Tire Wear, Center

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This wear pattern is found on drive wheels on high-powered vehicles that often drive long stretches at high speed.

At high speeds, the centrifugal force increases the tire diameter at the center of the tread more than at the shoulders of the tire. The drive forces from the center area of the tread are transferred to the road surface. This is reflected in the wear pattern.

These effects can appear especially extreme on wide tires.

Reducing the tire pressure is not an effective remedy for this wear pattern.

CAUTION:

For safety reasons, tire pressure must never be lowered below specified pressure under any circumstances.

A largely even wear pattern can be achieved if tires are changed in a timely manner from the tractive to the non-tractive axle.

Typical wear pattern of tires on the tractive axle of high-powered vehicles. The increased wear at the tread center is caused by stresses related to the centrifugal force of the tire and the transmission of traction forces.

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC