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YOUR TIRE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
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PRESSURE
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Under inflation can lead to tire failure. It
results in unnecessary tire stress,
irregular wear, loss of control and
accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its
air pressure and not appear to be flat!
ALIGNMENT
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A bad jolt hitting a curb or pothole can
throw your front end out of alignment and
damage your tries. Have a tire dealer check
the alignment and damage your tires. Have a
tire dealer check the alignment periodically
to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
ROTATION
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Regularly rotating your vehicle’s tries will
help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless
your vehicle owner’s manual has a specific
recommendation, the guidelines for tire
rotation are approximately every 6000 – 8000
miles.
TREAD
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Advanced and usual wear can reduce the
ability of tread to grip the road in adverse
conditions. Visually check your tires for
uneven wear, looking for high and low areas
or usually smooth areas. Also check for
signs of damage.
Log on to www.rma.org for more information
about tire safety.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR TIRES
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Proper tire care and safety is simple and
easy. The rubber manufactures Association (RMA)
recommends getting in the habit of taking
five minutes every month to check you tires,
consult a tire dealer as soon possible.
PRESSURE
It ‘s important to have the proper air
pressure in your tires, as under inflation
can lead to tire failure. The “right amount”
of air for your tires is specified by the
vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the
vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door
or fuel door. It is also listed in the
owner’s manual.
1.
When you check the air pressure, make
sure the tires are cool – meaning they are
not hot from driving even a mile. (NOTE: if
you have to drive a distance to get air,
check and record the tire pressure first and
add the appropriate air pressure when you
get to the pump. It is normal for tries to
heat up and the air pressure inside to go up
drive. Never “bleed” or reduce air pressure
when tires are hot.)
2.
Remove the cap from the valve on one
tire
3.
Firmly Press a tire Gauge onto the
valve.
4.
Add air to achieve recommended air
pressure.
5.
If you overfill the tire, release air
by pushing on the metal a fingernail or the
tip of a pen. Then recheck the pressure with
your tire gauge.
6.
Replace the valve cap.
7.
Repeat with each tire, including the
spare. (NOTE: Some spare tire requires
higher inflation pressure.)
8.
Visually inspect the tires to make
sure there are no nails or other objects
embedded that could poke a hole in the tire
and cause an air leak.
9.
Check the sidewalls to make sure
there are no gouges, cuts, bulges or other
irregularities.
NOTE: Air pressure in a tire goes up (in
warm weather) or down (in cold weather) 1 –
2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature
change.
ALIGNMENT
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Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear
can cause uneven and rapid tread wear and
should be corrected by a tire dealer.
Front-wheel-drive vehicles and those with
independent rear suspension, require
alignment of all four wheels. Have your
alignment checked periodically as specified
by the vehicle owner’s manuals or whenever
you have an indication of trouble such as
“pulling” or vibration.
Also have your tire balance checked
periodically. An unbalanced tire and wheel
assembly may result in irregular wear.
Why Check
Your Alignment?
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1.
If your cars suspension system is out
of alignment, your tire will wear unevenly
and you may experience handling problems.
Potholes and rough roads can contribute to
the problems with alignment.
2.
Front-wheel drive vehicles and those
with independent rear suspension. Require
alignment of all four wheels.
3.
Have a tire dealer check your
alignment periodically as specified by your
vehicle’s owner manual or if handling
problems develop, such as “pulling” or
vibration.
4.
Also have your tire balance checked
periodically. An unbalanced tire and wheel
assembly may result in irregular wear
ROTATION
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Sometimes irregular tire wear can be
corrected by rotating your tires. Consult
your vehicle owner’s manual, the tire
manufacturer or your tire dealer for the
appropriate rotation pattern for your
vehicle. NOTE: If your tires show uneven
wear, ask your tire dealer to heck for and
correct any misalignment, imbalance or other
mechanical problem involved before rotation.
Before rotating your tires, always refer to
your vehicle owner’s manual for rotation
recommendations. If no rotation period is
specified, tires should be rotated
approximately every 6000-8000miles.
Why Rotate
your tires?
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1.
Each tire on your car support a
different amount of weight, this unequal
weight distribution causes your tires to
wear at different rates. By rotating your
tires, you can extend their useful life.
2.
If your tires show uneven wear, ask
your tire dealer to check for and correct
any misalignment, imbalance or other
mechanical problem involved before rotation.
3.
Refer to your vehicle’s owner manual
for rotation recommendations. If no rotation
period is specified, tires should be rotated
approximately every 6000 miles.
4.
Sometimes front and rear tires use
different pressure. After rotation, adjust
individual tire air pressure to the figures
recommended for each wheel position by the
vehicle manufacturer.
TREAD
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Tires must be replaced when the tread is
worn down to 1/16 of an inch in order to
prevent skidding and hydroplaning. An easy
test: place a penny into tread groove. If
part of the Lincoln’s head is covered by the
tread, you’re driving with the proper amount
of tread. If you can see all of his head,
you should buy a new tire.
Built-in tread wear indicators. Or “wear
bars,” which look like narrow strips of
smooth rubber across the tread will appear
on the tire when the tread is worn down to
one-sixteenth of an inch. When you see the
“wear bars,” the tire is worn out and should
be replaced.
Visually check your tires for signs of
uneven wear you may have irregular tread
wear if there are high and low areas or
unusually smooth areas. Consult your tire
dealer as soon as possible.
OTHER
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Practice good driving habits, which will
help keep your tries in good condition.
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Obey posted speed limits.
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Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
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Avoid potholes and other objects on the
road.
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Do not run over curbs or hit your tires
against the curb when parking.
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Do not overload your vehicle. Check your
vehicle’s tire information in the
owner’s manual for the maximum
recommended load for your vehicle.
If properly cared for, tires can last a long
time usually from 40000 to 80000 miles,
depending on the application.
Tires and
Auto Safety
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1.
Number of tires on the road in
America in 1999 on non-commercial vehicles
(cars and light trucks, including SUV) : 882
million
2.
Number of tires shipped in 1999 : 316
million
3.
Miles driven by non-commercial
vehicles in 1998 :2.4 trillion
4.
Occupant fatalities in 1999 in cars
and light trucks :35,806
5.
Number of fatalities in 1999 that
involved “tire related factors” :647 or 1.8
percent
6.
Recommended frequency for visual
inspection and air pressure check of all
four tires and the spare : one a month and
before every long trip.
*(Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Rubber Manufacturers
Association)
WHAT IS INSIDE A TIRE?
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Tread:
Provides traction and cornering grip
Belts:
Stabilize and strengthen the tread
Sidewall: Protects the side of the
tire from road and curb damage
Body Ply: Gives the tire strength and
flexibility
Bead: Assure an air-tight fit with
the wheel
Inner liner: Keeps air inside the
tire
Modern tire technology blends a unique mix
of chemistry, physics and engineering to
give consumers a high degree of comfort,
performance, efficiency, reliability and
safety. Many tires are custom designed to
meet the stresses and performance needs
specified by the maker of a particular model
vehicle. Every tire is carefully inspected,
and random samples are pulled for additional
safety tests. As part of these tests, tires
are x-rayed, cut apart and examined, run on
test wheels, or road-tested to evaluate
handling, mileage and traction performance.
If properly cared for, tires can last a long
time- usually from 40000 to 80000 miles,
depending on the application.
HOW A TIRE IS
MADE
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As many as two hundred different raw
materials combine into a unique mix of
chemistry, physics and engineering to give
consumers the highest degree of comfort,
performance, efficiency, reliability and
safety modern technology and creativity an
provide. Here are the basic steps:
PLANNING AND
DESIGNS
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Many tires are custom-designed to meet the
stresses and performance needs specified by
the maker of a particular model vehicle. The
process begins with a computer, which
converts the mathematics of a car’s special
needs into specifications. A prototype tire
is then made to test the tire design’s
ability to provide the desired
characteristic. Custom-designing a tire for
a particular vehicle typically takes many
months of testing, inspection, and quality
checks by the tire maker and the vehicle
maker. Only then does the vehicle maker
commit with an order.
MANUFACTURING
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The production process begins with the
selection of several types of rubber along
with special oils, carbon black, pigments,
antioxidants, silica and other additives
that will combine the various raw materials
for each compound into a homogenized batch
of black material with the consistency of
gum. The mixing process is
computer-controlled to assure uniformity.
The compounded materials are then sent to
machines for further processing into the
sidewalls, tread or other parts of the tire.
Then the task of assembling the tire begins.
The first component to go on the tire
building machine is the inner line, a
special rubber that is resistant to air and
moisture penetration and takes the place of
an inner tube. Next come the body piles and
belts, which are often made from polyester
and steel. Plies and belts give the tire
strength while also providing flexibility.
The belts are cut to the precise angle and
size the tire engineer specifies to provide
the desired ride and handling
characteristics. Bronze-coated strands of
steel wire, fashioned into two hoops, are
implanted into the sidewalls of the tires to
form the bead, which assures an airtight fit
with the rim of the wheel. The tread and the
sidewalls are put into position over the
belt and body piles, and then all the parts
are pressed firmly together. The end result
is called a “green” or uncured tire.
The last step is to use the tire. The green
tire is placed inside a mold and inflated to
press it against the mold, forming the tread
and the tire identification information on
the sidewall. Then it is heated at more than
300 degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to fifteen
minutes, vulcanizing it to bond the
components and to cure the rubber. (FACT:
This twelve to fifteen minute curing process
is for passenger and light truck tires
size!)
Every tire is then inspected, and sample
tire are randomly taken from the line and
tested. Some are x-rayed, some are cut apart
to look for flaws, others are run on test
wheels, or road-tested to evaluate handling,
mileage and traction performance.
SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS
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1.
Always fit correct size &type of tyre
recommended by vehicle Manufacturer.
2.
Check all tyre pressure including
spare tyre at least one in every 15 days.
3.
Maintain tyre pressure as per
vehicles specification to ensure optimum
life out of tyre & safety drive.
4.
Check & adjust all tyre pressure when
tyres are cold i.e. early morning & not when
tyres are hot .
5.
Never reduce air pressures from tyres
during summer season or let out any air from
hot tyres
6.
Always fix new tyres on front axle &
never mix tyres of different make &
structure on same axle as it affects braking
ability.
7.
Always rotate tyres from front axle &
vice versa at 15000 KM to minimize irregular
wear & increase tyre life.
8.
Never use worn out tyres or old
second hand tyres as it is very dangerous to
drive on them, change them promptly.
9.
Always put a valve cap on tyre of
tubeless tyres.
10.
Always put a new tube in new tube
type tyres, never fit it without a tube i.e.
as a tubeless.
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