The air inside your vehicle’s tyres supports its weight, not the tyres themselves. To get maximum performance and durability from your tyres, maintaining correct air pressure is crucial.

Underinflation is the biggest cause of tyre failure. Air is a gas, expanding when heating and contracting as it cools. So for most of us Autumn and early winter are especially important times for checking tyre pressure-as the ambient temperature falls, tyre pressure goes down.

A good rule of thumb is that for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit temperature change, tyre pressure changes about 1 psi-higher as temperatures rise, lower as they fall.

Here’s the bottom line: a tyre that’s not properly inflated can cause an accident. Underinflated tyres can also cause:

Quicker wear rate, usually on the outer edges
Poor handling
Less miles per gallon of fuel Overinflated tyres can cause:
Very harsh ride
Poor handling
Quicker wear rate, usually over the entire centre of the tyre Run Flats & Emergency Tyres
Regulations permit the legal use of 'run-flat' tyres (provided they are identified as such) in a partially inflated or flat condition, and what are described as temporary use spare tyres. When a temporary use spare tyre is being used, the vehicle speed must not exceed 50mph, and a special high inflation pressure is normally used, otherwise the legal provision which permits their use ceases to apply. The temporary use spare tyre or the wheel to which it is fitted must be of a different colour to the other wheels on the vehicle and a label must be attached to the wheel giving clear information about the precautions to be observed when it is being used.

Checking Tyre Pressures
Check your vehicle’s tyres at least once a month, when the tyres are cold. Use a good quality gauge. Don’t “eyeball check” tyres-radial tyres can look fine even when they’re underinflated. Be sure to look for stones, glass or other objects that have become wedged in the tread-they can work themselves further into the tyre and cause air loss.And don’t forget to check the spare!

Tyre Rotation
Since each tyre supports a different amount of weight, tyres wear at different rates. Rotating your wheels at recommended intervals extends their useful life and achieves more uniform tyre wear.

It’s important to rotate your wheels according to the correct rotation pattern. Front tyres encounter different tasks than the rear tyres. And a front-wheel-drive car’s tyres perform different tasks than those on a rear-wheel-drive car. Your owner’s manual specifies which rotation pattern is right for your vehicle. Your vehicle’s front and rear tyres may also use different pressures-make sure to adjust individual tyre pressure to the recommendation for each wheel position.

Wheel Rust & Dirt
Rust or dirt on a wheel can loosen wheel nuts over time. When you have your wheels rotated, be sure to remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or paper towel, but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt.

Also, remember that rotating your wheels won’t correct wear problems caused by worn mechanical parts or incorrect inflation pressures.

Wheel Alignment & Balance

Scheduled alignment and balancing are not needed, since your vehicle’s wheels were aligned and balanced at the factory. But if you notice unusual tire wear or that your vehicle "pulls" one way or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating on a smooth road, your wheels may be out of balance.

A wheel that is out of balance often affects ride quality and can shorten the life of tyres, bearings, shocks, and other suspension components. A speed-dependent vibration-becoming noticeable around 45 mph and increasing as speed increases-is probably balance-related. As a rule of thumb, a vibration through the steering wheel would indicate a front wheel out of balance, a vibration felt through the drivers seat would indicate a rear wheel out of balance. Have any vibration related problems investigated as soon as possible to prevent premature failure of the components listed above. If you are unsure what your problem is, please call in and see one of our service advisors, we don't charge you for road tests, and it will put your mind at rest

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