If you’ve spotted the edges of your tyres wearing faster than the rest, you’re definitely not alone. We see this heaps at Grimmer Motors in Frankton, especially with all the stop-start traffic on Avalon Drive or cruising down Cambridge Road. Tyre edge wear is just one of those things that sneaks up – you might not feel it until your WOF Hamilton check, or when it starts to affect how the car handles on those big roundabouts towards Rototuna or out towards Te Kowhai.
Why Your Tyres Wear on the Edge in Hamilton
Hamilton conditions are rough on tyres. All those potholes around Nawton, lumped with wet winter mornings and blazing summer runs over the Victoria Bridge – it all adds up. Tyre wear’s completely normal, but when it starts chewing away at the edge, something’s usually up. Some days, it’s an elderly Toyota Estima that comes in with uneven wear, other days it’s a young mum’s Mercedes A-Class, or even a late model Kia hybrid from Tamahere. Doesn’t matter the make or gender of the driver – edge wear can hit anyone.
Check That Tread Depth
In NZ, the minimum legal tread depth is 1.5mm. That’s all the way around, in every major groove. If you’re regularly running past the Base in the rain, or cutting across to Matangi on a foggy morning, you want well above that. Anything less and you’re asking for trouble – not just when that next Warrant of Fitness comes around.
Main Causes of Edge Tyre Wear (And Some Real Examples)
1. Dodgy Tyre Pressure
Easily one of the biggest culprits. Had a Mazda CX-5 in last week from Hillcrest – tyres looked nearly new up top, but both edges worn right down. Turns out she hadn’t checked her pressures in months. Underinflation makes the edges wear, overinflation destroys the middle. Always stick to what’s in your door jamb or check here for the right pressure. Helps with fuel economy, handling, and keeping your tyres living longer.
2. Wheel Alignment’s Out
Ever hit one of those deep potholes on Mill Street or gone hard over the speed bumps out near Dinsdale? Your wheels could be pointing the wrong way. Wheel alignment is a big deal for tyre life. If your alignment is off, you might see:
- Heel/toe wear: Tread looks choppy from back to front, usually poor toe setting.
- Feather edge wear: Tread gets a serrated feel – often too much toe or caster.
- One-sided shoulder wear: Inside or outside rib gone – this is usually dodgy camber angles. Happened to a lady’s Peugeot 308 from Ngaruawahia last month after she’d hit a kerb avoiding a loose dog.
3. Suspension Damage
Broken or worn suspension components like tie rods or bushings can throw your alignment way out. Had an Audi Q5 in from Raglan – one side worn bald on the edge thanks to a flogged lower control arm. If it’s got a knock or pull, get it checked.
4. Car Leaning or Sitting Crooked
Had a Honda Fit from Gordonton with a sag on one rear spring – put all the weight on one edge of the tyre, so it just chewed through rubber fast. Leaning or sagging car? More than just bad looks, it’s hurting your wallet too.
5. Braking Problems
If brakes grab or stick, tyres can wear uneven. Seen it mostly after a stuck caliper in a Subaru Outback, which started heating up one front tyre and wearing the edge much faster than the rest. Noticed a burning smell? Could be brakes, could be that tyre scrubbing out.
Why Tyre Wear Really Matters
Tyres with bugger-all tread can cause real danger. If your car can’t grip the greasy tarmac through Huntly in winter, you could end up skidding or hydroplaning. Summer’s no better if your tread’s gone and you hit those tarseal patches that get slippery as. Your safety, your family’s, everyone else’s – all starts with having decent rubber on the road.
Sorting Tyre Wear and New Tyres in Hamilton
If your tyres are getting thin on the edge, failed a WOF Hamilton check, or you’re just not confident after a look yourself, swing by Grimmer Motors. Whether you need a new set of tyres, a wheel alignment, or just some old-fashioned advice, we’ll sort you out. Our techs work on everything from Suzuki Swifts to Volvo wagons, so you’re in good hands. Hamilton, Morrinsville, Cambridge – locals all over trust us to keep them rolling safe and legal.