This paper presents a novel experimental method to study the abrasion mechanism of car tires. It is based on the detection of microscopic movements associated with material damage (cracking) on the rubber tread. This is referred to as degrading layer relaxation. It correlates with the wear rate and, interestingly, the direction of the pattern's movement is opposite to the lateral forces during cornering. To measure and analyze the microscopic movements, a new camera-based method with feature point matching using video stabilization was developed. Besides extensive experimental investigation, the formation and propagation of microcracks are investigated using a simplified numerical model in which a phase field approach coupled with a viscoelastic constitutive behavior is implemented in a finite element framework
