Checking Tire Tread
Description: There are several simple ways to check tire
tread depth. The first way is to measure tread depth with a tread depth gauge.
The second method involves the use of an old penny inserted into the grooves of
the tread. Tire wear bars are also used on today’s tires as a hands-off visual
indication that a tire needs replacement.
Purpose: Regular tread depth checks are important to
ensure that your car’s tires are safe. Excessive wear can result in a loss of
traction, especially on wet and slippery roads. Tires are regular wear items and
staying on top of their condition not only ensures your safety, but also gives
you the opportunity to plan ahead and budget for inevitable tire replacement.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: When using a tread depth
gauge, tires need to have at least 1/16-in. of tread or more (this is the
minimum amount of tread allowed by law). By using an old penny as a quick
reference, insert the penny into the tread groove with the Queen’s face showing,
but with his head upside-down. If you are able to see all of the Queen’s head,
the tire needs replacement. (New pennies don't work because the image of the
queen is too close to the edge.) If you see a wear bar across the width of the
tread while facing it, it is time to replace the tire.
Generally, it is best to replace tires in sets of four. If your car’s tires
show signs of abnormal or unequal wear, have this looked into by a professional
technician. Excessive wear on both outer edges generally indicates
under-inflation. Excessive wear in the centre of the tread generally indicates
over-inflation. Cupping or dipping of certain tread sections may indicate worn
suspension parts or a wheel balance problem. Saw-toothed or feathered tread
edges may indicate wheel misalignment. If your car needs alignment or suspension
work, have it done before you drive off with a new set of tires. Taking a "big
picture" approach to protecting your tire investment will reap many rewards for
miles to come.
Proper Tire Inflation
Description: Proper tire inflation pressure is the
specified air pressure given by a carmaker for a certain tire on a specific
vehicle. This pressure specification should not be confused with a tire's
maximum pressure, which is usually listed on the tire's sidewall. Some vehicles
may specify different pressures for the front tires and the rear tires.
Purpose: Correct inflation pressure is critical for good
fuel economy, safety, maximum tire life, and proper vehicle handling
performance.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: For the small amount of time
it takes, checking tire inflation at least once a month is one of the best
investments you can make to get the maximum life out of your tires. Proper
inflation can also improve gas mileage by more than 3%, when maintained
regularly. Keep this in mind: Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4
percent for every 1 psi (pounds per square inch) drop in pressure of all four
tires. You may want to check your tires more often during the winter months.
Tires will lose about 1 psi of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of
temperature drop.
Keep an accurate tire pressure gauge in your car's glove box (many gauges
at "air stations" give false pressure readings) and check the tire pressure when
the tires are cold. Never trust the appearance of a tire as a gauge for
inflation. A tire could be 10 psi low on pressure and not appear to be low on
air. Use the recommended inflation pressure listed in your vehicle's owner's
manual or on the inflation sticker found on the driver's door jamb. While you're
at it, don't forget to check the spare. There's nothing more annoying than a
flat spare when you have a flat tire.
Tire Rotation
Description: Tire rotation refers to the regular practice
of switching the position of each tire on the car.
Purpose: Tire rotation helps to equalize tread wear and is
critical to gain the maximum life from your tire investment.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Refer to your owner’s manual
for the recommended rotation interval and pattern; generally a rotation interval
of 10,000 kilometres is recommended. The rotation pattern varies with different
makes and models, which shows the tire locations during rotation. Some vehicles
have different size tires on the front and back or directional tires. This
limits the locations that a tire may take on the vehicle. When in doubt, check
the owner’s manual or consult a professional technician for guidance. Tire
rotation time also offers a good opportunity to have the tires and wheels
balanced. It is another step you can take to maximize your tire investment.
Spare Tire & Wheel
Description: Spare tires and wheels may come in
full-size versions (the same tire size as is used on the car) or as a
"mini-spare", a compact tire and wheel assembly that conserves storage space.
Many cars are equipped with temporary spare tires and wheels, which are
noticeably different from regular tires and wheels. Some require higher
inflation pressure, or the use of a pressurized canister to inflate the tire.
Purpose: The spare tire serves as a back up in
case your car has a flat.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Check the air pressure in your spare tire whenever you check tire pressure.
There’s nothing more annoying than a flat spare when you have a flat tire.
It is also a wise idea to become familiar with changing a tire on your
car, before you have to. Acquaint yourself with the location of the jack
and its handle, where the jack is supposed to contact the vehicle when
raising it, the lug wrench, the location of the key for the wheel locks
(if equipped), and how to access the spare tire. Too often, motorists are
surprised to find essential tire-changing tools damaged or missing. It
is a good idea to make a practice run at changing a tire, so you’re on
top of things when your car has a real flat. If your car has a temporary
spare, drive your car within the limits specified on the tire's sidewall,
or until it is convenient to repair the disabled tire or replace it with
one of the same size and construction as the other tires on your car. Always
check your car’s owner's manual and the tire sidewall for instructions
on proper use of a temporary spare.
Tires
Description: Tires are simply the wearable and
therefore replaceable part of the tire/wheel assembly. Although many different
types of tire designs have been used since the dawn of the automobile, the
radial tire has virtually replaced all other varieties. Radial tires, by far,
deliver better safety and handling, fuel economy, steering, traction and
cornering. The typical radial tire consists of a bead, a casing, belts, and
tread.
Today, nearly all tires have belts made from steel. Radial tires
also last much longer than any previous tire design. Although driving habits and
tire care play a key role in tire life, radial tires may last as long as 160,000
kilometres. Virtually all of today’s tires used on automobiles, and many used on
light trucks, have a tubeless design. This means there is not a separate
balloon-like tube inside the tire, as was the case with older tire designs.
Purpose: Tires serve as the wearable part of
the overall tire/wheel assembly, but they also play a large role in vehicle
safety. Today’s tires must provide good traction under a wide range of driving
and road conditions while providing long tread wear.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Check tire pressure frequently and also inspect the tires for abnormal
tread wear and cuts and bruises along the sidewall. Rotate and balance
the tires on a regular basis. If your car has a flat, have the tire professionally
repaired. Since most flats are caused by damage to the tire, such as a
puncture, anything less than quality repairs can affect the integrity of
the tire. The best way to repair a tire is to have it removed from the
rim, the inside inspected and corrective measures taken. The quick plug,
done from the outside, is no longer recommended by the tire industry. According
to experts, the repair could fail, inviting a blowout. When replacing tires,
install only tires of the size recommended for your vehicle. Installing
the wrong tires can result in contact with body panels or steering and
suspension parts. The wrong tires can also affect speedometer readings
and engine/transmission control.
Tire Selection
Description: Tires have a coding system all their own that
indicates key things like size, application, speed rating, treadwear factors and
some others. All of this information is represented through an ordered series of
numbers and letters on the sidewalls of tires.
Purpose: Tires are a normal wear item and eventually
you'll be faced with replacing them. When you do, making the right choices can
make a big difference in your satisfaction once your new tires are installed.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: With a P225/75R15 tire as an
example, "P" represents passenger car applications (LT=Light Truck), 225
indicates the width of the tread in millimetres, 75 represents the aspect ratio
(width of the tread, divided by sidewall height), "R" means radial construction
(most tires nowadays) and the 15 means the diameter of the wheel in inches. A
tire may also carry a speed rating, which represents the maximum safe driving
speed for a given tire. If this is the case, the rating will precede the "R".
Speed ratings range from "S" to "Y", which represent 112 and 186 miles per hour
respectively. (Speed-rated tires are usually used in high-performance
applications.)
In most cases, cars and minivans are originally equipped with passenger car
tires, whereas larger vehicles like pickups, SUVs and the like come equipped
with light-truck tires. It's important to stick with the size tires and types as
recommended by your car's manufacturer or in a tire application guide from a
tire maker. Using tires of the wrong size can interfere with steering and
suspension parts and it can affect the accuracy of your car's speedometer along
with onboard control technology such as the transmission and anti-lock
brakes.
There are three other factors that may be helpful in your tire selection
process. These three "T's" are treadwear, traction and temperature. As with tire
sizes, the codes for these are marked on the sidewall of the tire, too. The
treadwear number is a relative indicator of just that -- the higher the number,
the better. In theory, a treadwear index of 200 means that the tire will last
twice as long as a tire with a 100 index.
Next, comes the traction index, which is expressed as a letter. A tire that
performs well during braking on both wet concrete and asphalt gets an "A" index;
a tire that performs well on only one of the surfaces gets a "B" index; and a
tire that performs poorly on both surfaces gets a "C" index.
The last of the "T's" is temperature resistance. An "A" index means the
tire has a high resistance to temperature; "B" means a medium
temperature-resistance and a "C" index indicates that the tire meets basic
safety standards.
There are still other considerations that go into formulating a tire choice
that's just right for your car, based on personal preferences. This may include
the type of tread for on- or off-road use, the amount of noise the tires produce
when driving on paved surfaces and other appearance-related options like raised
white letters or black sidewalls.
Wheel Alignment
Description: Wheel alignment consists of a series of
interrelated measurements and adjustments that bring a vehicle’s steering,
suspension and on-road driving characteristics into manufacturers’
specifications.
Purpose: Proper wheel alignment reduces tire wear,
improves fuel economy and handling, while increasing driving enjoyment and
safety.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Have your car’s alignment
checked once a year. Normal wear and road conditions can take their toll on your
car’s steering and suspension system, possibly throwing the alignment settings
out of specifications. For best results, seek a reliable alignment shop and
qualified technician who can perform a four-wheel alignment on your car.
Traditionally, alignments have always been associated with only the front
wheels, but no longer. Consider this: The rear wheels set the direction of
vehicle travel; the front wheels steer the vehicle. Having all four wheels
checked ensures directional harmony as your car goes down the road. Some common
symptoms of your car needing an alignment include uneven tire tread wear,
pulling to one side, wandering, and an off-centre steering wheel. Start an
annual routine of alignment checks and you won’t have to experience reduced
tread wear and a loss of vehicle performance. While having your car’s alignment
set, it also serves as the perfect opportunity to balance your car’s wheels.
Wheel Balance
Description: Wheel balance refers to the proper
distribution of weight around a revolving tire and wheel assembly. Poor wheel
balance can have a marked impact on both your car and your safety.
Purpose: Proper wheel balance ensures that the wheels,
while spinning, do not have a heavy spot that can cause vibration and premature
wear of tires, struts, shocks and other steering and suspension components. When
combined with proper wheel alignment, balanced wheels ensure smooth and
enjoyable driving.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: The most common signs of
unbalanced tires are vibration and noise problems. When driving with an
out-of-balance wheel, the wheel literally bounces down the road rather than
spinning smoothly. This can affect the speed, handling and mileage of your car.
Many of today’s cars have lightweight suspension systems and are therefore, more
sensitive to imbalance than older cars. It is a good idea to have your car’s
wheels balanced when rotating the tires, about every 10,000 kilometres. It is
not uncommon for wheels to lose a wheel weight from time to time; so periodic
balancing minimizes the impact of unbalanced wheels on your car.
Wheel Covers
Description: Wheel covers, commonly called hubcaps, attach
to a steel wheel with a series of retention clips at the outer edge. Steel
wheels usually take a full wheel cover or hubcap. Some upscale wheel covers also
use a separate anti-theft retaining screw with a separate cap or cover.
Aluminium wheels generally use a smaller centre cap that covers the hub and lug
nuts and are either a machined finish or painted finish with a hard clear
coating.
Purpose: Wheel covers dress up the appearance of cars with
standard steel wheels.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Wheel covers should be
cleaned periodically when washing your car using a suitable cleaner. When
changing a tire, use care when removing the wheel cover to make sure you don’t
damage or dislodge one of the retention clips. Bent or missing retention clips
are the main reason wheel covers fall off. When reinstalling the wheel cover,
use extreme care not to break or bend the retention clips. This is especially
true on wheel covers with plastic clips. Apply pressure to the wheel cover
evenly and gradually; do not force the cover on.
To make sure the cover is fully seated, use a rubber mallet if possible and
tap gently and evenly around the cover’s edge. When installed properly, the
cover should be evenly seated around the edge of the wheel. If you should lose a
wheel cover, there’s no need to go to your car dealer. There are numerous
sources of wheel covers from the automotive aftermarket.
Wheel Locks
Description: Wheel locks function like regular lug nuts,
with the exception of requiring a special key tool for removal and installation.
Purpose: Wheel locks help to prevent theft of expensive
aluminium and alloy wheels, along with their tires. Wheel locks are also
available for spare tires.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Keep the key to your wheel
locks in a convenient place (glove box) so it will be available when you need
it. If the key is used when your car is in for service, check to make sure that
it has been returned to the place where you keep it. Finding out that you don’t
have the key when it is time to change a flat tire can turn a minor
inconvenience into a major aggravation. It is also a good idea to record the
code from your wheel locks and order an extra key if possible.
Wheel
Description: Wheels can be made of steel, aluminium or
various alloys. Steel wheels often have a wheel cover affixed to the outer edge
for appearance.
Purpose: Wheels support the tire and must be able to
withstand loads from acceleration, braking and cornering. Aluminium and alloy
wheels also serve an aesthetic purpose and dress up the vehicle’s appearance.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Wheels should be cleaned
frequently using a suitable wheel cleaner. Use extreme care not to use any
abrasive pads or cleaners that may remove the protective coating and scratch the
wheels. It is best to clean the wheels while they’re cool. Clean one at a time
and rinse all cleaner away. Wheel cleaner should not be allowed to sit on wheels
for extended periods.
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