Tire Wear, Outer Shoulder

Improper Use of Air Suspension Height Adjustment 

The use of off road levels is only recommended when driving off road. The permanent use of off road levels on normal roads can lead to increased tire wear because the changed height changes the wheel alignment relative to the road level.

Good vehicle and tire maintenance helps to prevent tire wear. The following points should especially be observed.

• The specified minimum tire pressures must be maintained.
• Different wear on front and rear axle cannot be avoided depending on driving style. This can be counteracted by regular tire rotation. This lends itself, for example, to the rotational change from summer to winter tires and back. This change has the positive side effect of all tires wearing evenly so a complete set of new tires can be installed. This prevents use of different tire tread depths on both axles, which can have negative effects on driving behavior.
• The formation of heel and toe wear is a normal wear pattern, particularly with a very smooth driving style. This can lead to increased rolling sounds which are generally improved with increased tread depth. If heel and toe wear is light or is still forming, exchanging tires on both sides is generally sufficient. With strong heel and toe wear, tires should be rotated so that their direction of travel is reversed. Refer to HEEL AND TOE WEAR 
• On some tire profiles, the effect of premature wear can be detected visually. If winter tire ribs or profile recesses have been worn off, only compact profile blocks without tread pattern, which gives the impression of a worn tire. In this case, the remaining profile depth in each tread groove must be measured. If it is greater than the legally required minimum tread depth (Germany 1.6 mm; it is recommended to use winter tries with a remaining profile of 4 mm only in summer use [regulation in Austria]), the tires can be reused without restrictions.