Tire Cupped

Q: What does it mean when tires are cupped?

A: The tread on the tire has abnormal wear. Cupping can be caused by improper tire balance, weak shocks or struts, or other worn suspension components. This abnormal wear occurs when the tire bounces slightly as it is rotating down the highway. To check your shocks and struts, complete a bounce test on the car. Push down on the end of the car that the tires are wearing abnormally and see what happens. The car should bounce back up and stop bouncing. If the car continues to bounce more than twice, the shocks or struts could be worn. Check both the front and back of the car. Remember to rotate tires every 7500 miles to maximize their life.