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Checking Tire Pressure
It is important to check your vehicle’s tire pressure at least once a month for the following reasons:
• Most tires may naturally lose air over time.
• Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pothole or other object or if you strike the curb when
parking.
• With radial tires, it is usually not possible to determine underinflation by visual inspection.
For convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle. Gauges can be purchased at tire
dealerships, auto supply stores, and other retail outlets.
The recommended tire inflation pressure that vehicle manufacturers provide reflects the proper psi when a
tire is cold. The term cold does not relate to the outside temperature. Rather, a cold tire is one that has not
been driven on for at least three hours. When you drive, your tires get warmer, causing the air pressure
within them to increase. Therefore, to get an accurate tire pressure reading, you must measure tire pressure
when the tires are cold or compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires.
Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure
• Step 1: Locate the recommended tire pressure on the vehicle’s tire information placard, certification
label, or in the owner’s manual.
• Step 2: Record the tire pressure of all tires.
• Step 3: If the tire pressure is too high in any of the tires, slowly release air by gently pressing on the
tire valve stem with the edge of your tire gauge until you get to the correct pressure.
• Step 4: If the tire pressure is too low, note the difference between the measured tire pressure and the
correct tire pressure. These “missing” pounds of pressure are what you will need to add.
• Step 5: At a service station, add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that is underinflated.
• Step 6: Check all the tires to make sure they have the same air pressure (except in cases in which the
front and rear tires are supposed to have different amounts of pressure).
If you have been driving your vehicle and think that a tire is underinflated, fill it to the recommended cold
inflation pressure indicated on your vehicle’s tire information placard or certification label. While your tire
may still be slightly underinflated due to the extra pounds of pressure in the warm tire, it is safer to drive with
air pressure that is slightly lower than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure than
to drive with a significantly underinflated tire. Since this is a temporary fix, don’t forget to recheck and adjust
the tire’s pressure when you can obtain a cold reading.
Tire Size
To maintain tire safety, purchase new tires that are the same size as the vehicle’s original tires, or another size
recommended by the manufacturer. Look at the tire information placard, the owner’s manual, or the sidewall
of the tire you are replacing to find this information. If you have any doubt about the correct size to choose,
consult with the tire dealer.
Tire Tread
The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction that prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding,
especially when the road is wet or icy. In general, tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is
worn down to 1/16 of an inch. Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that let you know when it is time to
replace your tires. These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread
grooves. When they appear “even” with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires. Another
method for checking tread depth is to place a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing
you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you are ready for new tires.
Tire balance and wheel alignment
To avoid vibration or shaking of the vehicle when a tire rotates, the tire must be properly balanced. This
balance is achieved by positioning weights on the wheel to counterbalance heavy spots on the wheel-and-tire
assembly. A wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels so that they are positioned correctly relative to
the vehicle’s frame. This adjustment maximizes the life of your tires. These adjustments require special
equipment and should be performed by a qualified technician.
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