Tire Maintenance Checklist
02-05-03, 07:52 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Tire Maintenance Checklist
Tire Maintenance Checklist
Pressure - Underinflation results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!
Alignment - A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a tire dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Rotation - Regularly rotating your vehicle's tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle's owners manual has a specific recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 6,000 miles.
Tread - Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.
Don't Forget: Always practice good driving habits
Refer to your vehicle's owners manual for the proper level of inflation; it may also be posted on the door post or in the glove box.
When you check the air pressure, make sure the tires are cool - meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile. (Note: If you have to drive a distance to get air, check and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the air pressure inside to go up as you drive. Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot.)
Remove the cap from the tire valve, firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve and note the reading.
Add air to achieve recommended air pressure.
If you overfill the tire, you can release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with a fingernail or the tip of a pen. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
Replace the valve cap.
Repeat with each tire, including the spare (Note: Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure).
Why Check Your Alignment?
If your car's suspension system is out of alignment, your tires will wear unevenly and you may experience handling problems. Potholes and rough roads can contribute to problems with alignment.
Front-wheel drive vehicles, and those with independent rear suspension, require alignment of all four wheels.
Have a tire dealer check your alignment periodically as specified by your vehicle's owners manual or if handling problems develop, such as "pulling" or vibration.
Also have your tire balance checked periodically. An unbalanced tire and wheel assembly may result in irregular wear.
Why Rotate Your Tires?
Each tire on your car supports a different amount of weight; this unequal weight distribution causes your tires to wear at different rates. By rotating your tires, you can extend their useful life.
If your tires show uneven wear, ask your tire dealer to check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem involved before rotation.
Refer to your vehicle's owners manual for rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles.
Sometimes front and rear tires use different pressures. After rotation, adjust individual tire air pressure to the figures recommended for each wheel position by the vehicle manufacturer.
How to Check Tread
When the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, tires must be replaced.
All tires have "wear bars," which are small, raised bars of rubber in the groove that indicate when tires are worn out. If your tread is worn down to the wear bars, it's time for a new tire.
A penny is a reliable tool to check tire tread.
1. Take a penny and put Abe's head into one of the grooves of the tire tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the legal amount of tread.
2. If you can see all of Abe's head, it's time to replace the tire.
Visually check your tires for signs of uneven wear. You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also make sure no nails or other objects are embedded in the tire. Consult your tire dealer as soon as possible if you see problems.
Other Important Information: Practice good driving habits, which will help keep your tires in good condition.
Obey posted speed limits.
Always buckle your seat belt.
Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
Avoid potholes and other objects on the road.
Do not run over curbs or hit your tires against the curb when parking.
Do not overload your vehicle. Check your vehicle's tire information or owner's manual for the maximum recommended load for your vehicle.
If properly cared for, tires can last a long time - usually from 40,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on the application.
Pressure - Underinflation results in unnecessary tire stress, irregular wear, loss of control and accidents. A tire can lose up to half of its air pressure and not appear to be flat!
Alignment - A bad jolt from hitting a curb or pothole can throw your front end out of alignment and damage your tires. Have a tire dealer check the alignment periodically to ensure that your car is properly aligned.
Rotation - Regularly rotating your vehicle's tires will help you achieve more uniform wear. Unless your vehicle's owners manual has a specific recommendation, the guideline for tire rotation is approximately every 6,000 miles.
Tread - Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. Visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.
Don't Forget: Always practice good driving habits
Refer to your vehicle's owners manual for the proper level of inflation; it may also be posted on the door post or in the glove box.
When you check the air pressure, make sure the tires are cool - meaning they are not hot from driving even a mile. (Note: If you have to drive a distance to get air, check and record the tire pressure first and add the appropriate air pressure when you get to the pump. It is normal for tires to heat up and the air pressure inside to go up as you drive. Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot.)
Remove the cap from the tire valve, firmly press a tire gauge onto the valve and note the reading.
Add air to achieve recommended air pressure.
If you overfill the tire, you can release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve with a fingernail or the tip of a pen. Then recheck the pressure with your tire gauge.
Replace the valve cap.
Repeat with each tire, including the spare (Note: Some spare tires require higher inflation pressure).
Why Check Your Alignment?
If your car's suspension system is out of alignment, your tires will wear unevenly and you may experience handling problems. Potholes and rough roads can contribute to problems with alignment.
Front-wheel drive vehicles, and those with independent rear suspension, require alignment of all four wheels.
Have a tire dealer check your alignment periodically as specified by your vehicle's owners manual or if handling problems develop, such as "pulling" or vibration.
Also have your tire balance checked periodically. An unbalanced tire and wheel assembly may result in irregular wear.
Why Rotate Your Tires?
Each tire on your car supports a different amount of weight; this unequal weight distribution causes your tires to wear at different rates. By rotating your tires, you can extend their useful life.
If your tires show uneven wear, ask your tire dealer to check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem involved before rotation.
Refer to your vehicle's owners manual for rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated approximately every 6,000 miles.
Sometimes front and rear tires use different pressures. After rotation, adjust individual tire air pressure to the figures recommended for each wheel position by the vehicle manufacturer.
How to Check Tread
When the tread is worn down to 1/16 of an inch, tires must be replaced.
All tires have "wear bars," which are small, raised bars of rubber in the groove that indicate when tires are worn out. If your tread is worn down to the wear bars, it's time for a new tire.
A penny is a reliable tool to check tire tread.
1. Take a penny and put Abe's head into one of the grooves of the tire tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you're driving with the legal amount of tread.
2. If you can see all of Abe's head, it's time to replace the tire.
Visually check your tires for signs of uneven wear. You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also make sure no nails or other objects are embedded in the tire. Consult your tire dealer as soon as possible if you see problems.
Other Important Information: Practice good driving habits, which will help keep your tires in good condition.
Obey posted speed limits.
Always buckle your seat belt.
Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
Avoid potholes and other objects on the road.
Do not run over curbs or hit your tires against the curb when parking.
Do not overload your vehicle. Check your vehicle's tire information or owner's manual for the maximum recommended load for your vehicle.
If properly cared for, tires can last a long time - usually from 40,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on the application.
02-05-03, 07:58 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Some additional facts.
Number of tires on the road in America in 1999 on non-commercial vehicles (cars and light trucks, including SUVs): 822 million
Number of tires shipped in 2001: 300 million
Miles driven by non-commercial vehicles in 2000: 2.76 trillion
Occupant fatalities in 2001: 36,386
Number of fatalities in 1999 that involved "tire related factors": 697 or 1.9 percent
Recommended frequency for visual inspection and air pressure check of all four tires and the spare: once a month and before every long trip.
Be smart, play your "PART" and pay attention to the following:
P=Pressure
A=Alignment
R=Rotation
T=Tread
How a Tire is Made
As many as two hundred different raw materials combine into a unique mix of chemistry, physics and engineering to give consumers the highest degree of comfort, performance, efficiency, reliability and safety modern technology and creativity can provide. Here are the basic steps:
Planning and Design
Many tires are custom-designed to meet the stresses and performance needs specified by the maker of a particular model vehicle. The process begins with a computer, which converts the mathematics of the car's special needs into specifications. A prototype tire is then made to test the tire design's ability to provide the desired characteristics. Custom-designing a tire for a particular vehicle typically takes many months of testing, inspection, and quality checks by the tire maker and the vehicle maker. Only then does the vehicle maker commit with an order.
Manufacturing
The production process begins with the selection of several types of rubber along with special oils, carbon black, pigments, antioxidants, silica, and other additives that will combine to provide the exact characteristics wanted. Separate compounds are used for different parts of the tire. A machine called a banbury mixer combines the various raw materials for each compound into a homogenized batch of black material with the consistency of gum. The mixing process is computer-controlled to assure uniformity. The compounded materials are then sent to machines for further processing into the sidewalls, treads or other parts of the tire.
Then the task of assembling the tire begins. The first component to go on the tire building machine is the innerliner, a special rubber that is resistant to air and moisture penetration and takes the place of an inner tube. Next come the body plies and belts, which are often made from polyester and steel. Plies and belts give the tire strength while also providing flexibility. The belts are cut to the precise angle and size the tire engineer specifies to provide the desired ride and handling characteristics. Bronze-coated strands of steel wire, fashioned into two hoops, are implanted into the sidewall of the tires to form the bead, which assures an airtight fit with the rim of the wheel. The tread and sidewalls are put into position over the belt and body plies, and then all the parts are pressed firmly together. The end result is called a "green" or uncured tire.
The last step is to cure the tire. The "green" tire is placed inside a mold and inflated to press it against the mold, forming the tread and the tire identification information on the sidewall. Then it is heated at more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to fifteen minutes, vulcanizing it to bond the components and to cure the rubber. (FACT: This twelve to fifteen minute curing process is for passenger and light truck tires only, off-road and large tires may take up at a day to cure because of their size!) Every tire is then inspected, and sample tires are randomly taken from the line and tested. Some are x-rayed, some are cut apart to look for flaws, others are run on test wheels, or road-tested to evaluate handling, mileage and traction performance.
Number of tires on the road in America in 1999 on non-commercial vehicles (cars and light trucks, including SUVs): 822 million
Number of tires shipped in 2001: 300 million
Miles driven by non-commercial vehicles in 2000: 2.76 trillion
Occupant fatalities in 2001: 36,386
Number of fatalities in 1999 that involved "tire related factors": 697 or 1.9 percent
Recommended frequency for visual inspection and air pressure check of all four tires and the spare: once a month and before every long trip.
Be smart, play your "PART" and pay attention to the following:
P=Pressure
A=Alignment
R=Rotation
T=Tread
How a Tire is Made
As many as two hundred different raw materials combine into a unique mix of chemistry, physics and engineering to give consumers the highest degree of comfort, performance, efficiency, reliability and safety modern technology and creativity can provide. Here are the basic steps:
Planning and Design
Many tires are custom-designed to meet the stresses and performance needs specified by the maker of a particular model vehicle. The process begins with a computer, which converts the mathematics of the car's special needs into specifications. A prototype tire is then made to test the tire design's ability to provide the desired characteristics. Custom-designing a tire for a particular vehicle typically takes many months of testing, inspection, and quality checks by the tire maker and the vehicle maker. Only then does the vehicle maker commit with an order.
Manufacturing
The production process begins with the selection of several types of rubber along with special oils, carbon black, pigments, antioxidants, silica, and other additives that will combine to provide the exact characteristics wanted. Separate compounds are used for different parts of the tire. A machine called a banbury mixer combines the various raw materials for each compound into a homogenized batch of black material with the consistency of gum. The mixing process is computer-controlled to assure uniformity. The compounded materials are then sent to machines for further processing into the sidewalls, treads or other parts of the tire.
Then the task of assembling the tire begins. The first component to go on the tire building machine is the innerliner, a special rubber that is resistant to air and moisture penetration and takes the place of an inner tube. Next come the body plies and belts, which are often made from polyester and steel. Plies and belts give the tire strength while also providing flexibility. The belts are cut to the precise angle and size the tire engineer specifies to provide the desired ride and handling characteristics. Bronze-coated strands of steel wire, fashioned into two hoops, are implanted into the sidewall of the tires to form the bead, which assures an airtight fit with the rim of the wheel. The tread and sidewalls are put into position over the belt and body plies, and then all the parts are pressed firmly together. The end result is called a "green" or uncured tire.
The last step is to cure the tire. The "green" tire is placed inside a mold and inflated to press it against the mold, forming the tread and the tire identification information on the sidewall. Then it is heated at more than 300 degrees Fahrenheit for twelve to fifteen minutes, vulcanizing it to bond the components and to cure the rubber. (FACT: This twelve to fifteen minute curing process is for passenger and light truck tires only, off-road and large tires may take up at a day to cure because of their size!) Every tire is then inspected, and sample tires are randomly taken from the line and tested. Some are x-rayed, some are cut apart to look for flaws, others are run on test wheels, or road-tested to evaluate handling, mileage and traction performance.
Last edited by SharpLS-96; 02-05-03 at 08:15 PM.
02-05-03, 08:12 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
What's Inside a Tire?
TREAD: Provides traction and cornering grip.
BELTS: Stabilize and strengthen the tread.
SIDEWALL: Protects the side of the tire from road and curb damage.
BODY PLY: Gives the tire strength and flexibility.
BEAD: Assures an air-tight fit with the wheel.
INNERLINER: Keeps air inside the tire.
BELTS: Stabilize and strengthen the tread.
SIDEWALL: Protects the side of the tire from road and curb damage.
BODY PLY: Gives the tire strength and flexibility.
BEAD: Assures an air-tight fit with the wheel.
INNERLINER: Keeps air inside the tire.
04-13-04, 10:37 AM
#4
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
I'm going to bump and sticky this post for a while.
Sharp, not sure of the source - did you write this yourself or pull it from somewhere? Good stuff!
Sharp, not sure of the source - did you write this yourself or pull it from somewhere? Good stuff!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
purebliss
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
6
04-09-05 02:51 PM
