My right rear tire went low one day and it seems like since then, I've had crazy excessive tread wear on that one tire. I'm planning to get the tires swapped out soon, but what should I have them check while they are working on it. Possible rim damage? or alignment? or maybe something more critical. It's all stock and it's got 40k miles.

 

I'd say an alignment for sure!

 

What does the wear look like?

 

The wear is all on the outermost part of the tread as well as up the sidewall a little. The top half of the letters on the sidewall are worn down, almost gone. Tread on the inside looks like it's in the same shape as all the other tires. I'm definately taking this in within the next week or so for new tires, and the suggestion for an alignment will certainly be requested. I'll try to post pictures if I get a chance to take them before replacing the tires. Thanks.

 

That wear pattern is caused by running for a while with low air pressure. Just make sure you check it often and even put a pound or two extra in that tire so it doesn't wear any more on the outer edges.

That tire may also have a slow leak caused by a bad bead or nail. Put a bunch of air in (40 psi), then spray it down with water and look for bubbles coming from the tread or around the rim of the wheel, or valve stem.

 

It HAS been tough to keep good pressure in there. I'm sure you are right-on regarding the current tread wear. That's one more reason to get new tires. To prevent another tire from the same fate, I'll check with the spray on the rim and valve. Thanks for the help.

 

maybe the valve stems are leaking. and next time you get tires fitted or what have you ask for nitrogen in your tires. leak much less . cost about 4 bucks per tire.

 

Nitro in the tires....Sweet tip! Thanks a bunch!

 

not a problem. I know almost all costco tire places have it. and independent tire shops are starting to. chain tire stores most offer it. just call around.

 

Costco is where I was heading. Still going to try the water spray trick, too, just in case I'm missing something simple. Thanks.

 

I had the same problem about a month ago with my left rear. It was to the point where the top half of the letters on the sidewall were ground off, and it would oversteer when made a hard right turn, but it didn't freak me out for some reason. I actually thought it was kinda fun, even though I knew it was bad. The treads were wearing down anyways, so I replaced all 4.