Tire Information & Safety Tips

Remember to routinely check your tires out for potential problems that might affect their safety and performance. Regular inspections can help you prevent future tire trouble and keep you moving on your way.

When performing a visual inspection of your tires, try to look for:

Uneven tread wear - This can include more wear on one tread edge than the other, a rippled pattern of high and low wear, or exposed steel wire. Uneven wear can be caused by problems such as underinflation, misalignment and improper balancing.

Shallow tread - Bald tires to skid and slide on pavement, and are more likely to be damaged by potholes and other road hazards. The tread on your tires should be at least 1.16 of an inch deep. If it isn't, the tire must be replaced. To help you see tread problems, tires have a built in "tread wear indicators." These are narrow bars of smooth rubber that run across the tread. When the tread is even with the bars, it is worn down to the minimum level and must be replaced immediately.

You can also perform a simple test using a US penny. Put the edge of the coin in to the tread, with Lincoln going in head first. If the top of Lincoln's head is covered by tread, that's good. If the top of his head is entirely visible, it's time to replace the tire.

Troublemakers - Check for small stones, pieces of glass, bits of metal and other foreign objects that might be wedged into the tread, and carefully pick them out. They can cause serious problems if they are pushed farther into your tire as you drive.

Damaged areas - Cracks, cuts, splits, punctures, holes and bulges in the tread or on the sides of the tire can indicate serious problems, and the tire may need to be replaced.

Slow leaks - Tires lose some air pressure (about 2 psi) over the course of a month or so, but if you find that you have to add air every few days, have the tire, wheel and valve checked - and if necessary, repair or replace the tire.

Valve caps - Those little caps on your tire's valve stem keep moisture and dirt out, so make sure they are on all your tires. Also, when you have a tire replaced, have a new valve stem assembly installed at the same time.

Driving on a damaged tire can be dangerous. If you see something you're not sure about during your inspection, have it examined by your tire dealer. Any time you see damage to a tire, don't drive on it - use a spare if you need to go somewhere. And finally, pay attention to the "feel" of your tires as you drive. A rough ride may indicate tire damage or excessive wear. If you notice vibrations or other disturbances while driving, and/or you suspect possible damage to your tire or vehicle, immediately reduce speed, drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road and stop, and inspect your tires. If a tire is damaged, deflate it and replace it with your spare. If you do not see any tire damage and cannot identify the source of the vibration, have the vehicle towed to a mechanic or tire dealer for a thorough inspection

Driving on a tire that is not properly inflated is very dangerous. Improperly inflated tires may result in rapid or uneven tread wear, poor vehicle handling, and excessive heat build up. Under or Over inflation could also cause the tire to suddenly fail resulting in the destruction of the tire and possible physical harm. Always refer to your vehicle's owner manual or consult with a tire expert to find out your tires' recomended air pressures.

We recomend checking your air pressure at least once every month and before any long trip. Tires tend to lose around 5psi for every month of regular use, so it is important to keep them inflated properly. Also properly inflated tires can lead to better gas mileage and a smoother ride.

Wheel alignment and balancing are important for safety and maximum mileage from your tires. Inspect your tires at least once a month for signs of uneven wear or damage (ie. cuts, cracks, splits, penetrations, bulges, and impacts.)

Uneven wear patterns may be caused by improper inflation pressure, misalignment, improper balance or suspension neglect. If not corrected, further tire damage will occur. These conditions shorten the life of your tires and may result in loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury.

You should have your alignment checked periodically as specified by the vehicle owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble such as pulling or vibration.

Proper tire rotation is important.

If you notice irregular or uneven tread wear, the tires should be rotated to alleviate the problem. Remember: it is important to check your tires and wheels for signs of possible damage, and check your vehicle for any mechanical problems and correct if necessary.

You should follow the rotation pattern or procedure indicated in your limited warranty and the vehicle owners' manual.

We recommend you rotate tires on front wheel drive vehicles and/or all season tires on any vehicle every 8,000 miles to equalize the rate of wear. You should rotate your tires earlier if signs of irregular or uneven tire wear arise and have the vehicle checked by a qualified technician to determine the cause of the wear condition. the first rotation in the most important.

After rotation, adjust individual tire air pressure to the figures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for the new locations - front or rear - as shown on the tire placard on the vehicle.

For repairs, see us at once.

Never use a plug-only or patch-only repair. If any tire has sustained a puncture, have the tire dismounted and inspected internally by any tire dealer for possible damage that may have occurred.

Punctures in the tread of passenger tires which do not exceed 1/4-inch (6mm) in diameter can be repaired by following Rubber Manufacturers' Association (RMA) recommended repair procedures. A plug by itself or a patch by itself is an unacceptable repair. The repair material used - for example, a "combination patch and plug" repair - must seal the innerliner and fill the injury to be considered a permanent repair. Never use a tube in a tubeless tire as a substitute for a proper repair.

If the tire has a puncture in the tread which exceeds 1/4-inch (6mm), any puncture in the sidewall, or if more than one radial cable per casing ply is damaged, the tire must be removed from service and replaced.