What Causes Tire Cupping?

When driving on the roads of Maple Shade, Moorestown, or Cherry Hill, NJ, the tires are what make contact with the road and help keep you on your intended path. If any issues arise, they could lead to an unbalanced ride, which could result in an accident.

That’s why you’ll want to address any issues, such as tire cupping, the moment they come up. There are several things that can cause tire cupping, which we’ll discuss below.

Read through this detailed guide, then contact Elite Acura with questions or to schedule service.

Why Are My Tires Cupping?

Tire cupping is when parts of the tire have been removed, almost like taking an ice cream scoop and “scooping out” parts of the tread, leaving an almost scalloped look behind.

Of course, someone isn’t taking a ladling utensil and physically removing parts of the tire. So, how does cupping occur? There are several reasons, which we’ll cover in detail below.

Unbalanced Tires

The first cause of tire cupping can be from unbalanced tires. If weight across a tire’s circumference isn’t evenly distributed, then, the tire itself can be unbalanced. In severe cases, this can cause some parts of tires to meet the road with greater force, which would lead to cupping.

Misaligned Tires

If your Acura has misaligned tires, they won’t make contact with the road evenly or roll straight. Any sort of uneven stress on the tires could eventually lead to cupping, or a “sawtooth” pattern on the tread edges.

Worn Suspension Parts

A third cause of tire cupping could be not from the tires themselves, but rather from the suspension.

There are several components inside your vehicle’s suspension that can wear out over time, such as:

• Shock absorbers
• Struts
• Bushings

If any of these parts are too worn, the tires will no longer roll smoothly down a road but will start bouncing, instead. That bouncing action will create uneven points of tire pressure, which will result in tire cupping.

Signs Your Tires Are Cupping

So, you now know what could cause tire cupping. Aside from a visual inspection, though, how do you know if your car’s tires have the cupping pattern on them?

Below are a few signs you could look out for while driving.

Loud Tire Noises

Since cupped tires aren’t moving down a street smoothly, they can be very loud. This is especially true when you’re traveling at highway speeds. If you’re hearing increased tire sounds over time, you’ll want to have the car looked over by a service professional.

Car Pulling to One Side

If the tires on your Acura have become misaligned, that could lead the car to drift to the left or right when on a straight path. The vehicle could also act in an unpredictable manner whenever you are steering. Either way, you’ll want to have the tires checked out for possible cupping as soon as possible.

Vibrating or Shaking in the Vehicle

As we mentioned before, the tires could be unbalanced. In those instances, the steering wheel or driver’s seat in your car may shake or vibrate.

If it’s felt in the steering wheel, then the front wheels may be unbalanced. Vibrations felt in the seat may mean that the back wheels are unbalanced. You’ll want to have them looked over, but especially if you feel shaking in both the steering wheel and driver’s seat—there’s a good chance that tire cupping has occurred.

Schedule Tire Service Today

If you’re experiencing any of the signs above, be sure to schedule service at Elite Acura. We’ll take a look at your tires and replace them if tire cupping has happened. We can maintain the quality of your tires, too, such as rotating and balancing them to help prevent any sort of tire cupping in your automobile.

For service near Maple Shade, Moorestown, or Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contact our Acura dealership today!