Technical Information

Air Loss

Common air loss problems and solutions.

1. How can I check my tyres for wear problems?

By learning to read early warning signs, you can prevent many wear problems that shorten tyre life by thousands of miles. The most common problems to watch out for are listed in: 'Checking tread' in the section 'Maintaining a tyre.'

2. How much air should I put in my tyres?

Proper inflation is the single most important part of tyre care. The inflation pressure on the side of the tyre is the MAXIMUM operating pressure. It is not necessarily the right inflation for your vehicle. Always use the inflation recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can find it in your owner's manual, posted on the edge of the driver's door, on a door post or on the inside of the glove box door. Always check inflation when tyres are COLD: when the vehicle has been driven less than a mile, or one hour or more after driving. Use a good quality tyre gauge. Note: It's natural for radial tyres to have a slight bulge in the sidewall at their proper inflation pressure. Check or adjust inflation every few weeks, before any long trip or if travelling with a heavy load. And don't forget to check the spare.

3. When is it safe to repair a flat tyre?

If a tyre loses all or most of its air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure it's not damaged. Tyres that are run even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch -- confined to the tread -- may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. Don't repair tyres with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, or any sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tyres which are worn below 1/16 inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tyre is always ready to do the job. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it is in good shape. If your car is equipped with one of the several types of temporary spares, be sure to check the spare tyre's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations.

Balancing

Balancing, alignment and related issues.

1. Isn't it easy to mount a tyre on a wheel? Can't I do it myself?

Never try to mount your own tyres. Tyre mounting is a job for people who have the proper equipment and experience. If you try to do it yourself, you run the risk of serious injury to yourself as well as possible damage to the tyre and rim.

2. Should I rotate my tyres?

"Regular and proper tyre rotation promotes more uniform wear for all of the tyres on a vehicle. All season tyres should be rotated in a ""modified X"" pattern, meaning only the tyres being moved to the drive axle are crossed to the opposite side of the vehicle. The remaining two tyres are moved from the drive axle to the free rolling axle, remaining on the same side of the vehicle. This method of rotation helps promote a more even and uniform treadwear pattern for all four tyres. The only exception to this would be the use of ""directional"" tread design tyres such as our FK451 or some of our FK452 high performance tyres. These tyres would remain on the same side of the vehicle and be rotated straight forward and straight back. If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, we recommend crossing both pairs of tyres to their new axle positions. We recommend tyre rotation at least every 6,000 miles. Four-wheel drive vehicles may require rotation even sooner such as every 4,000 miles. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tyres should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. The first rotation is the most important. When tyres are rotated, inflation pressures must be adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Uneven tyre wear may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems.