What is the recommended action if a tire shows excessive wear on one edge?

When a tire shows excessive wear on one edge, checking the wheel alignment is the recommended action because uneven tire wear is often a sign of misalignment. Misalignment can cause the tires to wear unevenly, leading to one edge showing much more wear than the other.

Proper wheel alignment ensures all four tires are making optimal contact with the road, reducing uneven tread wear and improving vehicle handling. Addressing the alignment issue can help prevent further excessive wear and prolong the life of the tires.

While other actions such as rotating tires or replacing them may seem relevant, they do not address the root cause of the problem, which is typically related to alignment. Rotating tires can help to even out wear patterns, but it won’t solve the underlying issue if alignment is off. Inflating the tire to maximum pressure is also not a solution; rather, it can lead to other issues such as decreased traction and compromised safety. Replacing the tire should be a last resort when other corrective measures have failed, especially if the excessive wear is linked to alignment problems. Therefore, the first step in addressing excessive wear on one edge of a tire should be to check the wheel alignment.