Maintaining a Goodyear Tire

Tire Inflation
Proper tire inflation is a key ingredient in driving safety & long tire life. It is wise to check your tire's inflation at least once a month with an accurate tire pressure gauge. Continuous loss of inflation pressure is an indication of a possible tire/wheel assembly problem; consult your tire professional immediately if you encounter this situation. Be sure to check the pressure while the tires are cold, & have not been used recently. If you drive even a mile this will cause your tire pressure to increase & give you an inaccurate reading.

Checking Tire Tread
There are two popular ways for checking to see if there is enough tread on your tires. All passenger, light truck, & medium commercial tires have tread wear indicator bars molded into the tread. These bars are located at the bottoms of the tread grooves in several locations around the tire, & when the tire is worn to the point where any of them become visibly flush with the adjacent tread ribs, it is time to replace the tire. Another easy way to check that your tire has enough tread remaining is to place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head upside down & facing you. if you can see the top of Lincoln's head it is time to replace your tires.

 

Wear On Both Edges: UNDER INFLATION If a tire looks like this, it may be under inflated. The worst enemy a tire can have is too little inflation pressure. Under inflation reduces treadlife through increased tread wear on the outside edges (or shoulders) of the tire. It also generates excessive heat which reduces tire durability. Finally, it reduces fuel economy through increased rolling resistance (soft tires makes your vehicle work harder). Check your tires regularly for proper inflation. Abnormal tire wear may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems.
   
Wear In Center: OVER INFLATION When a tire is over inflated, the center of the tread bears most of the load & wears out faster than the outside edges. Uneven wear reduces the useful life of a tire. Check your tires regularly for proper inflation. Abnormal tire wear may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems. Goodyear retailers can provide expert diagnosis & repair.
   
Cups or Dips in the tread: WORN PARTS Cupping (also called dipping or scalloping) is most common on front tires, though rear tires can cup as well. It may be a sign that wheels are out of balance or that suspension or steering system parts are worn out. Many Goodyear retailers can provide expert diagnosis & repair.
   
Sawtooth edges: MISALIGNMENT Do the edges of the tread take on a sawtooth or feathered appearance? This is caused by erratic scrubbing against the road. The solution is toe-in or toe-out alignment correction.
   

Proper tread depth is essential for proper tire performance. If you notice a loss or change in wet traction, you may not have enough tread left on your tires. Once the tread depth reaches 1/16th of an inch it must be replaced.
 
Tire Balancing
Unbalanced tires cause vibration, which can lead to driver fatigue, premature/irregular tire wear, & unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Your tires should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Tire balance should be checked at the first sign of a vibration or shimmy. 

Vehicle Alignment
A vehicle is properly aligned when all suspension & steering components are sound s& when the tire & wheel assemblies are running straight & true. If you notice uneven tread wear this could be due to a misalignment & must be serviced by a professional.


Tire Rotation
While many people are capable of rotating their own tires, it is quick & easy to let a professional do it for you. Your vehicle's owner's manual will specify the proper rotation pattern & schedule for your vehicle. If there is no specific schedule specified a good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.


Repairing Tires
Tire repairs should be made by a trained tire professional. Proper repair procedure will include dismounting the tire from the wheel for a thorough inspection to check for damage, & the use of a patch & plug to repair any punctures that fall within the limits & guidelines for repair.