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TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
STEPS FOR MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE (continued)
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in the warm tire, it is safer to drive with air pressure that is slightly lower than the vehicle manu-
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
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 tread wear 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
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.
TIRE FUNDAMENTALS
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all