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Tire Maintenance
Inflation Pressure
The most critical factor in tire maintenance is proper inflation. No tire or tube is completely impervious to
loss of air pressure. To avoid the hazards of under inflation, lost air must be replaced.
Driving on any tire that does not have the correct inflation pressure is dangerous and will cause tire damage.
Any under inflated tire builds up excessive heat that may result in sudden tire destruction. The correct
inflation pressures for your tires are a function of many factors including: load, speed, road surface and
handling. Consult your tire dealer for the proper inflation pressures for your application.
Check inflation pressures on all your tires at least once a week, including spares, before driving when tires
are cold, especially when vehicle is used by more than one driver.
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CORRECT INFLATION PRESSURE MAY RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE
DESTRUCTION, IMPROPER VEHICLE HANDLING, AND MAY CAUSE RAPID AND IRREGULAR
TIRE WEAR. THEREFORE, INFLATION PRESSURES SHOULD BE CHECKED WEEKLY AND
ALWAYS BEFORE LONG DISTANCE TRIPS.
Pressure should be checked when tires are cold; in other words, before they have been driven on. The ideal
time to check tire pressures is early morning. Driving, even for a short distance, causes tires to heat up and air
pressures to increase.
Never bleed air from hot tires as your tires will then be under inflated. Make sure to check both tires in a
dual fitment. Pressures should be the same.
Use accurate tire gauge to check pressures. (Do not use "Tire Billys" to hit tires as an inflation check. This is
an unreliable method.)
For optimum tire performance it is usually best to use the tire inflation pressure recommended by the tire
manufacturer for the particular axle load. Exceeding this pressure could result in reduced traction and tread life.
Tread Contact With Road Tread Contact With Road Tread Contact With Road
UNDER INFLATION
Causes abnormal tire deflation which builds up heat and causes irregular wear.
OVER INFLATION
Causes tires to run hard and be more vulnerable to impacts. It also causes irregular wear.
PROPER INFLATION
The correct profile for full contact with the road for traction, braking capability and safety.
Tire Inspection
While checking inflation pressures, it is a good time to INSPECT YOUR TIRES. ANY TIME YOU SEE ANY
DAMAGE TO YOUR TIRES OR WHEELS/RIMS, SEE ANY OF YOUR TIRE DEALERS AT ONCE.
Before driving, inspect your tires, including the spare, and check your air pressures. If your pressure check
indicates that one of your tires has lost pressure of four pounds or more, look for signs of penetrations, valve
leakage, or wheel/rim damage that may account for air loss.
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