When it comes to the health of our cars, we’re always on the lookout for issues that could cause bigger problems down the road, including accelerated tire wear. In some cases, the front tires might wear down faster than the back ones. But why would your front tires be wearing out faster than the back?
Your front tires can wear faster if your car uses front-wheel drive, you have heavy acceleration or steering, the wheels are misaligned, or the suspension is out of position. You can prevent this by keeping the tires in good condition and getting the wheels aligned regularly.
Check this guide if you find your tires wearing on the inside.
This post looks at some of the most likely causes and offers some solutions. So if your front tires seem to be wearing down more quickly than the others, keep reading!
Why your front tires are wearing
Let’s take a look at some of the main reasons your front tires are wearing down faster than the rear tires.
Your car is a front-wheel drive
The main reason why your front tires would wear out faster than the others is that your car is front-wheel drive. In a front-wheel drive vehicle, the engine sends power to the wheels that are in the front.
As a result, the front wheels must work hard to pull the vehicle and, in turn, can make them potentially skid on occasions, causing them to wear down faster.
You have heavy acceleration
Another reason your front tires might wear out faster is that you have heavy acceleration.
When you press the gas pedal, the car accelerates. That puts a lot of force on the front tires.
The faster you accelerate, the more force is put on the tires, causing them to wear down more quickly.
You have heavy steering
Heavy steering occurs when you have to turn the steering wheel with much force to make the car turn. It’s more common in larger vehicles, like SUVs.
If you have to turn the steering wheel a lot, more force is placed on the front tires, causing them to wear out faster. Besides, this can also make the car feel less stable and cause it to veer off course.
The following video describes the common causes of heavy steering in a vehicle:
Your wheels are misaligned
If your wheels are misaligned, it means that they’re not pointing in the same direction. That can happen if you hit a curb or pothole. It can also occur if you don’t get your wheels aligned regularly.
When the wheels are misaligned, they wear down quickly and faster on specific areas of the tire. This will also put more friction on the tires being unable to roll efficiently, causing them to wear out faster. It can also cause the car to pull to one side.
The suspension is not in position
The suspension is the system of springs and shock absorbers that connects the wheels to the car. Its job is to keep the wheels in contact with the ground and absorb bumps.
If the suspension is not in the proper position, it can cause the tires to wear out faster. That’s because the suspension is not doing its job correctly, and the tires must work harder to move the vehicle.
How to prevent your tires from wearing unevenly
Keep your tires in good condition
One of the best ways to prevent your tires from wearing unevenly is to keep them in good condition. Here are some tips:
- Check the air pressure regularly. The ideal pressure is written on the side of the tire.
- Check the tread depth. The minimum depth is 1.6 mm (0.06 in). You can check it with a tread depth gauge or a coin. If the tread is shallow, get a new tire as soon as possible.
- Rotate the tires. That means switching the position of the tires. The front ones go to the back, and the back ones go to the front. That way, all the tires wear evenly.
Also, remember to never overinflate your tires, and always check to see if your tires are bald.
Get your wheels aligned frequently
If you get your wheels aligned, it means that they’re pointing in the same direction. That can help prevent the tires from wearing out unevenly.
Most carmakers recommend checking the alignment every 16,000 km (10,000 miles). But it’s a good idea to check it more often if you notice that the car is pulling to one side or the other.
Inspect and fix your suspension system
If you suspect the suspension system is faulty, call a mechanic and have it inspected. They’ll be able to tell you if there’s a problem and fix it.
Besides, the mechanic can also check the alignment and adjust it if necessary. Remember, a well-functioning suspension system can help prevent the tires from wearing out unevenly.
Video of why tires wear down faster
The bottom line
There are several reasons why your front tires might be wearing out faster than the others. The most common one is that your car is front-wheel drive. But other causes include heavy acceleration, heavy steering, and misaligned wheels.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent the tires from wearing out unevenly, including keeping the tires in good condition and getting the wheels aligned frequently. You should also inspect and fix your suspension system if necessary.