10-17-2024, 11:01 AM
Feathered tires are the worst! I used to think it was just bad luck or cheap tires, but after seeing the same issue pop up again and again on my 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I finally figured out what was going on. Turns out, feathering happens when your tires wear unevenly, and it’s usually a sign of bigger issues with your alignment or suspension. If you're noticing that uneven, rough pattern on your tires, here’s how you can prevent it from happening again:
Check and Adjust Alignment
Feathering is most often caused by poor alignment. Specifically, the toe alignment is usually the culprit—this is when your tires are angled slightly in or out rather than being perfectly straight. If your tires aren’t pointing in the right direction, they’ll start to drag sideways just a little bit with every rotation, which leads to that feathered pattern. Take your Jeep to an alignment shop to get this checked out. If you're comfortable with DIY, some people use DIY alignment kits at home, but personally, I’d recommend having a shop do it right.
Inspect Your Suspension
Worn-out suspension components, like ball joints, control arms, or tie rods, can also cause tire feathering. These parts help keep your tires in contact with the road in a stable way. When they wear out, the tire’s angle can shift, causing uneven wear. I had to replace some worn-out bushings on mine, and once that was fixed, my tires wore much more evenly.
Tire Rotation
Another easy way to prevent feathering is to rotate your tires regularly. Different parts of your tires wear out depending on whether they’re on the front or back of your Jeep. I rotate my tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles now, and it’s been a game changer. By rotating them, you spread out the wear evenly across all four tires, preventing feathering on the edges.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Underinflated or overinflated tires can wear out unevenly, leading to feathering. I keep a tire pressure gauge in my glove box and check my tire pressure every couple of weeks. The recommended pressure for the Jeep Grand Cherokee is usually around 33-36 PSI, but check your manual for the exact number. Keeping them properly inflated can save you a ton of money in tire replacements.
Wheel Balancing
Last but not least, don’t forget to balance your wheels. If your wheels aren’t balanced, your tires can vibrate while driving, causing uneven wear and feathering. A quick balancing job at your local tire shop is cheap and can prevent long-term damage.
Ever since I fixed the alignment and started rotating my tires regularly, the feathering problem has gone away completely. It’s worth checking out before you have to shell out for new tires every year like I did. Save yourself the headache (and the cash) and keep those tires rolling smooth!
Check and Adjust Alignment
Feathering is most often caused by poor alignment. Specifically, the toe alignment is usually the culprit—this is when your tires are angled slightly in or out rather than being perfectly straight. If your tires aren’t pointing in the right direction, they’ll start to drag sideways just a little bit with every rotation, which leads to that feathered pattern. Take your Jeep to an alignment shop to get this checked out. If you're comfortable with DIY, some people use DIY alignment kits at home, but personally, I’d recommend having a shop do it right.
Inspect Your Suspension
Worn-out suspension components, like ball joints, control arms, or tie rods, can also cause tire feathering. These parts help keep your tires in contact with the road in a stable way. When they wear out, the tire’s angle can shift, causing uneven wear. I had to replace some worn-out bushings on mine, and once that was fixed, my tires wore much more evenly.
Tire Rotation
Another easy way to prevent feathering is to rotate your tires regularly. Different parts of your tires wear out depending on whether they’re on the front or back of your Jeep. I rotate my tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles now, and it’s been a game changer. By rotating them, you spread out the wear evenly across all four tires, preventing feathering on the edges.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Underinflated or overinflated tires can wear out unevenly, leading to feathering. I keep a tire pressure gauge in my glove box and check my tire pressure every couple of weeks. The recommended pressure for the Jeep Grand Cherokee is usually around 33-36 PSI, but check your manual for the exact number. Keeping them properly inflated can save you a ton of money in tire replacements.
Wheel Balancing
Last but not least, don’t forget to balance your wheels. If your wheels aren’t balanced, your tires can vibrate while driving, causing uneven wear and feathering. A quick balancing job at your local tire shop is cheap and can prevent long-term damage.
Ever since I fixed the alignment and started rotating my tires regularly, the feathering problem has gone away completely. It’s worth checking out before you have to shell out for new tires every year like I did. Save yourself the headache (and the cash) and keep those tires rolling smooth!