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Lexus: Why are My Tires Wearing Unevenly?

There are two primary causes for uneven tire wear on your Lexus. This article will help you diagnose the reason and identify the necessary repair to get your Lexus rolling smoothly again.

By Bart Kempff - December 3, 2014

This article applies to the Lexus IS, GS, ES, RX (2005-2013).

Uneven tire wear can cost you both money and performance with your Lexus. Identifying the problem and repairing it can be a quick fix or a matter of bringing your Lexus to a trained tire technician.

Materials Needed

  • Air pressure gauge
  • Air pump or compressor

Step 1 - Check the air pressure

The most common cause for uneven tire wear in the Lexus is incorrect air pressure in the tires.

  • Review the owner's manual, check the sticker on the inside of the driver's door, or check the online specifications for your Lexus' recommended air pressure range. Note that the front and rear tires may have different air pressure recommendations.
  • Confirm your Lexus is parked on a flat surface, then go to each tire, insert the air pressure gauge, and take notes on what the gauge reads. Take these notes and compare them to the recommended tire specifications; if the numbers are not in the range, then your uneven tire wear is most likely caused by the incorrect air pressure.
  • Use your own pump/air compressor, or go to the local gas station with available air, and fill your tires until the air pressure gauge meets your Lexus' specifications.
Figure 1. Check the PSI level for over or under inflated tires.

Step 2 - Check for misalignment

To understand if misalignment is causing your uneven tire wear, you must examine your tires thoroughly and attempt to identify the uneven wear pattern. There are essentially three types of wear patterns from misalignment:

  • "Heel/toe wear" occurs when one side of the tread is wearing faster than the other. The common cause for this pattern occurs when the tow of the car is out of alignment, with the tires either facing inward or outward.
  • "Feathered wear patterns" can be identified by rubbing your hand over the tread of the tire, and feeling bumps that are similar to a sawtooth. The cause of this uneven pattern is typically excessive toe and caster settings on your alignment.
  • "One-sided shoulder wear" can be recognized by one shoulder rib of the tread being much more worn than the other side. Excessive positive or negative camber is the usual cause for this wear pattern.
  • Figure 2. Heel and toe wear.
  • Figure 3. Feathered wear.
  • Figure 4. Shoulder wear.

Pro Tip

If you believe that the tire alignment for your Lexus is the cause for your uneven wear, then bring your Lexus into your local service center or Lexus dealer. Tire alignment can be a very technical task, and the specialized tools needed to ensure proper alignment and rotation are best used in the hands of a trained tire technician.

(Related Article: Why Does My Car Pull in One Direction - ClubLexus.com)

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