:: Why is it necessary to check tire inflation pressure?
:: Should I inspect my tires?
What should I look for?
:: How many
kilometres will I be able to run with my tires?
:: When should I replace my tires?
:: What should I do if I feel a
vibration?
:: Will
spinning the tires damage them?
:: How can I determine the age of a tire?
:: Should I buy used tires?
:: Now that I have fitted my vehicle with good tires, can I
forget about them?
:: What can I do to extend the
life of my tires?
:: Is
wheel alignment important?
::
Why is balancing important?
::
Can I install my tires myself?
:: Should I replace my tires with tires of the same
size?
:: If I buy only two new
tires, where should they be installed?
Why is it necessary to check the tires’
pressure?
A recent study carried out by the Government of Canada and the Rubber
Association of Canada has revealed that 70% of Canadian passenger cars and
light-duty vehicles run on at least one under-inflated or over-inflated tire by
at least 10%, and that 40% of tested vehicles were running on at least one
incorrectly inflated tire by 20%. The consequences are road safety problems, an
increase in fuels costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Your tires can lose up to 2 psi per month in normal use conditions, plus 1
psi for each drop in temperature of 6ºC. Do not rely only on visual inspection:
you could detect with difficulty a lack of tire pressure of 10 psi. For more
information check the section on Tire
Pressure.
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Should I inspect my tires? What should I look
for?
You should perform a visual inspection of the tires on your vehicle at least
once per month to ensure there is no damage or excessive wear of the tread or
sidewall.
Pay attention also to the presence of anything that could rupture the tire:
nails, screws, glass, cuts, cracks, swellings, signs of wear or aging. If you
notice one of these elements or if a tire repeatedly loses air, that’s a sign
that something is wrong. Have the tire checked by your
UNIPNEU Dealer who will help you determine if it’s
better to repair the tire or to replace it altogether.
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How many kilometres will I be able to run with
my tires?
The life of your tires depends on several factors: your driving style, the
type of tire, the climate and geography of the area you live in, etc. Certain
bad habits will surely reduce their life expectancy, such as quick
accelerations, sharp braking and turning, hitting curbs or road defects, driving
on unbalanced wheels or with a distorted alignment, and neglecting to rotate
tires regularly.
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When should I replace my tires?
Don’t wait to jeopardize the safety of your tires. Check regularly for signs
of wear or perform the “red cent test.” See the section on Wear and Rotation for more details.
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What should I do if I feel a vibration?
Vibrations when driving indicate wheels that are not well balanced, faulty
alignment or a mechanical problem with your vehicle. See your UNIPNEU
Dealer immediately so that he might determine the cause of the vibration. Such
vibrations, in addition to representing a handling hazard, may cause damage to
the tires and suspension.
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Will spinning the tires damage them?
Spinning the tires—due to the heat thus generated—can seriously damage your
tires and even cause them to burst. Even if your vehicle is stuck in snow or
mud, or jammed on ice, avoid spinning your tires to free your vehicle. Use
instead an anti-spin device or call a wrecker.
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How can I determine the age of a tire?
The DOT (US Department of Transport) rating on the tire sidewall contains a
lot of information, including the date of manufacture. It also indicates
conformance with the security orders for Transport Canada tires. Check the
section on How to ‘Read’ a Tire.
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Should I buy used tires?
Before buying used tires, remember that a tire can have sustained important
damage that is not apparent. Furthermore, if purchasing second-hand items may
well be suited for certain products, it certainly isn’t the case for tires. It’s
a matter of safety.
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Now that I have fitted my vehicle with good
tires, can I forget about them?
Unlike what we tend to think, it is not sufficient to fit a vehicle with good
tires and then not to care about them any longer. Your tires, like the rest of
the vehicle, require a minimum of maintenance if you want them to last long.
Check the section on Maintenance
and Storage for more information.
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What can I do to extend the life of my tires?
You can extend to the maximum the life expectancy of your tires by giving
them a minimum of maintenance and by adopting safe driving habits:
- Inspect your tires and check the pressure of all your tires (including the
spare wheel) once a month; check the tire each time you hit a sidewalk curb or a
roadway defect. If you notice anything suspicious on a tire, have it checked by
your UNIPNEU Dealer.
- Have your tires rotated every 10,000 km.
- Have the wheel alignment and balance adjusted regularly or if you feel there
is a vibration or notice uneven wear.
- Do not exceed the load rating nor the speed rating specified on the tires’
sidewalls.
- Avoid driving at very high speeds and never spin your wheels, even if your
vehicle is stuck in snow, mud or ice. Accelerate, brake and turn
smoothly—without quick starts, sudden stops or screeching the tires.
- Clean your tires each time you wash your car; store them properly (check the
section on Maintenance and
Storage).
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Is wheel alignment important?
It’s an element that has a direct impact on the life expectancy and safety of
tires. When wheel alignment is faulty, steering responds badly; it is difficult
to remain straight on the road and it is demanding on the suspension system.
Wheel alignment is a job for a qualified mechanic. Using specialized equipment,
he will adjust the angle of the wheels to ensure they are parallel between them
and perpendicular to the ground. Check the section on Wheel Alignment and Balancing for more
information.
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Why is balancing important?
Improperly balanced wheels wobble and produce vibrations that can shake the
vehicle to the extent that parts come loose and get damaged. An out-of-balance
tire-wheel assembly will cause wobbling of the wheels, or shimmying, vibrations
in the seat, floor or steering column; it will also cause premature wear of the
tires, increase fuel consumption and directly affect the vehicle’s handling. To
correct an unbalance, the qualified mechanic will add weights inside or outside
the wheel. Check the section on Wheel Alignment and Balancing for more
information.
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Can I install my tires myself?
Tire mounting should be left to a professional using specialized equipment.
By installing them yourself, you risk damaging the tires and rims and even
getting injured if a tire bursts. For the sake of your safety and the safety of
your passengers, see instead your UNIPNEU Dealer.
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Should I replace my tires with tires of the same
size?
Preferably, yes. If you absolutely must combine different tires, there are a
few rules to follow. To find them out, check the section on Combining Tires.
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If I buy only two new tires, where should they
be installed?
For your safety, new tires should always be preferred to used tires. Whether
your car is equipped with front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, new tires
should always be installed on the back axle. If you buy only one new tire,
install it on the back axle with the one among the remaining three that has the
deepest tread. It is not recommended to combine radial and non-radial
tires—especially not on the same axle: Always install the radials on the back
axle. Check the section on Combining
Tires.
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