Coning describes a problematic uneven tyre wear pattern where the inside edge of the tyre wears significantly faster than the outside edge, creating a distinctive tapered or cone-shaped profile across the tyre's width. This condition indicates underlying setup issues or improper driving technique that requires immediate attention.
Common causes of coning:
- Excessive negative camber angle creating uneven contact patch loading
- Incorrect toe settings placing excessive load on tyre edges
- Too much front track width for the conditions
- Aggressive steering inputs scrubbing the tyres
- Improper weight distribution overloading specific corners
Coning wastes expensive tyres and compromises grip levels as the contact patch becomes progressively smaller and less effective. Addressing coning requires systematic evaluation of chassis setup parameters, beginning with camber and toe settings before examining weight distribution and driving style. Slight coning across a race distance may be acceptable, but severe coning developing within a few practice laps demands immediate setup changes. Prevention involves regular visual tyre inspections, maintaining proper setup parameters for prevailing conditions, and smooth driving inputs that maximise tyre contact patch usage rather than scrubbing rubber unnecessarily.