Tire Cupping: Causes, Warning Signs, and How to Prevent It

Sometimes, the simplest description is the best. When it comes to tire cupping, that’s certainly true. Tire cupping looks like irregular dips or cups along the edge of the tire. When cupping on a tire happens, it’s often because the tires were not rotated every 5,000 miles. It can also be an issue with the alignment, shocks, struts or other parts of the suspension. Let’s take a look at what causes tire cupping, how it can affect your overall performance and vehicle safety, and what to do to avoid it.

What is Tire Cupping?

Cupping or small dips on the edge of the tread are hard to miss. While it might not seem possible, those small valleys on your tires can cause all kinds of safety issues. It can also cost you more money. That’s because as tires wear down unevenly, they need to be replaced sooner than expected. That irregular tire wear can cause a rougher ride, longer stopping distances, and noises while driving. Other irregular tire wear patterns include diagonal or patchy wear, feathering, excessive center wear, as well as sidewall bulges and tire chunking.

Tire cupping, seen on the right, can cause performance issues.

Causes of Tire Cupping

In some cases, tire cupping is simply caused when tires aren’t rotated regularly. Les Schwab recommends you rotate your tires every 5,000 miles to get the most out of your investment. Other possible causes include worn or bent suspension parts, alignment issues (camber, caster, or toe settings), tire and wheel assemblies that need rebalancing, or incorrect tire pressure.

Here's a closer look at possible causes:

Vehicle Out of Alignment: When all four wheels aren’t facing the same direction, it can cause the tires to rub slightly against the pavement. This causes irregular wear, including cupping.
Suspension Issues: As your shocks or struts wear down, it may impact how your tires make contact with the road, which could cause cupping.
Unbalanced Tire and Wheel Assemblies: When a tire and wheel assembly are unbalanced, it can cause noises, a rough ride, and tread cupping when the tread does not evenly connect with the road.
Tire Quality: As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. That’s especially true with tires. Lower-quality tires can be more susceptible to cupping and other wear issues. That’s why we only sell tires we can guarantee with America’s Best Tire Warranty.
Tire Pressure: Whether the tire pressure in your tires is too high or too low, it can cause irregular wear, including cupping, and other issues, such as tread separation and cracking. Check the air pressure in your tires every month and add air as needed to get the most life out of your tires.
Camber, Caster, and Toe: If you’re new to camber, caster and toe, check out our article on the subject. If the camber or toe are out of alignment, it can cause cupping on both the front and rear tires.

Warning Signs of Tire Cupping

Aside from the visual indicators, including cupping along the edge of the tire, there are some warning signs. These include:

Shaking or Vibrations: You’ll likely feel this through your steering wheel.
Tire Noises: Cupping can cause rhythmic noises, along with other rumbling sounds on smooth roads.
Pulling to One Side: When a vehicle is out of alignment, it can cause the vehicle to pull to one side. This pull can lead to tire cupping, which can make that pull even worse.
Suspension Components: Anytime your vehicle bounces up and down a lot over speed bumps and at stops, or sways in a turn, it could be your suspension, which can lead to tire cupping. Ignoring tire cupping, and suspension repairs can further damage other parts of your vehicle.

What to Do if You Notice Tire Cupping

When you notice tire cupping, get to Les Schwab. Our professionals know what to look for and can offer recommendations to get you safely back on the road. This might be something as simple as a tire rotation or vehicle alignment. When they need to be replaced, you’ll find the tires you need backed by America’s Best Tire Warranty at Les Schwab.

Why Tire Cupping is Dangerous

The tread on your tires is designed to keep uniform contact with the road. This area where the tread and road meet is called the contact patch. The bigger the contact patch, the better your vehicle will perform, as well as stop when needed. When that contact patch is compromised with cupping and other irregular wear, it can lead to noises, vibrations, loss of control, and less-than-stellar stopping. Plus, it can cost you money when you have to buy tires too soon or parts of your vehicle need repairs or replacement.

How to Prevent Tire Cupping

When irregular wear and tire cupping starts, it can be very difficult or impossible to fix. To help avoid tire cupping and save yourself some money, try these tips:

Get your tires rotated every 5,000 miles. Those rotations are free when you have Les Schwab Tires and America’s Best Tire Warranty.
Get your alignment checked at least once a year. A properly maintained alignment can help your car or truck last longer, improve your MPG or range, save you money on repair bills, and ensure you get the most life out of your tires.
Keep your tires properly inflated. Check the air in your tires every month to avoid cupping and other tire issues. Stop by Les Schwab and we’ll check the air in your tires and top them off for free.
Buy the right tires. At Les Schwab, we have the right tires for what and where you drive, including all-weather and all-season tires. When you have the best tires for your driving needs, there’s a good chance they will last longer and help keep you and your family safe.
Keep up on your suspension. Regular inspections can help avoid cupping and other issues that could lead to costly repair bills.

Stay Safe and Extend Your Tire Life – Schedule Your Free Inspection Today!

Regular checks of your vehicle’s alignment, suspension, tires, wheels, battery, and brakes can help save you money and ensure your tires last as long as possible. Schedule your free pre-trip safety check at Les Schwab today. We’ll check your tires for cupping and visually inspect some of your vehicle’s most important parts.

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