Uneven wear in front tires

[John_H]

When the edges wear quicker than the center of each tire, it's usually an indication of underinflation. Check your tire pressure.

Higher pressure can also result in slightly better gas mileage.

[tbone28]

Have the toe checked out. Improper toe is a much bigger factor of inner tire wear than negative camber

[John_H]

Both outside edges of the tire wear heavily - is that toe?

[a2jack]

Here's the thread on Smart tire early wear out.
Tires Worn Out in Less than 1 Year.

[tbone28]

Originally Posted by John_H

Both outside edges of the tire wear heavily - is that toe?

could be. I forget which causes what, but toe-in vs. toe-out will result in either inner or outer tire wear.

I've been driving extremely lowered cars since 1995, and sometimes the camber is not correctable w/o custom work. As long as my toe is set to "zero", I have pretty even tire wear. I still wear out slightly more on the inner edge, but the difference is tremendous

you can see my front camber in this pic, but I wear pretty evenly



Pic of rear camber:



Pic of ride height:

[John_H]

Originally Posted by tbone28

could be. I forget which causes what, but toe-in vs. toe-out will result in either inner or outer tire wear.

The pictures suggest both the inside edge and outside edge are worn significantly more than the center. This doesn't sound like a toe problem. I tried to be clear by "outside edges" versus "center" but perhaps I should have specified "each" tire.

[tbone28]

Originally Posted by John_H

The pictures suggest both the inside edge and outside edge are worn significantly more than the center. This doesn't sound like a toe problem. I tried to be clear by "outside edges" versus "center" but perhaps I should have specified "each" tire.

oh, gotcha. i didn't look closely at his pics. i replied based on his written post of "wearing on inners..." If he's wearing on both inner and outer, then I don't know. Perhaps tire inflation issues?

[Padawan]

Originally Posted by John_H

The pictures suggest both the inside edge and outside edge are worn significantly more than the center. This doesn't sound like a toe problem. I tried to be clear by "outside edges" versus "center" but perhaps I should have specified "each" tire.

If the edges are wearing more than the centre, than it's almost certainly an issue of under-inflation.

If only only the inner or outer edges are wearing more, it could be an alignment issue, or simply due to the design of the suspension (as Old Smart mentioned). The wear can also be exaggerated depending upon driving style.

First, I'd have the alignment checked to make sure it's within proper spec. If it is, then it's not a warranty issue. Just maintain proper tire pressure, rotate them from side to side (or have them remounted on the opposite wheels for a nominal fee), and replace the tires as necessary.

Mine have almost 9,000 miles on them, and none of the tires are showing excessive wear.

[RVGRINGO]

Wow! That lowered car wouldn't survive a day in Mexico. It wouldn't make it over the first 'tope' (speed bumps found everywhere) and certainly wouldn't be able to pull off the road onto the non-existent shoulder. Those low profile tires wouldn't provide any protection from the steeper 'topes' and the rims would be destroyed at the first pothole or construction zone.

[Karl Roth]

If the car is aligned properly you could try slowing down. Or just pay the express surcharge.
karl