There's a big chance that you have heard of and experienced tire cupping before. It's when a tire wears down more rubber prematurely because the belt is rubbing against too many metal parts inside the tire. It could be caused by misalignment or improper adjustment of your alignment, bent rim, warped rim, or loose lug nuts, among other things. This article will give you information about tire cupping, such as symptoms and some tips for preventing it from happening.
What is tire cupping?
Tire cupping is a condition in which the outer surface of the tire becomes deformed or rounded due to excessive wear on the tire sidewall. It affects the tire's ability to grip the road, causing loss of traction and increased risk of crashes. When it comes to safety, tire cupping can cause severe consequences for your car or truck.
Here are some of the causes of tire cupping:
- Using cheap tires
One of the reasons for tire cupping is installing cheap tires. Cheap tires are made with less material, so they wear out faster and are less durable than name-brand tires like Toyo tires. The cheaper the tire, the more likely you will get cupping because there's less material holding your tire together.
- Misaligned tires
One of the common causes of tire cupping is misalignment. When the tire is out of alignment with the wheel hub, it produces uneven pressure through the tire as you drive. This uneven pressure can cause a bulge in the sidewall, usually called “tire cupping.” Some people refer to “cupped” tires as “warped” or “balding,” but all of these terms refer to the same thing, which is an outward bulge in the sidewall caused by uneven pressure from the tire itself.
- Worn-out suspensions and shock absorbers
When your shock absorbers and other suspension parts wear out, they lose their ability to absorb energy from bumps in the road. As a result, they flex too much and create uneven pressure on each tire. It causes the rubber on each tire to flatten out, forming a puddle of air around itself.
- Tire imbalance
Tire cupping can cause your tires to lose their shape and grip. The condition is caused by tire imbalance which causes one tire on your vehicle to have a lower sidewall height than the other. Various factors, including worn tread depth, improper inflation pressure, or alignment issues, can cause tire imbalance.
The impact of tire balance on cupping is that uneven wear between tires causes them to become deformed and form small bulges on the outer edges. This uneven tread pattern leads to cupping, making it harder for your car to maintain traction in wet or snowy conditions.
Signs of tire cupping
- Tire noise
The most common cause of tire noise is due to cupping on the inside of the tire. It happens because there is not enough air in the tire to evenly distribute the load on all four wheels and tires in the vehicle. As a result, some parts of the wheel carry more weight than others, causing them to flex more during cornering or acceleration. You may notice that your car's tires produce loud noises, such as popping, cracking, and hissing.
- Shaking and vibrating
Tire cupping causes shaking and vibrating, especially when the air pressure in your tires goes too high or too low. You can experience this problem when you have an unbalanced load on your vehicle, like when hauling a heavy trailer or boat. This imbalance can cause the wheels on your car to wobble and shake, which will cause you to feel vibrations every time you drive over bumps in the road or hit potholes on the road.
The most common symptoms of tire cupping include vibration from your wheels when driving, noise from under the hood, and uneven wear on one side of the treads of your tires.
- Poor steering control
When you have a buildup of air pressure inside one or more tires, it can cause poor steering control because it puts additional stress on your steering system. If you have an unevenly distributed load on your vehicle, it could also cause poor steering control when driving at higher speeds. Your affected tires can put additional weight on one side of your car or another, depending on which side is experiencing the most uneven load distribution.
- Changes in your tire's appearance
Tire cupping causes the tire to bulge out at the edges. This bulging can cause distinct changes in your tire's appearance, including a raised rim and flattened sidewalls. The bulging of a tire occurs when it has been overinflated or underinflated. Overinflation occurs when you inflate your tires beyond what they need, causing them to rupture. Underinflation happens when you deflate your tires too much, causing them to lose air pressure and become flat or cracked.
When this happens, the rubber inside your tires hardens. It causes them to stick together and form a “cup” shape at each tire corner. These “cups” are small cracks in the rubber, but they're not as noticeable because they're so small and hidden by other rubber parts.
How do you prevent tire cupping?
- Regular tire balancing and rotation
For tires to work properly, they must be balanced and rotated according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule. Tires that are not correctly rotated or balanced will cause cupping and pitting in the sidewall of your tires. It can result in reduced tire performance and even premature tire wear.
- Wheel alignment
A misalignment in the tire and wheel assembly may cause tire cupping. While it is not necessarily harmful, it can affect your vehicle's handling and fuel economy. Wheels do not align on their own when misalignment occurs. It can lead to many problems and eventually tire cupping.
Regular wheel alignment is crucial to maintaining proper tire wear and performance. It also allows you to keep your tires straight so they can wear evenly and efficiently. If you ignore this simple maintenance, your tires will wear unevenly and will begin to exhibit signs of cupping or other damage.
- Make sure the tires are correctly inflated
Make sure that you properly inflate your tires. The correct air pressure for your vehicle will depend on its make and model, but most cars need between 35 and 45 psi for optimal performance. If you reside in an area with high temperatures, keep your tires inflated every month during summer or when the climate gets colder. It will ensure that your tires don't wear out prematurely due to low air pressure.
- Regular tire inspection
Regular tire inspection is the first step in ensuring your tires stay in good condition. It will help detect any damage or wear on the tread and sidewalls before it becomes an issue. IAny cracks or holes in the tire will inevitably cause cupping (either on its own or due to other problems like balance issues). Without proper maintenance and inspection, your tires can lose excessive air pressure and ultimately fail.
Final words
Make sure to inspect your tires regularly. Examine the tread periodically for signs of wear, such as uneven wear on the sidewall or patches of missing tire material. Although there are many causes of tire cupping, proper maintenance can help keep your tires in good shape, so they won't affect vehicle performance and ensure passenger safety.
