Tread Carefully: What Normal Tire Wear Looks Like
July 26, 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.
Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775
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