Under Pressure

1. Conduct a visual inspection of your vehicle’s tires prior to operation. Look for signs of irregular wear in the tread or shoulder of the tire and examine the tire for bubbles or bumps caused by air infiltration or foreign objects.
2. Check tires for correct air pressures. Perform this step daily on vehicles in constant use because air pressure is critical to a tire’s performance. Check air pressure weekly on vehicles with less demanding schedules.
3. Check the vehicle’s owner’s manual to determine precise air pressure. It should provide initial data on the weight of the vehicle and standard load. Your tire distributor can help pinpoint the exact air pressure recommendations for your tires based on the manufacturer’s requirements and the application in which the vehicle is being used.
4. Never weld or apply heat to parts of the wheel near the tire. Heat causes serious damage to tires and can cause them to explode. Tires should always be removed before these types of procedures are conducted.
5. Store tires properly when they are not in use. Place them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to avoid premature aging. Also, prevent exposure to ozone sources such as sun, arc-welders and mercury vapor light bulbs, as well as ultra-violet rays and inclement weather. Store tires standing upright on the tread and avoid stacking, which can weaken the tires on the bottom of the stack.
6. Deflate the inner and outer tires of a twin fitment before removing any rim fixture from the hub of the vehicle.
7. Avoid mixing tires on your vehicle. Pairing a normal tread depth with a deep tread depth or a bias-ply tire with a radial could cause damage to the vehicle’s internal components.