What Tire is Right for Your Vehicle

When tires need to be replaced, don't guess what tire is right for your vehicle. Look at the tire placard. The placard tells you the size of the tires that were on the vehicle as original equipment.

Helpful Replacement Tips
1. Tires should always be replaced with the same size designation, or approved options, as recommended by the automobile or tire manufacturer.
2. Never choose a smaller size, with less load carrying capacity than the size on the tire placard.
3. Always have tires mounted with the same size and construction designations on the same axle.
4. It is recommended that all four tires be of the same size, speed rating, and construction (radial or non-radial). However, in some cases, the vehicle manufacturer may require different-sized tires for either the front or rear axles.
5. Always check the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations or your tire dealer can help you determine which tires are right for your car and your specific driving needs.

 

 

Heading Off Trouble

In addition to performing regular maintenance, you must also keep an eye out for potential problems that might affect your tires. Regular inspections can help you prevent tire trouble, and keep you rolling safely down the road.

When inspecting your tires, look for:

1. 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.

If you detect uneven wear soon enough and have the underlying cause fixed, you may be able to keep using the tire — but have it checked by your tire dealer to be sure.

2. Shallow tread. Bald tires tend to skid and slide on the pavement, and are more likely to be damaged by potholes and other road hazards. The tread on your tire 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 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 into 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

 

You may not realize it, but the way you drive can have a lot to do with how long your tires will last and how well they perform. As you head down the road, there are a number of things to keep in mind, so cultivate good driving habits for your own benefit.

• Observe posted speed limits.
  
• Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
  
• Avoid potholes and objects on the road.
  
• Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking.

For more tire safety information, call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.

Tire Information Resources
1. The National Safety Council
The National Safety Council (NSC), established in 1913, is a non-profit, non-governmental membership organization, with 37,500 organizational members and 5,000 active volunteers from private business and industry, organized labor, community groups, schools and academic institutions, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations. The NSC is an information-driven organization, expert at research, fact-finding, problem-solving, and developing programs that prevent injuries and fatalities. The NSC is both a national and local organization, with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C., and affiliated local chapters in more than 40 communities across the nation.

For more information, call or write:
National Safety Council
1121 Spring Lake Drive
Itasca, IL 60143
1.800.621.7615
www.nsc.org

2. Rubber Manufacturer's Association (RMA)
RMA is the national trade association for the rubber products industry. Its members include more than 100 companies that manufacture various rubber products, including tires, hoses, belts, seals, molded goods, and other finished rubber products. The use of and demand for rubber products is pervasive in today's consumer and industrial economies. Safe, reliable and essential rubber products are an intrinsic asset in modern life. While 60 percent of rubber production is used in tire manufacture, the balance is employed in making rubber components supplied to the aerospace, appliance, medical, transportation, construction, electrical and electronic industries -- to name a few.