What Do Bald Tires Look Like Inside/Outside? It’s Meaning

Seasoned drivers and experts often advise each other not to “let the tires go bald.” We all know it must be something bad (otherwise, why would people avoid them?), yet the exact implications they bring about are still confusing to some beginners. 

No worries; this post will explain all aspects of bald tires in more detail. 

What Is A Tire Balding On Outside? Why Are My Tires Balding So Fast?

In simpler terms, they are tires with little (or even no) remaining tread

Tire treads wearing down quickly after each driven mile is no longer an unfamiliar sight to all drivers. Yet, aside from natural causes, many other factors also contribute to their deterioration. 

Here are the most common reasons to look out for:

1. Overloaded and Underinflated Tires

Never forget that the air within the tires must withstand the entire weight of your vehicle. Hence, treads with a severe lack of air are regarded as “under-inflated,” causing immense stress on your tire than what it’s designed for. 

Another issue is overloading, meaning the tire carries loads greater than its current capacities. Like underinflation, the dilemma also subjects your cars to higher stress levels, leading to reduced treadwear. Worse, tire failures (more commonly known as “tire blowouts”) will be inevitable in more extreme cases. 

2. Misaligned and Unbalanced Tires

Wheels and tires often have specific areas that are slightly lighter or heavier than the rest. They give birth to “balancing” services where technicians add weights in special spots to even out the tire.

Your failure to have the car serviced and balanced will result in uneven treads and violent vibrations at high speed. 

On another note, alignment holds equal importance to the car, fostering high-quality suspension to ensure proper rolls, stable handling, good treadwear, and strong traction. 

Once the car’s suspension gets out of control (or out of line/alignment), the vehicle can no longer roll straight. Rather, they will slip at angles and become vertically tilted. 

Do not be surprised if the uneven tread wear experiences unusual increases after that, prompting the car to shake on both sides!

3. Neglected Vehicle and Tire Maintenance

Having a consistent maintenance schedule enables drivers to spot worn tires on time. Neglecting proper car maintenance will increase the risks of unbalance/ underinflation/ misalignment issues, resulting in flat tires.

For more: Flat Spot on Tires

What Are Some Visible Indicators of Bald Tires? 

Check whether your car suffers from at least one of the following symptoms. If there is nothing wrong with the tread depth and tire pressure, chances are the wheels are just too old.

1. Uneven Wear

It should be among the first symptoms to pay attention to. With uneven wear, your car will struggle to reach a timely, full stop. They also imply it’s time for your vehicle to go to alignment services. 

2. Driving Noises

Few signs are as obvious and glaring as noises during a driving trip. How to confirm that, though? Lower the car’s window, turn off the radio, and listen closely to your vehicle during its run. 

Sometimes, inexperienced drivers confuse tire noises with road noises (the ones caused by extra road contact when the tread grooves are depleted or dissipate). 

To tell the two apart, ask yourself whether the noise’s volume decreases or increases depending on the current speed. If yes, they are indeed noises from your bald tires.

3. Cracks or Bulges

Bulges or cracks result from tire stiffening whenever the temperature dips low. One or two winter seasons are more than enough to crack the tire sidewalls.

These defects might also occur due to excessive air circulation between the outer rubbers and tire linings. Once you spot them on the tire, bring it immediately to trusted shops for replacements/repairs/analysis. 

4. Air Pressure Issues

Low pressure is not something you should be concerned about if its frequency is low. But pressure issues that repeat too often will soon become problematic, especially during colder months when the temperature drops significantly. 

They are clear indicators that the tire suffers from serious puncture problems. Play it safe by having the car inspected immediately by professionals.

5. Vibrations

Even the most clueless novice can recognize them in an instant. Vibrations caused by bald rear tires often occur at high frequencies, causing both the drivers and passengers immense discomfort throughout the ride. 

The tire’s alignment and suspensions likely malfunction at this point, requiring immediate treatments to negate the damage.

Again, trusted mechanics and technicians will be your best ally. Ask them to determine what went wrong with the tires. 

6. Blisters or Bubbles

Any tire with a transparent blister and bubble should not be left that way for long; fix or get rid of it as soon as possible!

Why is that? Bubbles signal that the tire’s inferior has been destroyed due to collision/crashes with other objects and curbs. 

Thankfully, you do not have to worry too much about the costs of replacing bad tires after accidents. Many warranty and insurance policies have these mishaps covered. 

7. Tire Age

Some readers ask us, What if none of the above happens to my car? In that case, it’s time to ponder whether your car tires are too old to use. 

Check the manual or documented files if you feel unsure about their age. You can also count on expert auto teams, who can determine how much remaining time they have got. 

Most tires can last about 3-5 years, but those engaged in high speeds/frequencies can only survive two years (sometimes even fewer). Better be safe than sorry; replace them before they get worse! 

How to Prevent Them From Going Bald In The Future

You don’t want these disasters to return, do you? Then adopt the following safety tricks to keep them at bay forever:

  • Keep them inflated properly. If the air pressure is substandard, your cars will meet their demise sooner than expected. Most cars specify their required pressure levels in the sticker (near drivers’ doors) or manual. Study them carefully!
  • Have a regular rotation schedule. Rotating your tires every half year/six months would be ideal. Otherwise, two of the four tires will wear down much faster than your remaining ones.
  • Keep them properly aligned. Like rotations, your maintenance schedules should also be followed strictly. Alignments are recommended every two/three years; nevertheless, misaligning problems might occur sooner than that due to crashes with curbs or potholes. Keep an eye on them.
  • Maintain its suspension. We are talking about the struts, shocks, and front-end features. Always ask the technicians to inspect them during your maintenance routines or oil changes. Otherwise, uneven treads will inevitably follow if you let these compartments wear out.

FAQs

Can We Drive Our Cars If They Have Bald Tires?

Yes, you can, but that’s not recommended. Too many risks are at play, especially on wet road surfaces!

How Long Can You Drive On A Bald Tire?

It can last you about 200 miles. Anything beyond that, and you will need to give them quick fixes/replacements.

Do They Leak or Lose Air?

Yes. The air will start leaking out through tiny cracks on the worn-out treads. 

Conclusion

Hopefully, the symptoms and causes of bald tires are no longer an enigma to you. Remember three simple rules – keeping them inflated, aligned, and regularly maintained – and you are good to go! 


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Michael Koper

Michael Koper

Maintenance Mechanic At Interstate Tires

Michael Koper is a skilled Maintenance Mechanic with over 7 years of experience in tire and wheel repair. He specializes in diagnosing and repairing issues, performing routine maintenance, and ensuring quality standards at Interstate Tires.


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