A tire worn in a saw-tooth edge pattern indicates improper ____ adjustment.

• A. Camber
• B. Toe in or out
• C. Tire pressure
• D. Caster

Answer: (B)

A saw-tooth wear pattern on the tire edge points to toe misalignment. Toe is how each wheel points in relation to the vehicle’s centerline—inward (toe-in) or outward (toe-out) as the car moves. When toe is off, the tires don’t track parallel to one another, causing them to scrub slightly against the road with each rotation. That scrubbing wears the tread edges unevenly, often creating a jagged, saw-tooth look along the edge.

Camber changes cause wear on one inner or outer edge of the tire depending on how the wheel tilts, but it doesn’t typically produce a saw-tooth edge pattern. Incorrect tire pressure tends to cause more uniform wear—center wear if overinflated or shoulder wear if underinflated—rather than a jagged edge. Caster affects steering stability and feel, not the tread wear pattern.

So, the pattern indicates improper toe adjustment. Adjusting toe so the wheels point straight ahead when the car is moving restores even contact and normal wear.