MCi MC8 Crusader - Tire Maintenance

MAINTENANCE
Crusader
MC-8
[
]
-
MANUAL
15 - 7 September, 1975
PAGE _________ DAIE _________ _
TIRE MAINTENANCE
DESCRIPTION
A regular and correct maintenance proc_edure is
essential for safe and economical tire service.
Daily, inspect each tire carefully for cuts or foreign
matter such as nails, glass etc. Remove any foreign
matter lodged between tires on dual wheels. Check
tire inflation pressure with an accurate gauge.
Pressure should be checked before starting a run and
should be as recommended by tire manufacturer.
Always use same gauge to check the pressure to
eliminate any differences resulting from gauge error.
If pressure)oss is greater than normal, remove and_
inspect tire to determine cause. Replace any missing
valve caps.
INFLATION OF TIRES
Improper inflation is the greatest cause for loss of tire
life
expectancy. Tires should be checked frequently
for this condition. Unless correct air pressure is con-
sistently maintained, tires will not function as they
should; consequently safe, economical operation of ve-
hicle will be
materially affected.
An
under-inflated tire runs sluggishly, heats up quick-
ly because of greater flexing, and is subjected to more
frequent bruising. Over-inflation does not compensate
for over-loading. It does not add strength to tire, in fact,
it
actually weakens the tire by reducing its ability to ab-
sorb road shock, and may cause a blow-out.
In addition to the deteriorating effect improperly in-
flated tires may have on tire life, improperly inflated
tires will effect steering, riding comfort, and safe driving.
BALANCED INFLATION
The operating efficiency of vehicle will be seriously
upset if air pressures in tires are out of balance. Bal-
anced inflation may be expressed as: all tires on the
same axle should always carry same air pressure. A
difference in
air pressure of rear tires and front tires
may be permissible within certain limitations; however
there should not be a difference in pressures between
right and left tires on the same axle. A five pound
under-inflation in one front tire not only can destroy
ease of steering, but creates steering hazards which gen-
erally point to a potential accident. An under-inflated
rear tire can destroy the valve of the most efficient
brakes.
Balance tire pressures for ease of steering,
comfort in riding, safety in driving, as well as for min-
imum fuel consumption and maximum tire mileage.
PRESSURE LOSS
At periodic intervals, each tire should be
gauged for pressure loss with an accurate gauge before
tires are brought to correct operating pressure. The pur-
pose of this check is to determine exact pressure losses
in each tire. If
at the time this check is made, a definite
u
Q
(.)
--~-'1 it..81::..._ __
OVER
UNDER
PROPERLY
INFLATED
INFLATE0
INFLATED
FIGURE
15 - 6: Tire Sections
pressure loss is noted in any one of the tires, an inspec-
tion should be made of tire showing loss and cause of
loss corrected. This method should definitely establish
a "danger signal" on the condition of tires. Pressure
loss check should be made consistently with the same
gauge, so that any element of inaccuracy in gauge
will be the same for all tires. NOTE: Tire pressure
should be taken with pressure cold.
TIRE ROT A TION
Tires should be interchanged at regular intervals to
obtain maximum life. Change wheels without dismoun-
ting tires so direction of rotation will be reversed. The
following system of interchanging is recommended:
Right front to left rear inside or right rear outside. Left
front to right rear inside or left rear outside.
If inside dual tires show more wear than outside dual
tires, place front tires on inside when changing. In this
case,
outside dual tires can be interchanged between
right and left hand side of vehicle.
If
outside dual tires show more wear than inside dual
tires, place front tires on outside dual tires when chang-
ing. At the same time, interchange right and left hand
inside dual tires.
New tires should be installed on front wheels where
they run coolest.
Baggage should always be placed as far to the rear
as possible. This tends to put the load on the rear
axle and reduce front tire stress.
VALVE CORES AND CAPS
DESCRIPTION
The valve core is a spring loaded check valve in
the valve stem permitting inflation or deflation of the
tube. The valve is provided to seal the air in the tube.
When valve cap is tightened down on the stem, the
sealing washer inside cap is pressed tightly against
top of stem, preventing air leakage.