My tires are showing wear in the very center. (I know this is from over inflation) The problem is that I have never put air in them. I purchased the tires new in January of 2008. The tire place (my family has always purchased tires there) offered free nitrogen for the life of the tires, so I accepted it. I have only had them put nitrogen in the tires twice, when I purchased them and then in the first week of August 2008. Other than that, no other air has ever been put in the tires. My question is this: Is my tire dealer at fault for the wear on my tires? And, if so, what should I do about it. (yes, I have had the tires rotated. 3 times between January 2008 and September 2008)
1. You should get in the habit of checking your tire pressures once a week but at least once a month. 2. Always check the pressures when the tires are cold, preferably in the morning before driving anywhere. Friction causes heat which changes tire pressures. 3. Set the cold inflation pressure to that recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. That information can be found on the load and inflation sticker inside the drivers door frame or in the owners manual. I hate to say it but many tire shops still don't know how to set tire pressures accurately. Many still fall into the old we inflate everything to 35 psi school of Gomer tire care. Some set the inflation pressure to the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall even though it also says on the sidewall that you should use the door sticker as a guide, not the max inflation pressure on the tire. Most vehicles recommend a cold inflation pressure far below what the tires maximum allowable pressure. Your tire shop may not be setting the pressures correctly.
I would have to say that you are responsible for the tire pressure in your tires. You should be checking them more often than a few times a year. you can run with them a little under inflated if the centers aren't wore out too badly, but i would contact the dealer where you purchased them anyway since your family has dealt with them for quite awhile. Also, if they are not high performance tires, they should be covered under a treadlife warranty. Good luck.
Judging from the fact you said the tires are new, it could simply be the design of the tires. Meaning, some tires are more rigid than others so while 35 psi may be the correct tire pressure for one kind of tire, a stiffer kind of tire may require slightly less. this is common in SUV's and trucks as depending on the tire, tire pressures may need to vary from the door placard. As others have stated, i would decrease the psi in your tires a few pounds, and see if that helps. Don't go crazy and let out 10 pounds of air, as that would be unsafe. And in case you wondering it has nothing to do with the nitrogen, as the positve effects of nitrogen can only take place if nothing but nitrogen is in the tire, and I can guarantee there is regular old air in the tire in addition to the nitrogen.
