Tyre Maintenance and Tips
Sometimes even seasoned drivers forget how important it is to regularly check tyres for maintenance and repair. Good tyres provide stability to a vehicle and, most importantly, make it drivable. Tyres that are not well cared for can become a driving hazard over time, putting the driver and passengers at risk of a blowout and possibly an accident. Your tyres achieve optimal fuel performance and longevity with the right amount of air pressure. This means if you keep your tyres properly inflated, you will: spend less on fuel, avoid accidents caused by premature tyre failure and buy fewer tyres.
Inflation Tips
Visually inspect your tyres every time you get in your vehicle. Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before every long trip. Be sure to check your tyres when they’re cold (i.e., before they have been driven a mile).
The correct air pressure is shown on the tyre placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door, or fuel door. If your vehicle doesn't have a placard, check the owner's manual or consult with the vehicle manufacturer, tyre manufacturer, or your local tyre dealer for the proper inflation.
Spend Less on Fuel
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure improves vehicle fuel economy and gives you more miles per gallon (mpg). This means gas money that stays in your pocket. Think of it this way. For every 2.96 pounds per square inch (psi) your tyres are under-inflated, you lose 1 percent in the number of miles you get per gallon. Furthermore, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found in a nationwide survey that vehicle tyres were, on the average, under-inflated by 10-11 psi, reducing miles per gallon by as much as 3.72 percent!
As an added bonus, maintaining proper inflation on your tyres conserves precious resources and reduces the amount of pollutants emitted to our environment since less fuel is burned.
Avoid Accidents
Under-inflation or overloading of tyres may result in rapid or uneven tread wear. This could cause excessive heat buildup and possible tyre failure, which may result in an accident causing vehicle damage and/or injury or even death.
Buy Fewer Tyres
Well maintained tyres last longer, which saves you money and sends fewer tyres into the waste stream. The following tips can help you maximize the life of your tyres.
Maintain Proper Pressure. In its nationwide survey, the NHTSA also found that tyres lose about 1.78 percent of their tread life for each psi the tyre is under-inflated. Therefore tyres under-inflated by 10 psi lose about 17.8 percent of their life miles potential.
Balance Your Tyres. An unbalanced wheel and tyre assembly may create an annoying vibration when you drive on a smooth road and may result in irregular tread wear.
Keep Your Tyres Aligned. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear, bent wheels, worn bushings, and other mechanical problems cause uneven and rapid tread wear and should be corrected by a qualified mechanic. These systems should be checked periodically as specified by the vehicle owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble.
Rotate Your Tyres Regularly. The purpose of regularly rotating tyres is to achieve more uniform wear for all tyres on a vehicle. Tyres should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles, or sooner if signs of irregular or uneven tyre wear appear. If your tyres show uneven wear, ask your tyre dealer to check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem involved before rotation.
How to Check and Adjust Your Tyre’s Pressure
Inflation Tips
Visually inspect your tyres every time you get in your vehicle. Check your tyre pressure at least once a month and before every long trip. Be sure to check your tyres when they’re cold (i.e., before they have been driven a mile).
The correct air pressure is shown on the tyre placard (or sticker) attached to the vehicle door edge, doorpost, glove box door, or fuel door. If your vehicle doesn't have a placard, check the owner's manual or consult with the vehicle manufacturer, tyre manufacturer, or your local tyre dealer for the proper inflation.
Spend Less on Fuel
Maintaining the correct tyre pressure improves vehicle fuel economy and gives you more miles per gallon (mpg). This means gas money that stays in your pocket. Think of it this way. For every 2.96 pounds per square inch (psi) your tyres are under-inflated, you lose 1 percent in the number of miles you get per gallon. Furthermore, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found in a nationwide survey that vehicle tyres were, on the average, under-inflated by 10-11 psi, reducing miles per gallon by as much as 3.72 percent!
As an added bonus, maintaining proper inflation on your tyres conserves precious resources and reduces the amount of pollutants emitted to our environment since less fuel is burned.
Avoid Accidents
Under-inflation or overloading of tyres may result in rapid or uneven tread wear. This could cause excessive heat buildup and possible tyre failure, which may result in an accident causing vehicle damage and/or injury or even death.
Buy Fewer Tyres
Well maintained tyres last longer, which saves you money and sends fewer tyres into the waste stream. The following tips can help you maximize the life of your tyres.
Maintain Proper Pressure. In its nationwide survey, the NHTSA also found that tyres lose about 1.78 percent of their tread life for each psi the tyre is under-inflated. Therefore tyres under-inflated by 10 psi lose about 17.8 percent of their life miles potential.
Balance Your Tyres. An unbalanced wheel and tyre assembly may create an annoying vibration when you drive on a smooth road and may result in irregular tread wear.
Keep Your Tyres Aligned. Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear, bent wheels, worn bushings, and other mechanical problems cause uneven and rapid tread wear and should be corrected by a qualified mechanic. These systems should be checked periodically as specified by the vehicle owner's manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble.
Rotate Your Tyres Regularly. The purpose of regularly rotating tyres is to achieve more uniform wear for all tyres on a vehicle. Tyres should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles, or sooner if signs of irregular or uneven tyre wear appear. If your tyres show uneven wear, ask your tyre dealer to check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem involved before rotation.
How to Check and Adjust Your Tyre’s Pressure
- After you remove the valve cap, firmly press a tyre gauge onto the valve.
- Add air to achieve the recommended air pressure.
- If your tyre is above the recommended tyre pressure or you accidentally overfill it, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with the tyre gauge tool, a fingernail, or the tip of a pen. Recheck the pressure until it’s right.
- Replace the valve cap when you’re done.
- Repeat with each tyre, and don’t forget the spare. You’ll be glad you checked the spare if you get a flat tyre in the "middle of nowhere"!
- While you’re checking the pressure, take a moment to give your tyres a good inspection. Listen for leaks, check tread wear, check for nails or other objects embedded in the tyres, look for cuts or gouges, uneven wear, bulges, tread separation, and other irregularitie
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