three (3) hours. As you drive, your tires get warmer caus-
ing the air pressure within the tire to increase. Therefore,
you cannot get an accurate measurement of tire pres-
sure unless the tire is cold.
Checking Tire Pressure
Because tires are designed to be used on more than one
type of vehicle, tire manufacturers list the ‘maximum per-
missible inflation pressure’ on the sidewall. The number
is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be
put in the tire under normal driving conditions.
NOTE:
It is important to check your vehicle’s tire pressure at
least once a month for the following reasons:
•
Most tires naturally lose air pressure over time.
•
Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pot-
hole or strike the curb when parking.
•
With radial tires, it is usually not possible to deter-
mine under inflation by visual inspection. For your
convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to
keep in your vehicle.
Tire Safety Tips
NOTE:
Preventing Tire Damage
•
Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other
object in the road.
•
Do not run over foreign objects in the roadway, and
try not to strike the curb when parking.
W ARNING
Tire Safety Checklist
•
Check tire pressure regularly (at least once a
month), including the spare.
•
Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the
tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs
of wear or trauma.
•
Remove bits of glass and any other foreign
objects wedged in the tread.
•
Make sure your tire valves have valve caps.
•
Check tire pressure before going on a long
trip.
•
Do not overload your vehicle. Check the tire
information placard for the maximum recom-
mended load for the vehicle.
•
If you are towing a trailer, remember that some
of the weight of the loaded trailer is trans-
ferred to the towing vehicle.
W ARNING
Tire Tips
•
Make sure all of the lug nuts are secure. Use a
torque wrench. Do not guess.
•
Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the
tread, for cracks, for foreign objects or for
other signs of wear or trauma.
•
If you are towing a trailer, remember that some
of the weight of the loaded trailer is trans-
ferred to the towing vehicle.
•
Trailers should have the wheel bearings
repacked after being in storage for long peri-
ods of time.
Tighten Each Lug Nut In The Order
Shown
1
4
5
2
3
NOTE:
Start all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross threading.
Wheel nut torque requirements vary depending on the
size and manufacturer of the wheel. Always use the
wheel manufacturer’s recommendation but do not
exceed 120 ft/lbs. on 1/2 inch studs. Unless otherwise
specified by the wheel manufacturer, use a final torque of
85-95 ft/lbs.
NOTE:
It is recommended that wheel bearings be repacked
yearly.
W ARNING
Never exceed the wheel manufacturer’s recom-
mendations.
IDENTIFICATION AND SAFETY
16
