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Tire Care
| Do my new tires require any special treatment? |
| Your new tires will probably feel different
from the tires that were replaced. Drive carefully as you become familiar
with their performance & handling. Take special care when braking,
accelerating, cornering, or when driving in the rain, because these are the
times when the differences will be most noticeable. |
| How do I know when I need new tires? |
| 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. Here's another simple test you can perform to measure tread depth on
your tires. Place a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln's head upside
down & facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for
a new tire. |
| How long should my original equipment tires last? |
| Goodyear does not offer a written mileage
promise on any tires supplied as original equipment. Due to the variety of
styles, construction features, treat compounds, vehicle applications,
geographical conditions & driving habits, it is difficult to provide a
specific mileage expectancy.
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| Is it safe to repair a flat tire? |
| If a tire loses all or most of its air
pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal
inspection to be sure it's not damaged. Tires that are run even short
distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail
holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch -- confined to the tread -- may be
satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved
methods. Don't repair tires with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, or
any sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tires which are worn below 1/16
inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tire is
always ready to do the job. Check it regularly for proper air pressure &
be sure that it is in good shape. If your car is equipped with one of the
several types of temporary spares, be sure to check the spare tire's
sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, & mileage limitations. |
| Must I replace my present tires with the same size tires? |
| Never choose a smaller size than those that
came with the car. Tires should always be replaced with the same size
designation -- or approved options. |
| Should I "mix" tire types on my car? |
| Tires of different size designations,
constructions, & stages of wear may affect vehicle handling & stability.
For best all-around performance, it is recommended that all tires be of the
same size, construction (radial,non-radial) & speed rating. If tires of
different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, the same size, type &
speed ratings need to be placed on the same axle, the tires with the lower
speed rating will be the determining factor for permissible tire related
vehicle speed. Never mix radial & bias-ply tires on the same axle. |
| 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. Goodyear retailers provide expert alignment &
suspension service. |
| 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. |
| When buying just two new tires, should they be put on the front or rear? |
| When radial tires are used with bias or bias
belted tires on the same car, the radials must always be placed on the rear
axle. Never mix radial & bias-ply tires on the same axle. When you
select a pair of replacement tires in the same size & construction as
those on the car, we recommend you put them on the rear axle. A single new
tire should be paired on the rear axle with the tire having the most tread
depth of the other three. |
| 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. |
