OVERVIEW
You may not realize it, but the way you drive can have a lot to do with how long your tires will last and how well they perform. As you head down the road, there are a number of things to keep in mind, so cultivate good driving habits for your own benefit.
- Observe posted speed limits.
- Avoid fast starts, stops and turns.
- Avoid potholes and objects on the road.
- Do not run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking.
For more tire safety information, call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.
SPARE CARE
Many late-model vehicles are equipped with temporary spare tires and wheels that are different from your regular tires and wheels. Some may require higher inflation pressure, or the use of special canisters to inflate the tire.
Do not exceed 50 mph with a temporary spare. You may operate a vehicle with such a tire within the limits indicated on the sidewall of the tire, until it is convenient to repair the disabled tire or replace it with one of the same size designation and construction as the other tires on the vehicle.
Consult your vehicle owner's manual and the tire sidewall for instructions on proper use of a temporary spare.
Check the inflation in your spare tire every time you check all the others. A spare tire with no air in it is no help to you in an emergency. If you have an inflatable spare, be sure to check the aerosol air inflation pressure canister to be sure it has not been damaged. If so, have it checked by an expert.
Remember, improper mounting and overinflation may damage the tire or wheel and can result in an explosion that could cause serious injury and death.
Run Low Tires
Certain new automobiles may be equipped with tires that can be run with reduced or zero air pressure for a limited number of miles at reduced speeds. Once a tire has been run at reduced or zero pressure conditions, it must be replaced or demounted and inspected to determine if it is reusable, depending on the tire manufacturer.
Aerosol Inflators
Do not depend on tire aerosol sealants and inflators to fix a damaged tire permanently. These products are designed to provide only a temporary, emergency repair to help get you off the road and to the nearest tire repair facility.
NOTE: Some aerosol products of this type use flammable gases, such as butane, propane or isobutane as propellants. Never, under any circumstances, introduce a flammable substance into a tire. Be sure to inform tire service personnel if you have used any aerosol product to inflate your tire.
If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.
HABITS TO AVOID
You may not realize it, but the way you drive can have a lot to do with how long your tires will last and how well they perform. As you head down the road, there are a number of things to keep in mind:
Take it easy. Avoid hard cornering, rapid accelerations and abrupt braking and stopping. They put a lot of stress on your tires. Smooth, safe driving is better for your tires—and for you, too.
Watch out for overloading. Driving on an overloaded tire is hazardous. When your car is carrying too much, the weight can create excessive heat inside your tires—and that can cause sudden tire failure. Never exceed the maximum load rating of your tires, which you can find on the sidewall of the tire, in the owner’s manual or on the vehicle placard. When you replace a tire, make sure the new one has a load-carrying capacity equal to or greater than the tires that originally came with your vehicle.
If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.
GETTING STUCK AND UNSTUCK
If you find yourself stuck in snow, ice, mud or wet grass, don't spin your tires rapidly, and never spin them if a drive wheel is off the ground. Doing so can actually cause a tire to explode and seriously injure someone, because if one drive wheel is stuck, and the other is free to spin, all the engine's power goes to the free wheel. If you're in snow, turn off the vehicle, apply the brakes and shovel snow away from the tires and vehicle. Try sand and gravel to get more traction. If that doesn't work, gently rock the vehicle back and forth using forward and reverse gears. Keep people away from your tires and the vehicle as you rock.
The idea is to accelerate slowly; never exceed 35 mph on your speedometer.
Note: Check your owner’s manual to be sure that rocking is appropriate for your vehicle. Also, if you have anti-lock brakes, follow the manual’s instructions for this procedure.
If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Paying attention to road conditions and weather can help ensure safe travels. Snow and wet weather require extra attention and quick response while driving. Obviously, it's best not to hit potholes or objects in the road, so avoid them and other hazards in the road. But if you can't avoid them, remember that the faster you are going when you hit something, the greater the impact on your tires so slow down as much as you can without endangering yourself or others.
If you can’t avoid a pothole, don’t apply the brakes when you hit it. Instead, apply them as you approach the hole, and release them just before striking it. This slows you down, but allows the tire to roll as it hits, softening the impact. If you hit an object or hole, have your tires checked by a professional. Such collisions can cause internal tire damage that you can’t see—but which can cause problems later on. Sometimes, a tire can be severely damaged and travel hundreds or even thousands of miles before failing. A vibration or rough ride may be a sign of such damage—and that it is time for a replacement.
Traction tip - In rainy or snowy weather, some drivers might let a little air out of their tires, thinking it will give them more traction. That’s a very bad idea. In reality, it actually reduces traction. It also impairs your ability to control the vehicle, increases the possibility of tire failure due to underinflation, and increases tire wear.
If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.