What Is Tire Cupping? What Causes Tire Treads to Scallop?

Tire cupping is a type of tread wear where there are uneven scallop-like indentations that can be smooth or rough. It’s referred to as tire cupping, or tire scalloping, because it looks like shallow scoops in your tire tread. If, while driving, you notice it feels like your car is slightly bouncing, it may be a sign that one or more of your tires has cupping.

Tire cupping is a sign that your tires are seriously damaged. At the very least, it’s uncomfortable to drive on as your tires aren’t rolling against the pavement evenly. However, the indentations are vulnerable spots for your tire, and the weakened areas could lead to a tire bubble or a crack in the tire. Tire cupping can also be a symptom of a larger issue in the mechanics of your vehicle. 

In this article, we’ll explain more about what tire cupping is, the most common causes, and how to spot it on your tires. We’ll also talk about what you should do if you find it. 

How Can You Tell If You Have Tire Cupping?

Driving on a cupped tire (or tires) is somewhat like driving on cobblestone, though the noise and handling from cupped tires worsen with higher speeds. Worried about tire cupping?

Here are some common signs that your tires have this strange form of damage:

• Irregular wear: Inspect your tires closely for signs of smooth, worn-down patches along the tread. These indentations will vary in size and severity, but will usually be in the direction of tire rotation and around the circumference of the tread. 
• Uneven driving: While steering and driving straight, if your car tends to pull to one side, it can be a sign of tire cupping, though it could also be a sign of drivetrain or suspension damage.
• Tire noise: While driving, cupped tires often have a strange, irregular noise even while driving on  smooth pavement. A repeated thump or hum noise can be a sign of tire cupping as well. 
• Vibration: Similar to tire noise, if your car is shaking or vibrating as you drive, even if it’s on smooth pavement, it can be a sign of tire cupping. 

If you notice any of these symptoms while driving, carefully inspect the treads of your tires for damage and consider replacing your tires, as cupped treads can reduce traction, accelerate tread wear and increase the likelihood of a flat. 

What Causes Tire Cupping?

If you’ve found that your tires are cupped or scalloped, you’re probably wondering where the issue comes from. There are a lot of causes for tire cupping, ranging from issues with the tire itself to a problem with your vehicle. Here are the most common causes for tire cupping:

• Unbalanced tires: When your tires are mounted on your car, it’s important that they are properly balanced so they spin evenly across the axles. If unbalanced, the up-and-down movement can cause uneven wear, or tire cupping. 

• Older or used tires: As tires age, the treads will wear as they contact the road over thousands of miles. Ideally, they wear down evenly, but sometimes older or used tires will wear unevenly, which can be dangerous. That's one of the reasons tire experts recommend regular tire rotations.
• Suspension problems: Your vehicle’s suspension helps absorb the shock and bumps of the road. If there is an issue with your suspension, it can result in more strain being put on your tires, which can cause cupping. 
• Low or high tire pressure: Maintaining proper tire pressure is vital to the health of your tires. If your tires are filled too much or not enough, it can result in uneven treadwear, though this is more likely to cause center or edge wear rather than scalloping.

If you do notice tire cupping, we recommend having the suspension of your car inspected before replacing the tire. If the suspension is the root of the problem, it’s likely that your replacement tire will also experience irregular damage.

What Should I Do If I Have Cupped Tires?

Whether or not you should replace cupped tires will depend on the severity of the damage. If you’re just starting to notice indentations, rotating your tires may temporarily reduce the symptoms, but nothing fixes it. You can't reverse cupping. That said, you should still have your tires re-balanced and your suspension inspected.

However, if your tire cupping is to the point where you’re noticing tire noise, vibration, or uneven driving, it’s likely that you need to replace one or more of your tires. And because it's important to drive on matching tires, we recommend replacing all four tires when possible, especially if the tread wear is uneven.

Tire cupping can’t be patched over or repaired, and it’s safest for you and your vehicle if you replace the tire. To prevent tire cupping from happening again, have your tires properly balanced when they’re mounted and have your vehicle’s suspension and alignment inspected. Regular rotation is key as well. 

If you’re in the market for a new set of tires, Tire Agent makes it easy to shop for the perfect set of tires for any vehicle. By entering your vehicle's make, model, year, and answering a few additional questions, you can see all of the tires that are perfect for your car. Tire Agent also offers flexible payment plans so you can get your perfect new set of tires. 

ID 321019524 | Pavel Kanunnikov | Dreamstime.com