Air Pressure

Check the pressure in your tires at a minimum of once per month and before long trips when your tires are cool. Your tires can be considered cool after the vehicle has been stopped for at least 3 hours and driven less than one mile. Adjust to the vehicle manufacturer's specified pressure while tires are cold. Never bleed or reduce air pressure when tires are hot. It is normal for pressure to build up as a result of driving. Use an accurate tire gauge to check pressure and maintain it at the level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Keep your tire within the manufacturer's specified pressure range. Ignoring this recommendation may result in unexpected loss of vehicle control or accidents.

Alignment of Vehicle

If you notice that your vehicle pulls to the left or right of the road while driving with the wheel in the 12 o' clock position, you may need a wheel alignment. A wheel alignment places all four wheels of the ...[more]

There is a lot to learn from the sidewall of your tire. Although at first glance you may think you stumbled across tire hieroglyphics, you've actually found molded into the tires side its own user manual.

Tire Size

Example P205/55R16 91W

• P identifies your tire as a Passenger Tire. The P stands for PMetric. If your tire size starts with LT rather than a P than it identifies the tire as a light truck tire.
• 205 identifies the tire section width, which is the measurement of the tire from sidewall to sidewall in millimeters. This measurement varies depending on the rim to which it is fitted.
  (There are 25.4 millimeters per 1 inch.)
• 55 is the two-figure aspect ratio. This percentage compares the tires section height with the tires section width. For example, this aspect ratio of 55 means that the tires section ...[more]

Problems always seem to happen at the most inconvenient times. Sufficient planning and preparation can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a potentially dangerous situation.

The leading cause of death during winter storms is auto accidents. Below are preventative tips to keep you safe on the road this winter. You may not be able to control Mother Nature but using caution and common sense can prevent an accident.

• Always know the weather before you get on the road. Remember to be extra careful when driving on bridges and overpasses; they are the first to freeze over. Be aware of black ice. Black ice occurs when the road appears to be dry but is darker and shinier than usual. Slow down when driving through these areas.
• Always Buckle Up!
• Slow Down (this includes turning, braking, stopping and accelerating).
• Stay Alert. Make sure you are aw ...[more]

The Evolution of the Passenger Tire

Dateline 3500 B.C.--Today man invented the greatest invention ever seen, THE WHEEL!

Thousands of years later, the wheel has come a long way. For one thing it is no longer made of wood and it is guaranteed that the ride is much smoother. What hasn't changed is the fact it is still one of man's greatest inventions. Could you even imagine where we would be today without it?

The early wheel was very simple...a solid curved piece of wood, then leather was eventually added to soften the ride, as time progressed it became solid rubber which led to today's tire--the pneumatic, or air inflated, radial tire.

The first wheels made of metal or wood were very durable but did not provide a very comfortable ride. The nearest thing to the first tire was a metal hoop. There were many individuals that made contributions in creating the tire as we think of it today.

Vulcanization and Charles Go ...[more]

Proper tire care is simple and easy. The Rubber Manufacturer's Association (RMA) recommends getting into the habit of taking five minutes each month to check your tires.

• Pressure
• Alignment
• Rotation
• Tread

Visit the RMA Website for more information.

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that actually touches the road when you drive. It only takes a couple of minutes of maintenance each month to keep your tires working at their best.

Check Your Air Pressure Once a Month

Incorrect air pressure is the leading cause of tire damage. To avoid tire damage you need to check your tire's air pressure once a month.

The correct tire pressure is listed on the vehicle placard & can be found in the following places:

• In the car owner's manual
• Under the gas tank lid
• Along the driver's side door edge
• Along the door post

The air pressure listed on the side of your tire is NOT the correct air pressure for your vehicle. That number is the maximum air pressure for the tire. Remember to check the air in your spare tire.

Don't get stranded or put out costly towing expenses. Check your air press ...[more]

Tires are not just round and black they are sophisticated products that can take years of research and development to produce. If you have ever wondered how tires are made, the following is a roadmap for the construction of a radial tire:

Start with Rubber and Additives

Tire construction starts when raw chemical additives such as sulfur, carbon black and solvents are combined with natural and synthetic rubber. The process takes place in a large machine called a banbury.

In addition to mixing and grinding, the banbury heats the rubber to make it workable in preparation for further applications. The raw product emerges in the form of long, flat bands of rubber, which are then worked in rolling mills.

Six Main Components

It takes several machines to shape the rubber into the individual components of the tire: tread, ply, belts, beads, sidewalls, and innerliner.

• The tread rubber is extruded through a tuber ...[more]

Driving in the rain can be dangerous; in fact thousands of car accidents each year are caused by wet driving conditions.

Routinely Check Your Tires

It is a good idea to always check your tires before you hit the road. To ensure your tires are working at their best, make sure you do the following routine maintenance:

• Keep your tires properly inflated. The correct air pressure for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle placard located on door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owners manual. The number listed on the side of the tire is not the recommended air pressure for your tire -- it is the maximum air pressure for the tire.
  You should check your tire's air pressure at least once a month.
• Check the tires tread depth. Tires should have minimum 1/16 inch tread depth. Proper tre ...[more]