TIRE INFLATION - Check tire inflation pressures at least once a month or before long trips. Do this when tires are cold before the vehicle has been driven. Inflate tires to recommended tire pressure indicated on the vehicle tire placard (usually located on the door jam) or in the owner’s manual.

TIRE INSPECTION - Visually inspect your tires periodically for bulges, cracks and/or cuts in the sidewall. Inspect for uneven tread wear as well (i.e. more wear on the inside vs. the outside of the tire). If you notice any of these conditions, have your vehicle checked immediately by a tire professional.

TIRE ROTATION - Rotate your tires every 5-6,000 miles to maximize tread life and to keep tires wearing evenly.

TIRE BALANCE - Have your tires rebalanced every 10-12,000 miles
(generally every other tire rotation).

WHEEL ALIGNMENT - Have the wheel alignment checked every 12-15,000 miles or
at least once a year.

UNDER-INFLATED TIRES - Never drive on a severely under-inflated tire as this can destroy the tire beyond repair. Inflate the tire to the recommended pressure or install your spare tire. Refrain from using aerosol sealants such as fix-a-flat. Have the tire immediately inspected for a possible puncture or cut. A tire should never be repaired without first removing the tire from the rim to inspect the inside of the tire for damage. If repairable, tire should be properly repaired with a plug patch repair unit. A tire should never be repaired from the outside with a plug only repair.

Under-inflation is the number one cause for premature tire wear.

Tires are the single most important components on your vehicle. Your tires are the only thing between you and the road. They must react to numerous circumstances provided by the driver at any given moment (i.e. acceleration, braking, and cornering on dry, wet, snowy, slushy or icy conditions.) This can not be achieved without adequate tread rubber and proper inflation of your tires. Even perfectly working brakes will not stop a vehicle if the tires are badly worn. (This could be the difference between having an accident or not.)

Tires should be replaced in sets of four whenever possible. This is a must on all wheel drive vehicles; otherwise possible drive train or transmission problems could occur on all wheel drive vehicles if the tires are not exactly the same.)

If only two tires are replaced on a vehicle, the new tires must be installed on the rear axle. New tires on the front axle with worn or lesser tires on the rear will make a vehicle tend to over steer especially on wet or slippery roads. This could cause the vehicle to loose lateral stability or control and cause a spin out of control. This has been known to cause serious injury and or fatal accidents on front wheel drive vehicles!

When replacing tires on any vehicle the tires should be replaced with the same size, load index, and speed rating listed for that vehicle. Altering any of these could adversely affect the responsiveness and handling characteristics of the vehicle. Also if the load index is lower than listed by the vehicle manufacturer the replacement tire may not be able to carry the maximum weight of the vehicle.

When installing winter tires (studded or non-studded) on the front axle of any vehicle they must also be installed on the rear axle. Installing two winter tires only on the front axle is very dangerous; possible serious or fatal injuries could occur to you, your passengers or others.

When installing winter tires (studded or non-studded) on rear wheel drive vehicles, it is recommended that they be installed on the front axle as well. This helps the vehicle maintain better steering control and especially braking on snowy, slushy, or icy conditions. Most vehicles today have four wheel anti-lock brakes, and by keeping the traction on both the front and rear axles, the same will help vehicle steering and braking control.

When having a tire repaired the tire must be removed from the rim. Plugging a tire without removing the tire from the rim is not a safe or acceptable repair. The tire must be inspected from the inside for potential damage that cannot be seen from the outside. Tires should only be properly repaired using a combination plug/patch repair that seals the tire’s inner liner on the inside and fills the hole from the outside. If the puncture is not properly repaired with a rubber plug stem, water will get into the tire, potentially causing the steel belts within the tire to rust and possibly cause a tire failure. Tires can only be repaired in the tread area not in the shoulder or sidewall of the tire.