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TIRE INSPECTOR TOOL

Auto Tips & Advice

The Tire Doctor will see you now. If you notice a problem with one of your tires, we can diagnose it here. Which of the following best describes the problem?

Wear on Both Edges

Underinflation:

  • Reduces tread life through increased treadwear on the outside edges (or shoulders) of the tire
  • Generates excessive heat, which reduces tire durability and can lead to tire failure
  • Reduces fuel economy through increased rolling resistance (soft tires make your vehicle work harder)

 

Solution:

Add air to your tire until it reaches the proper air pressure (psi, as measured by an air pressure gauge). To find the proper air pressure, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or find your recommended psi on the sticker on your door jamb (Here’s how.)

If your tire continues to lose pressure, visit your local authorized Michelin tire dealer.

6 5 tip wearbothsides 140319

Uneven Wear

6 5 tip unevenwear 140908

Poor Alignment

You need an alignment when you notice:

  • Uneven front or rear tire wear
  • Changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response (e.g., pulling to one side)

 

Solution:

Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. If this is the case, your vehicle may need a "front end" alignment or a "four wheel" alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. See your local Michelin authorized tire dealer for service and inspection.

Scalloped

Poor Alignment

You need an alignment when you notice:

  • Uneven front or rear tire wear
  • Changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response (e.g., pulling to one side)

 

Solution:

Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. If this is the case, your vehicle may need a "front end" alignment or a "four wheel" alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. See your local Michelin authorized tire dealer for service and inspection.

6 5 tip scalloped 140908

Overinflation issues:

  • On an overinflated tire, the center of the tread bears most of the load and wears out faster than the outside edges.
  • To prevent overinflation, always check tires when they’re cold or before they’ve been driven.
  • Or, check tires at least three hours after they have been driven.

 

Solution:

Take air out of your tire, using a tire pressure gauge, until your air pressure reading matches your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended psi. To find the proper air pressure, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or find your recommended psi on the sticker on your door jam. (Here’s how.)

Sawtooth or Feathered Edges

6 5 tip sawtooth bubble 140908

Misalignment

Misalignment issues:

  • If a vehicle is misaligned, the edges of the tread have a sawtooth or feathered appearance.
  • This is caused by erratic scrubbing against the road.

 

Solution:

Your car most likely needs a toe-in or toe-out alignment correction. (For more information on toe-in and toe-out alignment, click here.) See your local authorized Michelin tire dealer for helpful service.

Wear in Center and Excessive Wear

Overinflation issues:

  • On an overinflated tire, the center of the tread bears most of the load and wears out faster than the outside edges.
  • To prevent overinflation, always check tires when they’re cold or before they’ve been driven.
  • Or, check tires at least three hours after they have been driven.

 

Solution:

Take air out of your tire, using a tire pressure gauge, until your air pressure reading matches your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended psi. To find the proper air pressure, consult your vehicle’s owner’s manual or find your recommended psi on the sticker on your door jam. (Here’s how.)

6 5 tip wearcenter 140319

Dips

6 5 tip dipscups 140319

Worn Parts

Worn parts issues:

  • Cupping (also called dipping or scalloping) is most common on front tires.
  • Rear tires can cup, however, as well.

 

Solution:

Worn parts may be a sign that wheels are out of balance or that suspension or steering system parts need service or replacement. Please see your local authorized Michelin retailer for helpful service and inspection.

Damage

6 5 tip damage 140319

Damage That Requires Repair

Tire Damage Issues:

  • Most punctures nail holes, or cuts up to ¼" confined to the tread may be repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved procedures.
  • An on-the-wheel plug-only repair is not reliable and is dangerous because the inside of a tire must be inspected after a puncture.

Solution:

If your vehicle is equipped with one of the several types of temporary spares, replace your damaged tire with the spare, but be sure to first check the spare tire's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations. Take your vehicle into an authorized Michelin retailer for an inspection as soon as possible.

The proper repair of a radial tire includes the placing of a rubber patch on the inner liner of the tire and a rubber filling of the hole by a professional. Do not attempt to have repaired tires with tread punctures larger than ¼" or any sidewall puncture. Also, do not have tires repaired that are worn below 2/32" tread depth.

Cups

Worn Parts

Tire Damage Issues:

  • Cupping (also called dipping or scalloping) is most common on front tires.
  • Rear tires can cup, however, as well.

 

Solution:

Worn parts may be a sign that wheels are out of balance or that suspension or steering system parts need service or replacement. Please see your local authorized Michelin retailer for helpful service and inspection.

6 5 tip dipscups 140319

Bar Across Tread

6 5 tip baracross 140319

Worn-Out Tire

Worn-Out Tire Issues:

  • All tires have treadwear indicator bars at 2/32" of remaining tread.
  • When the tread is worn down to 2/32" or when you can see the treadwear indicator bars on any section of the tire, the tire is worn out and should be replaced.

 

Solution:

Take your vehicle into an authorized Michelin retailer for an inspection and have a professional measure the remaining tread with a tread depth gauge.

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