How can tire wear indicate possible alignment issues?

Tire wear can serve as a valuable indicator of alignment issues, primarily through the observation of uneven tread wear patterns. When a vehicle's wheels are not aligned properly, it can cause certain areas of the tire to make more contact with the road than others, leading to uneven wear. For example, if the front or rear wheels are toed in or out, you may observe wear on the inner or outer edges of the tires.

This uneven wear is a clear signal that there are alignment problems, as it reflects how the tires are making contact with the road under normal driving conditions. Identifying these wear patterns early can help prevent further tire damage and contribute to safer driving conditions. Proper alignment helps ensure that all tires wear evenly, which extends their lifespan and improves overall vehicle performance.

In contrast, excessively even tread across all tires suggests that there may not be any significant alignment issues, while worn-down tires that are smooth indicate general wear but do not specifically point to alignment problems. Increased tire pressure can cause different types of wear, but it is not directly indicative of alignment issues in the same clear manner that uneven tread wear patterns are.