Tire Wear

TIRE INSPECTION PROCEDURES – It is necessary for a RohrmanDiscountTire.com technician to examine an entire tire to identify the probable cause for any condition.  For example, it is possible that a sidewall bubble may have resulted from a road hazard or improper repair that could only be confirmed by inspecting the interior of the tire.

Note the Tire Identification Code (DOT Serial Number) and all examine all suspicious areas.  Begin by inspecting all of the way around the circumference of the tread area looking for punctures, cuts, foreign objects and ay distortion.  Then examine the outboard and inboard sidewalls looking for scuffing, cracks, bulges, breaks, cuts or weather cracking.  Finally move to the interior of the tire looking for any inner liner penetrations, cracks, blisters or wrinkling.

Uneven Tread Wear – In the center

Probable Cause

• Tire overinflated
• Use of over sized tires

Appropriate Correction

• Confirm cold inflation pressure matches vehicle’s recommended pressures
• Confirm appropriate rim width and evaluate alternative tire pressures

Uneven Tread Wear – On both shoulders

Probable Cause

• Tire under inflated
• Vehicle overloaded

Appropriate Correction

• Confirm cold inflation pressure matches vehicle’s recommended pressures
• Confirm load being carried is within vehicle specifications, reduce as necessary

Uneven Tread Wear – on one shoulder

Probable Cause

• Wheel alignment does not match actual driving conditions
• Worn of damaged steering/suspension parts

Appropriate Correction

• Set alignment to most appropriate angles within vehicle’s approved range
• Replace worn or bent parts and align

Uneven Tread Wear – Heel and Toe Block Wear

Probable Cause

• Insufficient tire rotation for driving conditions
• Tires under inflated, increasing drag and wear

Appropriate Correction

• Rotate tires more frequently following vehicle’s approved pattern
• Confirm cold inflation pressure matches vehicle’s recommended pressures

Uneven Tread Wear – Irregular Cupping

Probable Cause

• Loose steering or suspension components
• Tire and wheels out of balance

Appropriate Correction

• Replace worn struts/shocks and other steering/suspension parts and align
• Correct balance of tires and wheels

Sidewall – Circumferential Split/Star

Probable Cause

• Impact brake from road hazard or pothole
• Tire sidewall pinched between road and wheel

Appropriate Correction

• Dismount tire and inspect for interior damage, replace tire if damage found
• Determine if wheel is bent by inspecting for run out, replace wheel if damage is found

Sidewall – Bubble/Bulge

Probable Cause

• Tire sidewall pinched between road and wheel
• Components contaminated during manufacturing

Appropriate Correction

• Dismount tire and inspect, tire manufacturer’s warranty applies if no interior damage is found
• Dismount tire and inspect, interior damage indicates road hazard

Sidewall – Ozone/Weather Cracking

Probable Cause

• Frequent exposer to direct sun and hot temperatures
• Tires exposed to ozone or harsh chemicals

Appropriate Correction

• Evaluate service conditions and attempt to minimize exposure to sun and heat
• Attempt to keep tires away from sources of ozone and chemical exposure

Sidewall – Abrasion of Both Sidewalls

Probable Cause

• Driven on when extremely low on air
• Driven on when flat

Appropriate Correction

• Dismount tire and inspect for interior damage, replace tire if damage is found

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