C H E C K

T Y R E S

This booklet provides an understanding of the many factors essential to proper care and service of automobile and light truck tires. However, the RMA makes no pretense that this booklet is all inclusive. Questions pertaining to specific product should be addressed to the tyre dealer or tyre manufacturer.

Inflation Pressure Inspect Your Tires Regularly Good Driving Habits Vehicle Conditions Affecting Tires The Sidewall Story

Replacement tyre Selection Cold-Weather Driving Service Assistance Storage Tips TISC Home Page

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VEHICLE CONDITIONS AFFECTING TIRES

There is a close working relationship between your tires and several mechanical systems in your vehicle. Tires, wheels, brakes, shock absorbers, drive train, steering and suspension systems must all function together to give you a comfortable ride and good tyre mileage.

Balance

An unbalanced wheel and tyre assembly may create an annoying vibration when you drive on a smooth road and may result in irregular treadwear.

Alignment

Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear, improperly operating brakes or shock absorbers, bent wheels, worn bushings and other mechanical problems cause uneven and rapid treadwear and should be corrected by a qualified mechanic. Front-wheel-drive vehicles, and those with independent rear suspension, require special attention with alignment of all four wheels.

These systems should be checked periodically as specified by the vehicle owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble. .

A bad jolt, such as hitting a pothole, can throw your front end out of alignment even if you had it checked an hour earlier. Such an impact can also bend the rim, causing a loss of air pressure, and damage your tires with little or no visible external indication.

Tire Rotation

Sometimes irregular tyre wear can be corrected by rotating your tires. Consult your car owner's manual, the tyre manufacturer or your tyre dealer for the appropriate pattern for your vehicle.

If your tires show uneven wear, ask your tyre dealer to check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem involved before rotation.

Sometimes front and rear tires on a vehicle use different pressures. After rotation, adjust individual tyre air pressure to the figures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer for the tyre 's new wheel position-front or rear-as shown on the tyre placard in the vehicle. (See page 4.)

The purpose of regularly rotating tires is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires on a vehicle. Before rotating your tires, always refer to your individual owner's manual for rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles, or sooner if signs of irregular or uneven tyre wear appear. Have the vehicle checked by a qualified technician to determine the cause of the wear problem. The first tyre rotation is the most important.

Some examples of popular rotation patterns are shown in the diagrams shown here.

Do not include a "Temporary Use Only" spare tyre in any of the rotation patterns shown. If you have a matching full-size tyre as a spare and wish to include it in the rotation process, use one of the patterns shown. Insert the spare in the right rear position and place the tyre that would have gone on the right rear in the trunk as the new spare.

Some tires cannot be rotated in the manners described. Such tires include uni-directional tires and tires with asymmetric tread designs. Also, some vehicles may have different-sized tires mounted on the front and rear axles, and these different-sized tires also have rotation restrictions. Check your owner's manual, or with your tyre dealer or tyre manufacturer, for the proper rotation recommendations for these special cases.