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Step 5: At a service station, add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that is underinflated.
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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.
1.5.5. 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.
1.5.6. 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 facing you. If you
can see the top of Lincoln's head, you are ready for new tires.
1.5.7. 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.
1.5.8. 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.
1.5.9. Tire Fundamentals
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides a tire
identification number for safety standard certification and in case of a recall.
1.5.9.1. Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires
Please refer to the diagram below.
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.
