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Tire Safety Tips:
Proper tire care is simple and easy. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) recommends getting in the habit of taking five minutes every month to check all your tires, including the spare.
Be Tire Smart, Play Your PART....
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Pressure
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Its important to have the proper inflation pressure in your tires, as under inflation can lead to tire failure. Under inflation or overloading creates excessive stress and heat, and can lead to tire failure. This could result in vehicle damage and/or serious injury or death. An over inflated tire can cause uneven wear in the center of the tread. Over inflation also can make the tire more susceptible to road hazard damage and pose vehicle handling issues.
So it is very important that you check your tire pressure regularly, even your spare. The correct amount of inflation for your tires should be specified by vehicle manufacturer and is shown either on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or your fuel tank door.
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Alignment
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Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid treadwear and should be corrected by a tire dealer. Front wheel drive vehicles, and independent rear suspension, require alignment of all four wheels.
Have your alignment checked periodically as specified by the vehicle owner's manual or if your car starts to "pull." Also have your tire balance checked periodically because an unbalanced tire and wheel assembly may result in irregular wear or vibration.
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Rotation
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Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating your tires. Consult your vehicle owner's manual, the tire manufacturer or your tire dealer for the correct rotational pattern for your vehicle. If no rotation period is specified,tires should be rotated approximately every 5,000- 8,000 miles.
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Tread
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Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch.Traction, particularly in bad weather, and resistance to hydroplaning is reduced as tires wear, creating a greater chance of tire failure or accidents.
You should measure and inspect your tread periodically. You should also visually check your tires for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also check for signs of damage.
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If you think you may have a tire problem or are unsure of the condition of your tires, consult your local Tire Warehouse as soon as possible.
Tire Care FACTS
~ 27% of passenger cars and 32% of pickup trucks, SUV's and minivans have at least one significant under inflated tire.*
~ 9% of tires on the road are bald.*
~ A tire can lose as much as 50% of its inflation pressure and not appear to be flat.
~ Inflation pressure in a tire goes up (in warmer weather) or down (in cold weather) 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change.
*Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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