PASSENGER TIRES

To get the best wear and performance from your tires, alignment is critical. Poor alignment happens when the suspension and steering systems are out of adjustment, usually resulting in abnormal treadwear.

The different types of wheel alignments are front-end alignment, thrust angle alignment, and four-wheel alignment. The measurements usually checked are caster, camber, and toe.

Regular wheel alignments will usually save you as much in tire wear as they cost. It should be considered routine preventative maintenance.

Your tires do not actually support the weight of your vehicle — the air pressure inside them does. Maintaining sufficient air pressure is required for handling, traction, and durability.

Tire pressure should be checked periodically because time, temperature changes, and small punctures can affect it. The recommended pressure in your owner’s manual or tire placard is the cold tire inflation pressure.

As a rule of thumb, for every 10°F change in air temperature, tire pressure changes by about 1 psi. Pressure should be checked in the morning before driving more than a few miles.

The contact patch of most tires is about the size of your hand and has to handle a lot of weight and force.

The shape of a tire’s contact patch or footprint greatly influences performance and depends on its profile or aspect ratio. Low-profile tires usually have a short and wide contact patch for responsive handling, while high-profile tires have a long and narrow contact patch for predictable handling, smooth ride, and good snow traction.

Plus sizing your wheels and tires can improve both the performance and appearance of your vehicle. By using a larger diameter wheel with a lower-profile tire, it is possible to maintain the overall tire diameter, keeping speedometer and odometer changes minimal.

Please contact our sales team for assistance with proper sizing for your vehicle.

Tire rotation helps preserve balanced handling and traction and evens out tire wear. High-performance tires are recommended to be rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, even if they do not show visible signs of wear.

Tire rotation helps all tires wear at the same rate, but it cannot correct wear problems caused by worn parts, incorrect inflation, or poor alignment. Always check your owner’s manual for the recommended rotation pattern.

Molecules in air are so tiny that they gradually work their way through the sidewalls of your tires and escape, reducing air pressure even if the vehicle is parked.

It is not simply pounds of air doing the work, but pounds per square inch of air pressure that supports the vehicle.

A tire remains attached to the vehicle because of the snug fit of the bead on the rim and the inflation pressure inside the tire. If the tire loses its inflation pressure, it may not remain properly attached.

Driving with under-inflated tires can reduce fuel efficiency, shorten tire life, and increase the risk of tire failure. Tire pressure should be checked once a month and before long trips.

New tires require a break-in period to deliver normal ride quality and maximum performance. A release lubricant used during manufacturing can remain on the tire surface and reduce traction until worn away.

About 500 miles of easy acceleration, cornering, and braking allows the tires to settle in. Be careful whenever exploring the capabilities of new tires.

Since tires affect your vehicle’s handling and performance, all four tires should be as identical as possible.

If replacing just one tire, choose one that matches the others in brand, line, size, and speed rating. If replacing two tires, install the new pair on the rear axle. If all tires are worn, replacing the full set gives the most flexibility and balanced performance.

Buying the correct tire size can be complicated, especially if upgrading from the original equipment size. The tire must be able to carry the weight of your vehicle and maintain an appropriate overall diameter.

For cars and vans, staying within a ±3% diameter change is desirable. Pickups and SUVs may handle larger changes, but proper sizing should always be confirmed before purchase.

Ask yourself what conditions you drive in most often. Do you drive only in sunshine, or also through rain and snow? Different driving conditions require different tire types, so choose based on your real driving needs.

Select tires based on the worst driving condition you expect to encounter. If your worst and typical conditions are similar, one set of tires may be enough.

If your worst driving condition happens frequently and is very different from your normal driving condition, you may want to consider two sets of tires, such as summer and winter tires.

When selecting new tires, compare the total value instead of only the upfront price. A tire that costs more today may provide better performance, longer wear, and better driving satisfaction over thousands of miles.

The cost difference per mile can be very small, so saving a little today may not be worth giving up the better tire you will rely on for years.

Tires are legally worn out in many areas when they reach 2/32 inch of remaining tread depth. Tires usually include wear bars to show when the tread has reached this point.

If rain and wet roads are a concern, consider replacing tires at around 4/32 inch. If snow-covered roads are a concern, consider replacing them at around 6/32 inch.

Many factors affect tire mileage, including tread compound, construction, vehicle application, maintenance, road conditions, weather, and driving habits. Because of this, it is not possible to give one exact mileage expectancy.

A vibration while driving indicates that your vehicle has a problem that needs attention. The tires, steering system, and suspension system should be checked immediately to determine the cause.

Your tires may show early warning signs of wear problems. Saw tooth or feathered edges may indicate misalignment. Cups or dips may indicate worn parts or out-of-balance wheels.

Wear on both edges may indicate underinflation, while wear in the center may indicate overinflation. Check tire pressures regularly and inspect for uneven tread patterns.

Yes. Driving habits can affect tire life.

• Avoid speeding.
• Avoid fast turns around curves and corners.
• Avoid fast starts and panic stops.
• Avoid driving over curbs, potholes, or other obstructions.

Never choose a tire that is smaller or has less load-carrying capacity than the tire that came with the vehicle. Tires should be replaced with the same size designation or approved options recommended by the vehicle or tire manufacturer.

Tires of different sizes, constructions, and stages of wear may affect handling and stability. For best performance, use the same type of tire on all four wheel positions. Do not mix radial and non-radial tires unless unavoidable.

When buying a pair of replacement tires in the same size and construction as those already on the vehicle, install them on the rear axle. If buying one new tire, pair it on the rear axle with the tire that has the greatest remaining tread depth.

Tire mounting should be done by trained tire professionals with the proper equipment and experience. Attempting to mount a tire yourself can cause serious injury and may damage the tire or rim.

A tire that loses all or most of its air pressure should be removed from the wheel for a complete inspection. Most punctures up to 1/4 inch, confined to the tread area, may be repaired by trained personnel using approved procedures. Plug-only repairs are not recommended.

Many tires have tread wear indicator bars molded into the tread. When the tread is worn down to where you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread, it is time to replace the tire.

A bubble on the sidewall usually indicates damaged cords caused by severe impact. A tire with a sidewall bubble should be removed immediately and cannot be repaired.

Sidewall indentations are common on radial tires and are usually cosmetic. They occur where fabric cords in the tire body are spliced together. They are different from sidewall bubbles, which are more pronounced and may indicate damage.

Each tire has a Department of Transportation number imprinted on at least one sidewall. The number begins with “DOT” and includes letters and numbers identifying the tire.

Tires made after January 1, 2000 have a four-digit date code at the end of the DOT number. The first two digits represent the week of production, and the last two digits represent the year.

Passenger and light truck tire warranties are generally for the life of the usable tread or for six years, whichever occurs first.