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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GOOD DRIVING HABITS

The way you drive has a great deal to do with your tyre mileage and safety. 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 tyre against the curb when parking.
  

When You're Stuck

The forces created by a rapidly spinning tyre can cause an explosion by literally tearing the tyre apart. These forces impact the whole tyre structure and can rupture the entire casing. Some vehicles are capable of bringing a tyre to this failing point in 3 to 5 seconds.

When stuck on ice, snow, mud or wet grass, the vehicle should be rocked gently back and forth by repeatedly shifting the gear lever from drive to reverse on automatic transmissions, or reverse to second on manual transmissions. Vehicles with ABS systems need to follow the instructions in their owner's manual. This should be done with the least amount of wheel spinning. Never exceed 35 mph indicated on your speedometer. If that doesn't free the vehicle, get a tow.

WARNING Tire explosions can cause death, personal injury or property damage. Excessive speed in a free-running tyre can cause it to "explode" from extreme centrifugal force.

WARNING Avoid tyre spinning. Never exceed the 35 mph point indicated on the speedometer. Do not allow anyone to stand near, or directly ahead or behind, the spinning tyre .

Highway Hazards

No matter how carefully you drive, there is always a possibility that you may eventually have a puncture and wind up with a flat on the highway. Drive slowly to the closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tyre , but your safety is more important.

If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving or you suspect your tyre or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tyre . If the tyre is underinflated or damaged, deflate it, remove the tyre and rim and replace it with your spare. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest vehicle or tyre dealer to have the vehicle inspected.

Follow the vehicle manufacturer's instructions for jacking up the vehicle, taking off the wheel and putting on the spare. Then drive to a place where the flat tyre can be inspected for possible repair or replacement.

After a tyre has received a severe impact, such as hitting a curb or pothole, you must have it removed from the wheel and inspected both inside and out for impact damage.

An impact-damaged tyre and rim may appear "normal" on the outside, but can fail later after the road hazard injury.

Spare Care

Many late-model vehicles are equipped with temporary spare tires and wheels that are different from your regular tires and wheels. Some may require higher inflation pressure, or the use of special canisters to inflate the tyre .

Do not exceed 50 mph with a temporary spare. You may operate a vehicle with such a tyre within the limits indicated on the sidewall of the tyre , until it is convenient to repair the disabled tyre or replace it with one of the same size designation and construction as the other tires on the vehicle.

Consult your vehicle owner's manual and the tyre sidewall for instructions on proper use of a temporary spare.

Check the inflation in your spare tyre every time you check all the others. A spare tyre with no air in it is no help to you in an emergency. If you have an inflatable spare, be sure to check the aerosol air inflation pressure canister to be sure it has not been damaged. If so, have it checked by an expert.

Remember, improper mounting and overinflation may damage the tyre or wheel and can result in an explosion that could cause serious injury and death. (See safety warning, page 4.)

Run Low Tires

Certain new automobiles may be equipped with tires that can be run with reduced or zero air pressure for a limited number of miles at reduced speeds. Once a tyre has been run at reduced or zero pressure conditions, it must be replaced or demounted and inspected to determine if it is reusable, depending on the tyre manufacturer.

Aerosol Inflators

Do not depend on tyre aerosol sealants and inflators to fix a damaged tyre permanently. These products are designed to provide only a temporary, emergency repair to help get you off the road and to the nearest tyre repair facility.

Some aerosol products of this type use flammable gases, such as butane, propane or isobutane as propellants. Never, under any circumstances, introduce a flammable substance into a tyre . Be sure to inform tyre service personnel if you have used any aerosol product to inflate your tyre .