rear tires worn smooth

That's a classic symptom of overinflation.

- Rich

-- Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

I would clarify that as saying it was a classic symptom of overinflation with old, bias tires. It is not so clear with modern radials. Many Prius owners are purposefully running 4 to 7 psi above door-jam-sticker settings in an effort to get the best mpg and they are NOT experiencing center of tread wear.

Whenever there is uneven wear, pressures should be checked but front AND rear alignment should be checked as well. Even on cars where the rear does not have adjustable alignment; something could be worn or bent. Tires normally do not wear the same on the front and the rear and this is one of reasons for rotating tires, as often as every 5k miles.

Ed P '96 Outback with 107k miles '04 Prius with 58k miles

Excess inside tread wear is a classic symptom of overinflation?

What is excess *center* tread wear a symptom of, then?

I see that I was somewhat unclear in my first post. When I used the phrase "inside tread of each of the rear tires"I was referring to the tread on the tire which is nearest the center of the car not the center of the tire.

The part that shows unusual wear is the section of the tire toward the center of the car not the side of the tire with the air stem on it.

Unless the car is frequently VERY heavily loaded - you may have a camber or more likely 'toe' adjustment out of spec. If the car IS frequently very heaviliy loaded - speak to your suspension guru about adjustments to limit the problem.

Carl

That's definitely an alignment problem.

Flame mode on. That's not an alignment problem. That's an alignment feature. Align the rear to increase the camber and the roadholding would probably suck. How good are the tires people put on foresters anyway? Flame mode off.

To the OP: enjoy your lotus on stilts ;-)

BMW SUVs use that "alignment feature" to compensate for a roll over tendency.

They must be the originals at such low mileage.