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Tire Balancing
| How much air should I put in my tires? |
| Proper inflation is the single
most important part of tire care. The inflation pressure on the side of the
tire is the MAXIMUM operating pressure. It is not necessarily the right
inflation for your vehicle. Always use the inflation recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer. You can find it in your owner's manual, posted on the
edge of the driver's door, on a door post or on the inside of the glovebox
door. Always check inflation when tires are COLD: when the vehicle has been
driven less than a mile or one hour or more after driving. Use a good
quality tire gauge. Note: It's natural for radial tires to have a slight
bulge in the sidewall at their proper inflation pressure. Check or adjust
inflation every few weeks, before any long trip or if traveling with a heavy
load. And don't forget to check the spare. |
| Isn't it easy to mount a tire on a wheel? Can't I do it myself? |
| Never try to mount your own tires.
Tire mounting is a job for the people who have the proper equipment &
experience. If you try to do it yourself, you run the risk of serious injury
to yourself as well as possible damage to the tire & rim. |
| Should I rotate my tires? |
| Regular & proper tire
rotation promotes more uniform wear for all of the tires on a vehicle. All
season tires should be rotated in a "modified X" pattern, meaning only the
tires being moved to the drive axle are crossed to the opposite side of the
vehicle.
The remaining two tires are moved from the drive axle to the free rolling axle, remaining on the same side of the vehicle. This method of rotation helps promote a more even &
uniform treadwear pattern for all four tires. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, we recommend crossing both pairs of tires to their new axle positions. We recommend tire rotation at least every 6,000 miles. Four-wheel drive vehicles may require rotation even sooner such as every 4,000 miles. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's
rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should
be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. The first rotation is the most
important. When tires are rotated, inflation pressures must be adjusted to
the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Uneven tire wear may also be due
to misalignment or mechanical problems. |
| What is alignment? |
| A vehicle is said to be properly aligned
when all suspension & steering components are sound & when the tire &
wheel assemblies are running straight & true. Proper alignment is
necessary for even tread wear & precise steering. Uneven front-or
rear-tire wear, or changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response
(i.e. pulling to one side) can indicate misalignment. Many vehicles today
are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. Your
vehicle may need a "front-end" alignment or a "four-wheel" alignment,
depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The moderate cost of having
your vehicle aligned can more than pay for itself in tire mileage,
performance & comfort.
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| What should I do if I notice a vibration? |
| Vibration is an indication that your car has
a problem that needs attention. The tires, steering system & suspension
system should be checked to help determine the possible cause & correction
of the vibration. If left unattended, the vibration could cause excessive
tire & suspension wear. It could even be dangerous. |
| Why do my tires need to be balanced? |
| Properly balanced tires are important for
driving comfort & long tire life. Unbalanced tires can cause vibration,
resulting in driver fatigue, premature tire wear & unnecessary wear to
your vehicle's suspension. Tires should be balanced when they are mounted on
wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Tires
should be rebalanced at the first sign of vibration or "shimmy." Vibration
may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems.
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