Car Tire Faq For Your Safety

The following facts are not so well-known, especially when it comes to the highway tires used for semi drivers.

#1. An engine is going to struggle to perform when the tires are not fully inflated. There will be an excessive amount of the tire surface on the road if tire pressure is too low, which then results in greater friction altogether. Consequently, the tires are more apt to overheating and are worn out more quickly.

#2. Does the tire need to be rotated from front to back or side to side? Radial tires are able to be placed in a rotation pattern, from side to side. However, when it comes to bias ply tires, you should never move these from side to side.

#3. Nearly all manufacturers will also place "P" rated tires onto a 4WD truck. The exception to this rule is the manufacturers who actually place light truck (LT) tires onto 4-wheel drive trucks and SUVs.

#4. Any screeching or squealing that takes place when you turn a corner signifies low tire pressure.

#5. Your tire could lose as much as 50% of its air pressure before taking on the classic "flat tire" appearance.

#6. U.S. tire manufacturers (excluding the American government) will test and assign their tires for various grades according to temperature resistance, traction and treadwear. Then again, there really is no designated formula meant for gauging the manufacturer's test results into universal grades; this is why it is important to understand that the different tire ratings will not be objective.

#7. An underinflation level that hits as small a rating as 6 psi will cut a driver's gas mileage by as much as 3%.

#8. Caution: Never, under any circumstances, purchase a tire that comes with a lower speed rating or load index than the vehicle's previous tires.

#9. You should never purchase more than one set of tires in one go and only place your new tires onto the rear axle. A prevailing myth is that placing a new tire onto the drive-wheel position will offer the greatest security; however, this actually leads to greater vulnerability in the vehicle's performance and can cause uncontrolled swinging or fishtailing.

#10. Take a penny and use it to figure out whether or not your tires have gone too low. Take the head side of the penny and place it against one of the tire's tread grooves. You can rest easy of part of Abe's head is concealed in the groove. However, if all of Abe's head is visible, you should think about getting your tire replaced. The tire has to be replaced with a new one after the tread has been reduced 1/16 of an inch.

#11. The sidewalls of your tires have a "T", but this does not signify "truck"; this actually stands for "temporary" spare.

#12. In almost all cases, the "recommended" tire pressure will fall under the "maximum" tire pressure that is found along the tire's sidewall. You should look into your owner's manual to learn which part of your vehicle offers a recommendation for air pressure; this number is generally located in the glove compartment, on the driver side's door or on the gas filler door.