Noticed the inside edge of your tyres wearing faster than the rest? You’re not alone—it’s one of the most common tyre wear issues drivers face. While it might seem minor at first, inside tyre wear can seriously affect your car’s handling, safety, and even fuel efficiency.
Here’s why tyres wear on the inside, what it means, and how to fix it before it turns into a costly problem.
1. Wheel Alignment Issues
The number one cause of inside tyre wear is incorrect wheel alignment—specifically negative camber or toe-out settings.
- Camber refers to the angle of the wheel relative to the vertical axis. When the top of the tyre tilts inward (negative camber), the inside edge makes more contact with the road, causing faster wear.
- Toe-out means the front of the tyres are pointing slightly outward. This also increases inner edge contact and wear.
Alignment can go out over time from everyday driving, hitting potholes, curbs, or speed bumps too hard. If it’s not corrected, the tyres continue to wear unevenly.
2. Worn or Damaged Suspension Components
Your suspension system—think control arms, bushings, ball joints, and struts—keeps the wheels aligned and balanced as you drive. If any part of the suspension is worn, bent, or loose, it can shift the tyre’s position and angle, leading to excessive inner-edge wear.
Suspension wear is common in older vehicles or cars that regularly carry heavy loads or drive on rough roads.
3. Low Tyre Pressure
Driving with under-inflated tyres doesn’t just reduce fuel economy—it also changes how the tyre contacts the road. Low pressure can cause the tyre to sag inward slightly, increasing pressure on the inside edge and accelerating wear.
Always check your tyre pressure monthly and inflate to the recommended PSI (found on your car’s tyre placard or manual).
4. Aggressive Driving or Hard Cornering
Frequent hard cornering or aggressive driving can place extra stress on the edges of your tyres—especially the inner shoulders. While this won’t cause uneven wear as quickly as alignment or suspension problems, it can contribute over time if paired with other issues.
5. Lowered Cars and Camber Kits
If you’ve lowered your car or fitted aftermarket suspension, it often increases negative camber for handling or appearance. While this can improve cornering, it usually leads to faster inner tyre wear unless it’s adjusted or paired with a proper alignment.
What to Do if You Notice Inside Tyre Wear
- Get a wheel alignment check immediately
- Inspect suspension components for wear or damage
- Check and correct tyre pressure
- Rotate your tyres regularly to balance wear (every 8,000–10,000 km)
- Replace worn tyres if the inner edge is too far gone—it can be dangerous, even if the rest of the tread looks fine
In Summary
Tyres wearing on the inside is usually a sign something’s out of spec—whether it’s your alignment, suspension, or tyre pressure. Catching it early and getting it fixed can save your tyres, improve your fuel efficiency, and make your car safer on the road.
If you’re unsure, visit a trusted tyre shop for a free inspection and alignment check. It’s a quick way to protect both your tyres and your wallet.