Tire wear

[supton]

Hadn't seen this before.



I've heard of wearing the center tread from over-inflation, but not concave like this. Any chance that it's more soft tread in the center?

My notes indicate that the tires had 9/32 on the shoulders and 8/32 in the center (bought used). Put them onto the car, drove 6k this winter, and now I have 8/32 outer and 6/32 inner. I was a bit taken back when I saw this, and checked the pressure--and I don't ever recall setting to 42psi. Maybe my HF inflator gauge is bad (it reads 42psi on a newly bought Slime gauge), dunno.

I thought overinflation wore the center--but it'd be flat across the tread just the same?

 

[SwampSurvivor]

All 4 of the Nordsman tires on my parents' Focuscape did the same thing. And we definitely don't run them overinflated.

 

[69GTX]

I had something similar on a set of tires once. And I did run them over-inflated a bit (36-38 psi). Still, I was quite surprised.

 

[RooflessVW]

Those look like Blizzaks. The LM25s I pulled off a set of BMW wheels were worn just like that.

 

[supton]

Yoko Ice Guard, something52something (forget now).

Alright, I don't feel so bad now. Next winter I'll run at a more normal pressure, and see how they hold up.

 

[eljefino]

+3 I had snow tires that had that center divot.

 

[Rolla07]

My Hakka R2's appear to wear like that too..im pretty sure its by design and not by sometbing we are doing wrong.

 

[mightymousetech]

How often to you adjust the pressure? If you have not checked it since it was cold, the pressure will change greatly as it warms up.

Looks like wear from too much pressure, or running a tire too wide for the rim. Also, what is the load rating of the tire compared to what the door sticker recommends?

 

[supton]

I don't adjust too often. Once a month i'll check, see if air is needed. Probably a bit less in winter. May have been below freezing when I last checked, don't record that detail when servicing the car.

 

[Traction]

Blizzaks can wear like that when over inflated, by which you were for sure at 42 psi. Should have been at 32!

 

[andrewp1998]

My all seasons wore quickly on the center channel and most likely due to over inflation. Better mpg but new tires are needed sooner
They were set at 39 psi and should be 32, that went on for a few yrs and I learned my lesson

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted By: supton
........ I thought overinflation wore the center--but it'd be flat across the tread just the same?


What's important is the footprint - specifically the pressure distribution. It's quite possible that the natural inflated shape is such that it results in a concave shape, while the footprint is completely opposite.

 

[Astro14]

That's classic over inflation wear. I've seen precisely the same thing, same profile, when I ran the tires on my Volvo at the high end, or slightly above, the recommended pressure range, which was 32-38 depending on speed and load. I ran them at 38-40 because it handled so well...and bought new tires sooner than I would've liked.

Of course, the hyper inflation crowd will tell you that doesn't happen...

Remember this guy?

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2279378

And who could forget Tactical Driver in this thread?

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/2266678/1

 

[mightymousetech]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
That's classic over inflation wear. I've seen precisely the same thing, same profile, when I ran the tires on my Volvo at the high end, or slightly above, the recommended pressure range, which was 32-38 depending on speed and load. I ran them at 38-40 because it handled so well...and bought new tires sooner than I would've liked.

Of course, the hyper inflation crowd will tell you that doesn't happen...



The handling may FEEL better, but the higher the pressure, the smaller the contact patch. It is always a trade off.

 

[Jetronic]

Yokohama Geolandar I/T all seem to wear like that on the previous gen hyundai tucson. And we sold a lot of them or winter use

 

[ccap41]

Originally Posted By: Astro14


Remember this guy?

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2279378


HAHAHA I remember that one!

 

[dlayman]

My studless Nitto winter tires begin showing the same wear pattern from the get go, but doesn't seem to get worse. Inflated at proper pressure on a Honda Civic. Have had two sets of them and both did it, got good life out of them anyway.

 

[userfriendly]

Also to wide of tire for rim width. I like at least 80% wheel to tire, for example 275/65/20 on a 9 inch wide wheel is about 80%.

 

[supton]

Don't know what the rim width is, but it's the OEM steel rim, and the OEM size (215/60R16? something like that). Tires were cheap, and look like I'll get a second winter; when they get replaced I'll see about dropping a size down (205/65R16 perhaps).

 

[gaijinnv]

Originally Posted By: userfriendly
Also to wide of tire for rim width. I like at least 80% wheel to tire, for example 275/65/20 on a 9 inch wide wheel is about 80%.


And yet, Toyota specs a P285/60-18 tire on an 8" rim and a LT285/70-17 tire on an 8" rim - both of which work out to a 71% wheel to tire ratio. Sounds as though what you "like" may not be what manufacturers consider appropriate.

HTH