Stepp SPHD series - Tire Safety-Everything Rides on It; Safety First-Basic Tire Maintenance

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1.4. Tire Safety-Everything Rides On It
The national Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a brochure (DOT HS 809
361) that discusses all aspects of Tire Safety, as required by CFR 575.6 This brochure is
reproduced in part below. It can be obtained and downloaded from NHTSA, free of charge,
from the following website:
http:www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/tireindex/ html
Studies of tire safety show that maintain proper tire pressure, observing tire and vehicle load
limits (not carrying more weight in your vehicle than your tires or vehicle can safely handle),
avoiding road hazards, and inspecting tires for cuts, slashes, and other irregularities are most
important things you can do to avoid tire failure, such as tread separation or blowout and flat
tires. These actions, along with other care and maintenance activities, can also:
 Improve vehicle handling
 Help protect you and others from avoidable breakdowns and accidents
 Improve fuel economy
 Increase the life of your tires
This booklet presents a comprehensive overview of tire safety, including information on the
following topics:
 Basic tire maintenance
 Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
 Fundamental characteristics of tires
 Tire safety tips
Use this information to make tire safety a regular part of your vehicle maintenance routine.
Recognize that the time you spend is minimal compared with inconvenience and safety
consequences of a flat tire or other tire failure.
1.5. Safety First-Basic Tire Maintenance
Properly maintained tires improve the steering, stopping , traction and load-carrying capability of your vehicle
underinflated tires and over loaded vehicles are a major cause of tire failure. Therefore as mentioned above, to
avoid flat tires and other types of tire failure, you should maintain proper tire pressure, observe tire and vehicle
load limits, avoid road hazards, and regularly inspect your tires.
1.5.1 Finding you vehicle’s recommended tire pressure and load limits
Tire information placards and vehicle certification labels contain information on tires and load limits. These
limits indicate the vehicle manufacturer’s information including:
 Recommended tire size
 Recommended tire inflation pressure
 Vehicle capacity weight (VCW-the maximum occupant and cargo weight a vehicle is designed to
carry)
 Front and rear gross axle weight ratings (GAWR-the maximum weight the axle systems are
designed to carry)
Both placards and certification labels are permanently attached to the trailer near the left front