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| TIRE BASICS The sidewall of a tire includes a variety of important information about the tire. The numbers and letters identify dimensions and performance standards that allow you to compare tires more accurately and intelligently. Simply select any of the information below to learn more. (The sidewall of passenger car tires and light truck tires varies. When selecting a replacement tire, always consult a Toyo tire dealer.)
When the tread is worn down to one-sixteenth of an inch, the tire is worn out and it is time to replace it. Built-in tread wear indicators, or "wear bars," which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread, will appear on the tire when that point of wear is reached.
Where To Find The Correct O.E. Inflation Pressure You will find the recommended pressure on a placard or sticker in the door jamb, glove compartment, or near the gas cap. If your vehicle does not have a placard, check the owner's manual or consult the vehicle manufacturer, tire manufacturer, or your local tire dealer. The tire placard tells you the maximum vehicle load, the cold tire pressure, and the tire size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Using A Tire Pressure Gauge You can't tell when tires are low or under inflated just by looking. Always use an accurate tire pressure gauge to determine your tire pressure. Pressure gauges are available at your Toyo tire dealer or auto parts store. When To Check Tire Pressure Check inflation pressure (including the spare) at least once a month and before every long trip. Tires must be checked when they are cold (before they have run a mile). If you must drive over a mile for air, measure and record the under inflation amount of each tire. Upon arriving at the service station, measure each tire's inflation again and if the pressure has increased, adjust the amount of additional air pressure needed. For example, if cold pressure should be 35PSI, cold pressure was 28PSI, and current pressure is 33PSI, you should inflate the warm tires to 40PSI and recheck them again when cold. How Do Tires Lose Pressure? Tires lose pressure naturally through the process of permeation. Changes in outdoor temperature can affect the rate at which tires lose air. This change is more pronounced in hot weather. Generally speaking, a tire will lose one or two pounds of air pressure per month in cool weather or even more in hot weather. Remember, under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure, so check inflation pressure regularly. Other Tips: - Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot. It is normal for pressures to build up as a result of driving. - Make sure all tire valves and extensions are equipped with valve caps with rubber gaskets to keep out dirt and moisture. Have a new valve stem assembly installed whenever a tire is replaced. - Under inflation or overloading creates excessive heat, and can lead to tire failure, which could result in vehicle damage and/or serious injury or death. Balance You may have noticed the small weights placed on the rim of your tire. These weights help the tire remain balanced at all speeds. At high speeds a tire which is not balanced properly can generate severe vibrations. An unbalanced tire and wheel can also lead to irregular tread wear.
What To Do If You're Stuck When stuck on ice, snow, mud, or wet grass, the vehicle should be rocked gently back and forth by repeatedly shifting the gear lever from drive to reverse on automatic transmissions or reverse to second on manual transmissions. This should be done with as little tire spinning as possible. The force caused by a rapidly spinning tire can cause an explosion by literally tearing the tire apart. Some vehicles are capable of bringing a tire to this failing point in as little as five seconds. Using Your Spare Many newer vehicles come equipped with a temporary spare. These tires are usually much smaller than the other tires on your car. It is important to realize that these spares have far more limitations than a typical tire, including speed and recommended driving distance. Some spare tires even require the use of a special canister to inflate the tire. You should familiarize yourself with the spare by reading the owner's manual and the sidewall of the spare. And remember, check the air pressure of the spare frequently. Hydroplaning Three main factors contribute to the loss of traction on wet roads known as hydroplaning: - Vehicle speed. As speed increases, wet traction is considerably reduced. - Water depth. The deeper the water, the sooner you will lose traction, although even thin water layers can cause a loss of traction, even at low speeds. - Tire tread depth. As your tires become worn, their ability to resist hydroplaning is reduced. Since hydroplaning can result in a complete loss of traction and vehicle control, you should always reduce speed with consideration to the traffic around you. Driving On Ice And Snow All-season tires are designed to provide higher levels of snow traction than non-all-season tires. You have all-season tires if you find the letters "M+S" molded into the sidewall near the bead. These letters mean "Mud and Snow." Even the best all-season tires will not provide acceptable levels of traction if you drive too fast in snow/ice conditions, and if you do not allow at least 12 times more stopping distance on wintry roads. For Safe Winter Driving Reduce your speed. Even good road conditions can deteriorate quickly. Increase your stopping distance - at least 12 times more than on dry roads. You may not always need that much distance, but when you do, you'll be glad you were playing it safe. Check the condition of your tires. Worn tires provide less grip. Proper alignment is essential for optimum performance and maximum tire life. Misalignment in the front or rear, improperly operating brakes or shock absorbers, bent wheels, worn bushings, and any other mechanical problems can cause uneven and rapid treadwear. Each of these situations should be corrected immediately by your Toyo dealer. Front-wheel-drive vehicles and those with independent rear suspensions require special attention, and should be checked periodically.A bad jolt, such as hitting a pothole, can throw your vehicle out of alignment. Such an impact can also bend the rim, causing a loss of air pressure and damage to your tires with little or no visible evidence present. Which types of tire injuries are serviceable? The answer to that question depends upon the injury itself. Every injury, including punctures, scrapes, bulges, separations, or cuts should be evaluated by your Toyo tire dealer. Air loss due to punctures can ruin tires that might have been saved had they been removed in time for proper repair. Gradual air loss raises a tire's operating temperature. This can cause some of the components to separate, or damage the tire body in ways that create rapid or sudden air loss. You can never play it too safe; if your tire shows visible damage or you suspect hidden damage due to small punctures or impact, consult your Toyo Plus sizing wheels and tires has become the hottest trend among enthusiasts. Adding inches to the wheel diameter for wider, low aspect ratio tires can increase your car’s handling capabilities. Plus Zero |
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