Tires can fail for a variety of reasons. Absent a design or manufacturing defect, a tire should safely operate for the duration of its expected service life. Most tires should operate effectively and safely for 60,000 miles or 5 years.
Drivers should always use their tires in the fashion recommended by the tire’s manufacturer. For instance, if the tire’s load rating advises that the tire has a load carrying capacity of 1,000 pounds, a vehicle owner should never overload a vehicle’s cargo area with weight in excess of 4,000 pounds (including the vehicle’s weight). Likewise, a tire should be operated with the recommended air inflation. But, other concerns should be heeded, if a driver expects a tire to continually operate safely for the duration of the tire’s expected service life. Regular tire inspections should reveal potential problems.
A new tire’s tread typically measures 14/32nds of an inch. Given a regular rotation schedule, a tire’s tread should wear evenly, losing 1/32nds of an inch every 5,500 miles. Sometimes, a tire will exhibit irregular wear. This condition includes one-sided wear, center wear, spot wear, both-shoulder wear, and fast wear. One-sided wear is identified when the tire’s tread measures a greater width on one side of the tire, while the other side has worn at a greater rate. This condition occurs through misalignment, improper rotation practices, loose or worn suspension components, hard cornering, or misapplication. Drivers should only mount tires that have been approved for the vehicle being used. A passenger tire on a truck is an example of misapplication. Primarily, one-sided tread wear occurs through an improper rotation practice. This condition may be corrected through a tire rotation.
A driver can identify center wear, noting the tire’s tread depth is lower in the middle than the outside of the tread. This condition is most typically caused by over-inflation or if the rim used on the tire is too narrow. Any replacement rim should be the same size as the original rim sold with the vehicle. A tire with center wear likely cannot be rehabilitated, so it should be scraped. However, if this condition is noted early in the tire’s life, perhaps it could be salvaged.
A driver can identify spot wear when he/she sees a specific area of the tread has worn to a greater degree than the rest of the tread. This condition can be caused by improper tire balancing or brake lock. Most problematically, though, this condition is likely indicative of a problem within the tire’s interior. Spot wear can be an indication of a localized separation under the tread, within the tire’s belts or plies. A tire identified as exhibiting spot wear should be discarded.
Both shoulder wear is primarily associated with under-inflation. A driver should always ensure that he/she is operating tires with the recommended air pressure. Without rectifying the problem, both shoulder wear is expected to continue and likely to result in tire failure. As such, a tire with both-shoulder wear should be discarded.
Finally, a tire’s tread could exhibit fast-wear. This condition may not be the fault of the vehicle’s operator. Fast wear can indicate a manufacturing or design defect. Under any circumstance, a tire exhibiting fast wear should be discarded.
Tires are the vehicle’s most important safety system. Regular tire inspection is imperative for a driver wanting to operate on safe tires. Any of the above conditions can contribute to a tire’s failure. Regular and thorough tire inspection is the key to safe operation.
Written by:
Guy L. Watts, II
Watts Guerra LLP
4 Dominion Drive, Bldg 3, Suite 100
San Antonio, Texas 78257
Phone (210) 447-0500
© Watts Guerra LLP 2015
