Tire Safety Information
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 2/32 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.
TIRE REPAIR
The proper repair of a punctured tire requires a plug for the hole and a patch for
the area inside the tire that surrounds the puncture hole. Punctures through the
tread can be repaired if they are not too large, but punctures to the sidewall should
not be repaired. Tires must be removed from the rim to be properly inspected
before being plugged and patched.
46
T
IRE FUNDAMENTALS
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This information identifies and describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also provides a tire identification number for safety
standard certification and in case of a recall.