ASL-700 OPERATOR 02-03-2022
Bruno Independent Living Aids
14
NHTSA TIRE INFORMATION (continued)
The recommended tire inflation pressure that vehicle manufacturers provide reflects the proper psi when
a tire is cold. The term cold does not relate to the outside temperature. Rather, a cold tire is one that has
not been driven on for at least three hours. When you drive, your tires get warmer, causing the air pres-
sure within them to increase. Therefore, to get an accurate tire pressure reading, you must measure tire
pressure when the tires are cold or compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires.
Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure
• Step 1: Locate the recommended tire pressure on the vehicle’s tire information placard, certification la
-
bel, or in the owner’s manual.
• Step 2: Record the tire pressure of all tires.
• Step 3: If the tire pressure is too high in any of the tires, slowly release air by gently pressing on the tire
valve stem with the edge of your tire gauge until you get to the correct pressure.
• Step 4: If the tire pressure is too low, note the difference between the measured tire pressure and the
correct tire pressure. These “missing” pounds of pressure are what you will need to add.
• Step 5: At a service station, add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that is underinflated.
• Step 6: Check all the tires to make sure they have the same air pressure (except in cases in which the
front and rear tires are supposed to have different amounts of pressure).
If you have been driving your vehicle and think that a tire is underinflated, fill it to the recommended
cold inflation pressure indicated on your vehicle’s tire information placard or certification label. While your
tire may still be slightly underinflated due to the extra pounds of pressure in the warm tire, it is safer to
drive with air pressure that is slightly lower than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation
pressure than to drive with a significantly underinflated tire. Since this is a temporary fix, don’t forget to
recheck and adjust the tire’s pressure when you can obtain a cold reading.
Tire Size
To maintain tire safety, purchase new tires that are the same size as the vehicle’s original tires or another
size recommended by the manufacturer. Look at the tire information placard, the owner’s manual, or the
sidewall of the tire you are replacing to find this information. If you have any doubt about the correct size
to choose, consult with the tire dealer.
Tire Tread
The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction that prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding,
especially when the road is wet or icy. In general, tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread
is worn down to 1/16 of an inch. Tires have built-in treadwear indicators that let you know when it is time
to replace your tires. These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread
grooves. When they appear “even” with the outside of the tread, it is time to replace your tires. Another
method for checking tread depth is to place a penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down and fac-
ing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you are ready for new tires.
Tire Balance and Wheel Alignment
To avoid vibration or shaking of the vehicle when a tire rotates, the
tire must be properly balanced. This balance is achieved by posi-
tioning weights on the wheel to counterbalance heavy spots on the
wheel-and-tire assembly. A wheel alignment adjusts the angles of the
wheels so that they are positioned correctly relative to the vehicle’s
frame. This adjustment maximizes the life of your tires and prevents
your car from veering to the right or left when driving on a straight,
level road. These adjustments require special equipment and should
be performed by a qualified technician.
Tire Rotation
Rotating tires from front to back and from side to side can reduce irregular wear (for vehicles that have
tires that are all the same size). Look in your owner’s manual for information on how frequently the tires
on your vehicle should be rotated and the best pattern for rotation.
A Tire Rotation Example
For maximum mileage, rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. Follow correct rotation patterns.
Tire Repair
The proper repair of a punctured tire requires a plug for the hole and a patch for the area inside the tire
that surrounds the puncture hole. Punctures through the tread can be repaired if they are not too large,
but punctures to the sidewall should not be repaired. Tires must be removed from the rim to be properly
inspected before being plugged and patched.
DOT HS 809 361
Oct
ober 2001
