Ford continues to explore new ways to help drivers stay on top of vehicle maintenance, and its latest patent filing focuses on a common and often overlooked issue: uneven tire wear. The newly published patent outlines technology that could one day be used in future Ford vehicles to identify uneven tire wear in real time.

Filed in April 2024 and published in October 2025, the patent describes a system that would continuously monitor the wear condition of all four tires. Rather than waiting for visible signs or routine service intervals, the system would detect discrepancies between tires as they happen.

If uneven wear is identified, the vehicle could notify the driver and recommend corrective actions based on the situation. These suggestions could include rotating the tires, scheduling a wheel alignment, balancing the wheels, or inspecting suspension components that may be contributing to the problem.

The goal of this technology would be early detection. Uneven tire wear often develops gradually and can go unnoticed until it leads to reduced traction, increased road noise, or the premature replacement of one or more tires. Identifying the issue sooner could help drivers extend tire life and maintain proper handling and safety.

This concept builds on a growing number of Ford patent filings related to tire health and maintenance. Recent ideas have included systems for monitoring tire pressure, detecting flat tires, estimating remaining tire life, and notifying drivers when rotations are due.

As with all patent filings, this technology is not guaranteed to reach production. However, it highlights Ford’s ongoing interest in using smart vehicle systems to simplify ownership, reduce maintenance costs, and help drivers keep their vehicles operating at their best.