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Typical Treadwear Patterns

You can read a tire just like a repair manual. Here’s what tread wear can tell you.


Worn Edges or Center
This indicates your tires are under-inflated. Lack of tire pressure has created excessive road wear on the outer tire wall and tread.

If only one edge shows wear, the tire’s camber (the angle of your vehicle’s wheel in relation to the road surface) is off.

A worn center indicates tires are over-inflated. Use tire gauge to maintain proper air pressure and check your tires on a regular basis.

Feathering
  • “Feathering” across the tread pattern may indicate worn tie-rods (part of the steering assembly) or your vehicle needs an alignment. Feathering can also be caused by a lot of hard cornering.
Cupping
  • Cupping generally indicates shocks or struts that need to be replaced. Out of balanced tires may also be the cause.
Make an Appointment
Simple solutions for all these problems:
  • Correct tire pressure and check it often
  • Rotate Tires
  • Check/correct wheel balance
  • Check/correct alignment
  • Check/replace steering and/or suspension parts

Any of these characteristics may require tire replacement. As part of our standard multi-point inspection your Pep Boys associate will advise you on the best procedure.