will not be as effective as new tires. When replacing tires, it is important to have tires of the same brand and size to ensure that they all wear evenly.
How important is this service?
As tire wear becomes worse, they will begin to lose gripping ability and need to be replaced. If you notice that your tires are wearing unevenly, especially in the event of a misalignment, you should have a mechanic look at your vehicle. Paying attention to signs like when the vehicle pulls left or right is an indicator that the vehicle needs to be aligned. Having tire wear examined and corrected can help increase the life of the tire, saving you time and money.