Tread
Center wear
Center of the tread wears faster than the adjacent tread surfaces.
Probable causes:
– over inflation for load carried
– rim width too narrow
– misapplication
– improper tire rotation practices
– aggressive acceleration
– under-inflation for certain tire types
Action:
Tire:
– wear pattern may continue following rotation
– rotate tire for maximum wear if sufficient tread depth
– if tread depth shallower than TWI or if cord is exposed, scrap the tire
Vehicle:
– verify proper rim width
– verify proper vehicle fitment
– maintain load within vehicle manufacturers’ recommendation
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– review tire rotation
– avoid spin-outs and quick start
Cupping wear
Localized badly worn patches creating a scalloped appearance around the tire.
Probable causes:
– severe assembly out of balance, improper rim
– mounting or other assembly non-uniformity
– lacking of shock absorber control
– loosing kingpins and improper bearing
– adjustment
– under-inflation pressure
Action:
Tire:
– if ride complain arise, tires may be rotated or removed.
Vehicle:
– diagnose imbalance
– inspect suspension components
– correct as necessary
Cupping wear
Localized badly worn patches creating a scalloped appearance around the tire.
Probable causes:
– severe assembly out of balance, improper rim
– mounting or other assembly non-uniformity
– lacking of shock absorber control
– loosing kingpins and improper bearing
– adjustment
– under-inflation pressure
Action:
Tire:
– if ride complain arise, tires may be rotated or removed.
Vehicle:
– diagnose imbalance
– inspect suspension components
– correct as necessary
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– review tire rotation
– avoid spin-outs and quick start
Diagonal wear
Single or multiple localized worn flat spots extending diagonally across the tread. (Often seen on truck tires on trailer axle)
Probable causes:
– severe assembly out of balance, improper rim
– mounting or other assembly non-uniformity
– lacking of shock absorber control
– loosing kingpins and improper bearing
adjustment
– under-inflation pressure
Action:
Tire:
– wear pattern may continue following rotation
– rotate tire for maximum wear if sufficient tread depth
– if tread depth shallower than TWI or if cord is exposed, scrap the tire.
Vehicle:
– check vehicle alignment
– set-up or replace suspension components
Operations:
– review tire rotation practices
Feather wear
Tread elements worn irregularly across the tread face.
Probable causes:
– misalignment
– bent vehicle frame or chassis
– misapplication
– improper maintenance of suspension
components
Action:
Tire:
– wear pattern may continue following rotation
– rotate tire for maximum wear if sufficient tread depth
– if tread depth shallower than TWI or if cord is exposed, scrap the tire.
– plus sizing may be more susceptible to this condition
Vehicle:
– verify vehicle alignment, including frame and chassis
– set-up or replace suspension components
– verify proper vehicle fitment
Operations:
– more frequent rotation
– review tire rotation practices
Heel and toe wear
The trailing edge of the blocks (lugs) has worn more rapidly than the leading edge, thus producing a saw-tooth shape.
Probable causes:
– under-inflation
– over-inflation
– large difference in the inflation pressure
– mismatched inflation pressure in dual
applications
– misalignment
Action:
Tire:
– wear pattern may continue following rotation
– rotate tire for maximum wear if sufficient tread depth
Vehicle:
– check vehicle alignment
– verify proper vehicle fitment
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– review tire rotation practices
Rib punch wear
One or more inner ribs is worn below the level of the adjacent tread surface.
Probable causes:
– improper inflation pressure
– lightly load with high inflation applications
– lack of shock absorber control
– mismatched inflation pressure in dual
applications
– rim width too narrow
Action:
Tire:
– if tread depth shallower than TWI or if cord is exposed, scrap the tire.
– Wear pattern may continue following rotation
– Rotate tire for maximum wear if sufficient tread depth
Vehicle:
– set-up or replace suspension components
– verify proper rim width
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– review tire rotation practices
– in some applications, this worn appearance is typical and unavoidable
River wear
Circumferential wear along the rib edges adjacent to major tread grooves. It may be wavy appearance and vary in width around the tire.
Probable causes:
– characteristic of radial tires due to their slow wear rate
– excessive difference in the movement of the
rubber between the center and the edge(s) of
the rib
Action:
Tire:
– erosion wear should not be of concern; continue to run.
Oneside shoulder wear
One side of the tread is worn excessively compared with the other side.
Probable causes:
– improper toe & camber
– improper maintenance of suspension
components
– habitual sharp cornering
– high crown roads
– non-uniform mounting
Action:
Tire:
– wear pattern may continue following rotation
– rotate tire for maximum wear if sufficient tread depth
– if tread depth shallower than TWI or if cord is exposed, scrap the tire
– Verify tire has been properly mounted
Vehicle:
– check vehicle alignment
– set-up or replace suspension components
– verify proper vehicle fitment
Operations:
– slower cornering speed
– review tire rotation practices
Bothside shoulder wear
Both shoulders of the tread wear faster than the adjacent tread surface
Probable causes:
– improper inflation pressure
– hard cornering
– commercial pickup and delivery service
– improper tire rotation
– rim width too wide
Action:
Tire:
– if tread depth shallower than TWI or if cord is exposed, scrap the tire.
– wear pattern may continue following rotation In some applications, this worn appearance is typical and unavoidable
– verify tire has been properly mounted
Vehicle:
– check vehicle alignment
– set-up or replace suspension components
– verify proper vehicle fitment
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– more frequent rotation may minimize condition development
– slower cornering
– review tire rotation practices
Worn out (rapid wear)
Tire worn out faster than expected and has even wear.
Probable causes:
– aggressive driving
– improper tire rotation
– high performance tire characteristic
– abrasive road surface
– continual high load application
– frequent mountain driving
– mismatched duals
Action:
Tire:
– if tread depth shallower than TWI or if cord is exposed, scrap the tire
– in certain high performance applications; this condition may be typical and unavoidable
– rotate tire for maximum wear if sufficient tread depth
Vehicle:
– verify proper vehicle fitment
– maintain load within vehicle manufacturers’ recommendations
Operations:
– avoid aggressive acceleration or steering action
Chipping/chunking
Small flakes or chunks of the tread is exfoliated or torn off. In extreme case, the belt or the breaker is exposed.
Probable causes:
– misapplication
– off-road use of highway tread pattern
– abrasive road surfaces
– driver abuse
– improper inflation pressure
Action:
Tire:
– Potential need to scrap the tire based on severity
– if damage extents beyond the base of the tread groove or exposes cord material, scrap the tire
Vehicle:
– review tire applications, particularly off-road use of highway tread pattern
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– avoid running over objects
– reduce speed on gravel road
– avoid off-road use of highway tread pattern
Rib peeling
Tear at the base of the main tread grooves, generally at the shoulder.
Probable causes:
– running over curbs
– severe localized impacts
– aggravated by spread axles
– under-inflation or overload
– sharp turning
Action:
Tire:
– if steel is showing, remove from service.
– if steel is not evident, retread or return to service on a dual position.
Operations:
– review driving procedure and vehicle application.
Groove cracking
Cracks occurring in the base of the grooves of the tread.
Probable causes:
– improper inflation pressure
– overload
– exposure to ozone or vehicle exhaust
– stone damage
– improper storage
– prolonged service
Action:
Tire:
– if cracking is superficial, continue in service.
– if damage extends beyond the base of the tread groove or into the belt wire, permanently remove from service.
– review tire storage practices
Vehicle:
– review vehicle storage practices
– review exhaust routing
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– review driving procedure
– review operating environment
Tread separation
Separation between the tread rubber & the underlying belt. Separation between the belts may progress with spot wear. The bottom belts and casing plies may progress with spot wear.
Probable causes:
– poor inflation pressure maintenance effect
– improper inflation pressure・ Overload
– accumulative tire abuse
– progressing from tread cut or puncture
– run flat
– excessive heat
– prior impact damage
– excessive speed
– improper storage
Action:
Tire:
– permanently remove from service
Vehicle:
– verify proper vehicle loading Verify proper vehicle fitment
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– avoid tread surface cuts and impacts
– avoid excessive speed
– proper storage
Stone drilling
Damage caused by stones retained in the tread which drill through the tread base rubber into the belts.
Probable causes:
– misapplication
– off-road use
– gravel road use
Action:
Tire:
– if stone damage extends beyond the base of the tread groove or expose cord material, scrap the tire.
– remove stones when found
Vehicle:
– verify proper vehicle fitment
Operations:
– limit exposure to gravel roads
– review tire application
Tread and sidewall
Impact (tread/sidewall)
Localized rupture in the tread area or the sidewall. Aggravated by high speed, overinflation and/or high loads. Failure may occur at impact or some time after the initial impact.
Probable causes:
– impact with object such as curb/pothole
– accumulative tire abuse
– misapplication
Action:
Tire:
– scrap the tire
Vehicle:
– verify proper vehicle fitment
– inspect rim for possible damage, replace if necessary
Operations:
– avoid impacts
– avoid running over objects
– maintain proper inflation pressure
Impact (interior)
Localized rupture in the liner. Aggravated by high speed, overinflation and/or high loads. Failure may occur at impact or some time after the initial impact.
Probable causes:
– impact with object such as curb/pothole
– accumulative tire abuse
– misapplication
Action:
Tire:
– scrap the tire
Vehicle:
– verify proper vehicle fitment
– inspect rim for possible damage, replace if necessary
Operations:
– avoid impacts
– avoid running over objects
– maintain proper inflation pressure
Carcass
Run flat
Generally, a sequence of: deterioration, discoloration, distortion, blistering, wrinkling, abrasion, cord break-up or destruction of the casing on one or both sidewalls.
Probable causes:
– puncture / impact / road hazard
– overload
– improper inflation pressure
– rim/valve leakage
– cause may not be detectable due to tire damage
Action:
Tire:
– any sign of run flat, permanently remove from service
– any tire suspected of prolonged or excessive under-inflation must be removed from the rim and inspected
Vehicle:
– verify proper vehicle fitment
– maintain load within vehicle manufacturers’ recommendation
– inspect dual mate for conditions caused by overload
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
Ply separation
Irregular-shaped bulge in the mid/upper sidewall area; may progress to complete separation of the sidewall rubber from the casing, exposing the ply cords.
Probable causes:
– puncture
– impact / road hazard
– inner-liner damage
– under-inflation pressure
– overload
– improper repair of the tread
Action:
Tire:
– scrap the tire
Vehicle:
– inspect the rim for damage
Operations:
– determine the cause and take appropriate corrective action
Bead
Lower sidewall separation
Bulging or cracks in the bead section. Occurs mainly at the chafer edge or the turn-up edge of the ply.
Probable causes:
– overload
– under-inflation
– impact damage
– improper bead seating/mounting
– rim width too narrow
Action:
Tire:
– permanently remove from service
Vehicle:
– maintain load within vehicle manufacturers’ recommendation
– verify proper vehicle fitment
Operations:
– maintain proper inflation pressure
– avoid impacts
– avoid contact with curb
Other
Shipping damage
Localized cut, abrasion, deformation or bruise on a new tire due to mishandling. See also bent/kinked beads.
Probable causes:
– mishandling
– tire distorted from improper shipping
– exterior cut from forklift/knife/foreign object
– interior cut from forklift/knife/foreign object
Action:
Tire:
– inspect tires upon receipt.
– review with shipping tire distributor or manufacturer
– if appropriate, file claim with freight carrier.
– review tire storage/ handling practices.
