Tyre scalloping: causes, signs, and prevention

Tyre scalloping or tyre cupping refers to random and uneven tyre wear found across the tread. These irregular patterns, usually 3 to 4 inches wide, mark the areas of acceleration with distinct peaks and depressions caused by the bouncing up and down of your vehicle. You are most likely to experience the full effect of tyre scalloping when driving on bumpy road surfaces.

Tyre misalignments, worn-out suspensions, unbalanced tyres, and incorrect tyre pressure are the usual suspects for tyre scalloping.

• Tyre misalignments: When tyres are not perfectly aligned, you will experience a strong steering to one side. This creates multiple inconsistencies in friction levels and stark differences in certain wear points. Rapid and sharp cornering can put unnecessary pressure or stress on the tyres which inevitably perpetuates tyre scalloping. 
   

• Worn-out suspension components: Over time, bits and pieces of your vehicle suspension will start to wear and become less responsive. You will notice that your tyres develop smaller contact patches on the road and are more prone to shocks, vibrations, and accidents.
  
  

• Unbalanced tyres: If the weight of your tyres is not well distributed across their circumference, more force will be applied to one area of the tread when coming to contact with the road surface. While proper tyre maintenance can easily resolve the issue of tyre imbalance, mud, dirt, snow or other road debris can still bring about scalloped tyres.
  
  

• Tyre pressure: Incorrect tyre pressure, either underinflation or overinflation, can also cause tyre scalloping due to uneven tread touching road surfaces.

• Tyre noise: If you notice a rhythmic growling or grinding noise coming from the tyres, you are likely to be experiencing tyre scalloping. So, expect louder noise as you pick up the speed. 

• Uncontrolled veering: You would feel a powerful pull towards one side of the road when your tyres are not properly aligned. This makes driving in a straight line with scalloped tyres virtually impossible. 

• Excessive shaking: Vibrating felt through the steering wheel signifies the imbalance of your front wheels while the shaking of the driver’s seat points at unbalanced back wheels.

The good news is that tyre scalloping is preventable. Follow the steps below to ensure a safe driving experience.

• Check air pressure: Tyre pressure can directly affect safety on the road. Underinflated or overinflated tyres can all lead to loss of vehicle handling and control. Having your tyre pressure checked once every month can drastically reduce the risk of tyre scalloping.  

• Check tyre alignment and suspension: To lower the possibility of tyre scalloping, we suggest that you keep your tyres’ alignments in their intended positions. Have both your tyre alignment and suspension looked at by tyre professionals annually.  

• Check tyre balance: An out-of-balance tyre means that certain parts of your tyre experience greater force than others. This is a common leading cause of tyre scalloping. To prevent this, contact tyre specialists near you for wheel adjustment and tyre rebalance. 

• Rotate your tyres: An even tyre tread is less likely to develop into scalloped tyres. We recommend that you rotate your tyres once every 10,000 km. Tyre rotation helps better distribute the uneven-ness of your tyres and extend their lifespan. 

• Get new tyres: In the case where your tyres are severely damaged, we strongly recommend that you replace your old tyres with new ones.

 
It is worth noting that many of these can be carried out together in a single tyre health check-up.

In most cases, you can tell whether or not your tyres need to be repaired or replaced from the damages on your tyres. While this is also true for scalloped tyres, your options are entirely dependent on your convenience. 

Tyre repair is more economical but it can be a lengthy and time consuming process. If your tyre specialists has come to a conclusion that the damages to your tyres are beyond repair, they would recommend tyre replacements. This is the fastest and most convenient way to fix scalloped tyres.

Whenever you notice a strong pull towards one direction, a juddering in your steering wheel, or a loud tyre noise during the drive, do not hesitate to contact a tyre professional for a tyre repair or replacement.

Are you looking for new tyres? Replace your current ones with Michelin tyres for a more enjoyable ride. Explore our tyre options by using our tyre finder below to search by driving experience, vehicle type, or product family.