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 treadware 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.
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 qualified technician.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number
This begins with the letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards.
The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured, and the
last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the
numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997. The other numbers are marketing codes
used at the manufacturers discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a
tire defect requires a recall.
Maximum Load Rating indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be
carried by the tire.
