Uneven tyre wear in the fleet — what information to collect before a service visit?

Why uneven wear is not normal

Even wear of the tread between tyres and across a single tyre is the result of correct operation and maintenance. When wear is uneven, it most often indicates a technical factor (e.g. wheel alignment, worn suspension components, imbalance) or an operational factor (incorrect pressure, lack of rotation, aggressive driving style).

Identifying the cause without documentation is difficult — the workshop works more efficiently if the report contains specific measurements, photos and the vehicle history.

Steps for the driver — what to measure and record

Before the vehicle goes to the workshop, take quick, repeatable measurements and note the context. The most important are the ‘cold’ measurements — pressure and tread depth before starting to drive.

Measurements and data will facilitate an initial assessment and allow the workshop to decide whether immediate intervention is required.

• Tyre position on the vehicle (e.g. front left — FL, front right FR, rear left RL, rear right RR).
• ‘Cold’ pressure for each suspect tyre (also note the recommended pressure from the sticker on the door or the manual).
• Tread depth: inner / centre / outer (mm).
• Odometer reading (km) and the date the measurements were taken.
• Tyre brand and designation (size, load/speed index) and the DOT code (4 digits — week and year of manufacture).
• A short service history for the vehicle: date of last rotation, balancing, geometry check and any incidents (curb impact, off-road excursion).
• Information about the vehicle load on the day of observation (approximate cargo mass) and any TPMS messages.

How to photograph a tyre so the report is useful

Good photos speed up the analysis. Take them on a flat surface in good light and mark which tyre is being documented.

Prepare photos that show both the context (position on the vehicle) and details of damage and tyre markings.

• Wide shot showing the wheel on the vehicle with a legible position tag (e.g. a photo with a pinned note ‘PL-12345 – front left’).
• Close-up of the tread showing the wear pattern (angle and distance so irregularities are visible).
• Close-up of the sidewall with the DOT code and any damage (cuts, bulges, cracks).
• Photo of the pressure gauge showing the pressure and a photo of the dashboard/odometer reading to confirm mileage.

Recognising wear patterns — what to describe to the workshop

The way the tread wears gives clues to the most common causes. This is not a definitive diagnosis, but it is a valuable hint for the mechanic.

Describe the pattern precisely: whether the wear affects the inner edge, outer edge, centre, or whether there are local ‘bald spots’ or scalloping.

• Inner wear → possible negative camber (tilt) or worn suspension components.
• Outer wear → positive camber or frequent aggressive cornering.
• Centre wear → overinflation of the tyre.
• Shoulder wear (edges) → underinflation.
• Scalloping/cupping → worn shock absorbers or imbalance.
• Local ‘bald spots’ / localized damage → impacts, a defect at a single spot.

What to send immediately — priority content of the report

When you report a problem by phone or via a workshop form, not everything has to be sent at once — but there are items that should be included in the priority report.

A quick and complete report will speed the workshop’s decision on the urgency of intervention and the preparation of parts/diagnostic equipment.

• Photos: wide shot + tread close-ups + sidewall with DOT.
• Tyre location on the vehicle (e.g. ‘front left’).
• Cold pressure and tread depth measurement (mm).
• Odometer reading and date of observation.
• Information about visible damage (bulge, cut) and recent incidents (curb impact).
• If this is a critical defect (exposed cords, bulge, large cracks) — mark the need for immediate service and cessation of use.

Role of the fleet administrator — analysis and operational actions

The administrator should look beyond a single report: compare wear patterns across the same axle and between vehicles of the same series. If the problem occurs regularly, it may indicate service procedures, factory settings or a batch of tyres.

Additional data sources worth using: telematics (hard braking, harsh cornering, overloads) and the vehicle’s service history.

• Compare DOT codes between tyres from the same batch — matching batch codes may suggest a faulty batch.
• Use telematics data to link wear patterns to driver behaviours or routes.
• Adjust the tyre rotation and pressure check schedule based on collected data and workshop recommendations.

What to expect from the workshop and when to react immediately

After receiving complete data the workshop typically conducts an inspection: geometry measurement, assessment of suspension components, balancing and tyre inspection. Based on this it will propose a scope of actions (rotation, replacement, suspension repair, etc.).

If the documentation shows a critical defect (exposed cords, bulges, deep cracks), do not continue normal driving — treat it as a safety priority and request towing.

Summary

A well-prepared report with photographs, pressure and tread depth measurements and a short service history shortens diagnosis time and increases the chance of a good workshop decision. Drivers focus on reliable ‘cold’ measurements and documentation of the tyre location. Administrators use DOT and telematics data to analyse trends and adjust maintenance procedures. If necessary, contact the company car service or the fleet service department to coordinate next steps.