Tread Carefully: What Normal Tire Wear Looks Like
August 30, 2026
Every day we get in our vehicle and drive, we are putting wear and tear on our tires. Some wear is, of course, normal, but it’s important to know what’s NOT normal. Not only can that alert you to potential safety issues, I can also save you money and fuel.
Your tire’s tread (the part that contacts the road and has a pattern cut into the rubber) should be even from one side to the other. It should also be at least more than 2/32 inches deep. It IS normal to have tread wear, and most front-wheel-drive vehicles’ front tires wear more quickly because the front wheels are powering the vehicle.
Your tires should be wearing consistently. In other words, you shouldn’t see bald spots in one area and not in another. You should also not see a feathered edge on one side of your tire or any uneven ridges.
Besides looking at your tires for wear, you can start to notice signs of tire wear while you drive. For example, if you feel vibrations while you’re traveling, it could be the result of wheels that are out of balance or tires that are wearing unevenly. You may notice the vehicle shaking at higher speeds.
If your vehicle pulls to one side, it could mean one of your tire’s belts has separated or the tire is wearing unevenly. If you hear a thumping as you drive, your tire treads could be cupped or one tire could be separating inside. Any rhythmic thumping you hear or feel as you drive is something you should have checked right away.
Most newer vehicles also have a tire pressure monitoring system that warns you if one or more of your tires are underinflated. That is another possible sign of tire wear.
Your tires are what literally connect your vehicle and the road. When they wear out, your braking distances are longer, your traction decreases, you can hydroplane on a wet road and you may have a blowout on the highway. Keep your eye on tire wear, and if you see, hear or feel any signs, bring it in to us right away to have a technician check things out.
Gary Knurek GoodYear
1973 Livernois
Troy, Michigan 48083
248-362-0350
Need Service?
More articles from Gary Knurek, Authorized GoodYear Dealer
Helping Your Engine Breathe Easier
August 23, 2026
You may have heard someone tell you its time to replace your vehicles engine air filter and thought, Its OK. Ill do it in a while. While its tempting to put that off, keep in mind that having your engine air filter replaced is one of the easiest ways to maintain your vehicles performance and ef... More
Wobbly in Turns? Your Sway Bar May Be to Blame
August 16, 2026
When you take a corner in your vehicle, its supposed to feel controlled and stable. But you might notice one day that your vehicle feels like it is unstable, or even like its floating. It can be a scary sensation that gets your attention. If you feel that as you change lanes or when turning a ... More
Don’t Ignore the Grind
August 9, 2026
Your wheel hub assembly is probably not one of those things on your vehicle you think about very often. In fact, you may not even have even heard of it. But its one of the most important components that keeps your vehicle stable, smooth and safe on the road. The hub assembly houses the wheel b... More