Modern modes of transportation are becoming more complex, with increased safety measures, driving controls, and so on. However, tyre technology continues to be critical to the operation of a vehicle. New car tires have evolved from their very simple rubbery predecessors. There are currently n automobile and SUV tyres on the market, each with a multi-purpose use case scenario. Some are designed for easy city driving, while others are designed to assist you cover a long distance on an off-beat trail.
While tyres take the most abuse of any automotive component, they are rarely maintained properly. Most drivers ignore tyre safety and maintenance until they experience a problem, which should not be the case.
Causes of Tire Cupping
If you hear weird noises from your tires or observe places where the tread is worn down more than others, you may have a cupping issue. Cupped tires have uneven smooth areas on the treads around the center or border of the tire. Worn patches are typically around 3 inches in diameter. When the automobile is moving, the tires create a horrible noise, as if something is grinding. This noise gets louder as the car’s speed increases.
Tire cupping indicates that the wheel is bouncing or not touching the road’s surface uniformly. However, determining the underlying problem may be difficult; cupped tires can have a variety of causes.
- Bad wheel bearings: If the sound varies when the car turns one direction or another, it could be a problem with the wheel bearings on that side of the vehicle. This should be verified by your mechanic when determining the reason of tire cupping.
- Bad shocks or suspension: Shock absorbers and the suspension system are the primary components designed to assist the car drive smoothly. Shock and struts should be replaced after approximately 60,000 miles; cupping on the tires may indicate that yours are worn out. If a component in the suspension system is damaged, misaligned, or loose, the wheel may bounce and wear unevenly. If you feel it’s time to repair the shocks or struts, take your vehicle to a reputable auto body repair shop like Knockout Collision Repair.
- Tires Out of Balance: Cupping can occur when weight is unevenly distributed over a tire’s circumference. The imbalance causes vibrations and bouncing, which leads in erratic wear and a bumpy ride. The good news is that this is a simple issue to address. Having your tires balanced is usually a quick and affordable job that will eventually extend the life of the tires.
- Tire Runout: Runout indicates that the tire is no longer perfectly round. There are two types of tire runout: lateral and radial, which result in either wobbling or vibration. This is most usually caused by bad tire installation or low-quality tires, and it worsens over time. It can be risky for drivers if the tire loses grip on the road or causes the car to swerve unexpectedly to one side. The easiest way to avoid tire runout is to get your tires inspected and rotated on a regular basis.
- Bad Alignment: There are three types of wheel misalignment: camber, caster, and toe in/out. Each type represents a unique orientation of the wheels in relation to one another and the road.
Causes of Tire Feathering
It’s simpler to feel than see if your tires have feathering issues. Feathering refers to angled wear, which occurs when treads are worn and rounded on one side while sharp on the other. One common cause is improper wheel alignment. For example, feathering is common when the front wheels are in toe-in alignment. Feathering could also indicate a more significant issue with the suspension.
If you notice this type of tire wear pattern, have your car inspected by an experienced mechanic to determine the source of the problem. Resolving the issue may be as simple as realigning the wheels or tightening suspension components. It may be necessary to repair the shocks or struts, but this does not always imply that you must replace the tires. This will be determined by the level of uneven wear and damage over time.
Maintaining Your Car’s Tires
Irregular wear patterns and highly worn treads are never ideal. This is a clear indication that the wheels are not in solid contact with the road. Proper tire care is essential for extending their life and providing safe driving conditions.
- Have your tires balanced every 3,000 to 6,000 miles.
- Have your tires rotated every six months or 6,000 miles.
- Have the wheel alignment checked once a year.
- Check tire tread depth on a seasonal basis
- Check the tire pressure every month.
Prioritizing good tyre care and maintenance is critical for a safe and comfortable driving experience. Regular inspections, tyre pressure monitoring, wheel alignment, and balancing are all critical procedures for extending the life of your tyres and improving vehicle performance. Adhering to manufacturer specifications, utilizing acceptable tyre sizes, and avoiding bad driving patterns improves fuel efficiency while also lowering the risk of accidents caused by premature tyre deterioration or failure.
