Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'99 Toyota Camry, Early Tire Wear
Q:
We have a ‘99 Camry which has done under 20k. All of this driving
has been highway driving. Most of the year the vehicle is kept in a garage
and only driven occasionally. We recently returned from a trip to Florida
and took the car in for a service. On picking up the vehicle we were told
that the rear tires ( which they had just rotated) were "1/8 inch
to wear bar" and would soon need replacing. Is this considered "normal"
wear and tear for tires used under these conditions? I believe the tires
are Dunlop Sport, and were factory installed. I think replacement at this
time seems premature and would appreciate your comments..............David
A:
You’re right that’s a little on the early side for having to
replace tires. It is likely that the problem is not the tire’s fault
but that of the vehicle’s alignment. On today’s vehicle an alignment
includes more than the front end of a vehicle. Your Toyota, like a majority
of newer vehicles, has adjustments for the rear wheel alignment. If the
alignment of the rear tires is off it can ruin a set of tires just as
fast as if the front of the vehicle was out of alignment. When you have
your tires replaced be sure to have a four wheel alignment performed.
The answer will be in the numbers and I’m willing to bet that your
Toyota’s alignment numbers are off.
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