3-7
SECTION 3 –
RECOMMENDATIONS
Tips on Wheel Torquing
Always use a quality, calibrated ratchet-style
torque wrench to torque a wheel. Torque each lug
nut to the specified torque.
•
Allow the wheels to cool to room temperature
before loosening or tightening the lug nuts.
•
Tighten the lug nuts in the proper sequence.
Tightening in a random pattern can cause
warping.
•
Properly support the tire and wheel assembly
when torquing.
•
Use the correct size socket otherwise damage
can occur to the lug nuts.
•
While tightening the lug nuts carefully rock
the wheel to make sure each lug nut is
centered properly.
•
Always final torque all of the wheels before
completely lowering the vehicle.
•
DO NOT try to get the full torque at one time.
Work gradually up to the final torque to avoid
warping or cracking.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) has published a
brochure (DOT HS 809 361) that discusses all
aspects of tire safety, as required by CFR 575.6.
This brochure is reproduced in part below. It can
be obtained and downloaded from NHTSA free
of charge from the following web site:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/
TireSafety/ridesonit/tires_index.html
Studies of tire safety show that maintaining
proper tire pressure, observing tire and vehicle
load limits (not carrying more weight in your
vehicle than your tires or vehicle can safely
handle), avoiding road hazards, and inspecting
tires for cuts, slashes, and other irregularities are
the most important things you can do to avoid tire
failure, such as tread separation or blowout and
flat tires. These actions, along with other care and
maintenance activities,
can also:
•
improve vehicle handling
•
help protect you and others from avoidable,
breakdowns and accidents
•
improve fuel economy
•
increase the life of your tires
This manual presents an overview of tire
safety, including information on the following
topics:
•
Basic tire maintenance
•
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System
•
Fundamental characteristics of tires
•
Tire safety tips
Use this information to make tire safety a
regular part of your vehicle maintenance routine.
Recognize that the time you spend is minimal
compared with the inconvenience and safety
consequences of a flat tire or other tire failure.
Safety First–Basic Tire Maintenance
Properly maintained tires improve the
steering, stopping, traction, and load-carrying
capability of your vehicle. Underinflated tires
and overloaded vehicles are a major cause of tire
failure. Therefore, as mentioned above, to avoid
flat tires and other types of tire failure, you
should maintain proper tire pressure, observe tire
and vehicle load limits, avoid road hazards, and
regularly inspect your tires.
Finding Your Vehicle’s Recommended
Tire Pressure and Load Limits
Tire information placards and vehicle
certification labels contain information on tires
and load limits. These labels indicate the vehicle
manufacturer’s information including:
•
recommended tire size
•
recommended tire inflation pressure
•
Vehicle Capacity Weight (VCW–the
maximum occupant and cargo weight a
vehicle is designed to carry)
•
Front and rear Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR– the maximum weight the axle
systems are designed to carry)
Both placards and certification labels are
permanently attached to the trailer on the forward
half of the left side, and are easily readable from
outside the vehicle without moving any part of
the vehicle.
