• Check the remaining tread depth ñ tires are manufactured with a ìwear barî
that tells you when there is less than 1.6 mm (2/32 inch) of tread depth
remaining ñ when you see this wear bar, the tire must be replaced.
Monitoring tire wear patterns (see Figure 2) can provide you with early indications
of suspension and steering component problems, as well as show chronic tire
inflation problems. Excessive wear on the inside or outside edges of the tire can
indicate alignment problems. Excessive wear down the middle of the tire indicates
chronic over inflation. Excessive wear on both outside shoulders indicates chronic
under inflation. Feathering, a shredding of the rubber on the outside shoulder, can
indicate an alignment problem; and cupping, a repeating bald spot around the tireís
circumference, can indicate a wheel out of balance or a worn suspension.
Embedded objects such as stones and glass can cause leaks.