23
correct tire pressure. These “missing” pounds of
pressure are what you will need to add.
5.
At a service station, add the missing pounds of air
pressure to each tire that is under infl ated.
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 under infl ated, fi ll it to the recommended cold
infl ation pressure indicated on your vehicle’s tire
information placard or certifi cation label. While your
tire may still be slightly under infl ated 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 infl ation pressure
than to drive with a signifi cantly under infl ated tire.
Since this is a temporary fi x, don’t forget to recheck
and adjust the tire’s pressure when you can obtain a
cold reading.
3.5.6 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 fi nd this
information. If you have any doubt about the correct
size to choose, consult with the tire dealer.
3.5.7 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 2/32 of an inch. Tires
have built-in tread wear 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 facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s
head, you are ready for new tires.
3.5.8 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 positioning 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. These
adjustments require special equipment and should be
performed by a qualifi ed technician.
3.5.9 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.
3.5.10 Tire Fundamentals
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall of all
tires. This information identifi es and describes the
fundamental characteristics of the tire and also
provides a tire identifi cation number for safety
standard certifi cation and in case of a recall.
3.5.10.1 Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires
P:
The “P” indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles.
Next number:
This three-digit number gives the width
in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the number, the wider the
tire.
Next number:
This two-digit number, known as the
aspect ratio, gives the tire’s ratio of height to width.
Tire Safety
Summary of Contents for Enclosed Trailer
Page 14: ...14 Safety...
Page 35: ...35 Coupling To Tow Vehicle...
Page 51: ...51...
Page 52: ...52...