Tyre Maintenance

Check Your Tyre Inflation
Proper tyre inflation is essential for safe driving and long tyre life. It's wise to check your tyres' air pressure at least once a month with an accurate tyre pressure gauge. Be sure to check pressure while your tyres are cold and have not been used recently. Even driving a mile will cause your tyre pressure to increase and give you an inaccurate reading.
Should you experience continuous loss of inflation pressure, it could be an indication of a possible tyre or wheel assembly problem. Consult your tyre professional immediately if you encounter this situation.

Check Your Tyre Tread
Another way is to look at the tread wear indicator bar that's molded into your tyres. The bars are located at the bottoms of the tread grooves in several locations around the tyre. When a tyre is so worn that these bars become visibly flush with the adjacent tread ribs, it's time to replace the tyre.

It is suggested that you check your tyre tread using either method every 4 800Km.

Know What Certain Wear Patterns Mean
As tyres wear, sometimes wear patterns emerge that can indicate problems with your vehicle or tyres. If you see any of these patterns, have your tyres checked by a professional Goodyear Retailer. Here are some wear patterns to watch for.

Wear on both edges: UNDERINFLATION

Underinflation of a tyre reduces its treadlife by increasing the tread wear on its outside edges, or shoulders. It also generates excessive heat which reduces tyre toughness. Finally, it reduces fuel economy through increased rolling resistance because soft tyres make your vehicle work harder. Abnormal tyre wear may also be caused by misalignment or mechanical problems.

Wear in center: OVERINFLATION

When a tyre is overinflated, the center of the tread bears most of the load and wears out faster than the outside edges. Uneven wear reduces the useful life of a tyre. It could also be the result of misalignment or mechanical problems.

Cups or dips in the tread: WORN PARTS

Cupping (also called dipping) is most common on front tyres, although rear tyres can cup as well. It may be a sign that wheels are out of balance or that suspension or steering system parts are worn out.

Sawtooth edges: MISALIGNMENT

If the edges of your tyre tread take on a sawtooth or feathered appearance, it's because of erratic scrubbing against the road. The solution is an alignment correction.


Tyre Balancing
If your tyres are unbalanced, you'll notice vibration. This can lead to driver fatigue, premature or irregular tyre wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Your tyres should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Check your tyre balance at the first sign of vibration or shimmy.

Vehicle Alignment
Your vehicle is properly aligned when all of its suspension and steering components are working smoothly and when its tyre and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. If you notice uneven tread wear, it could be due to a misalignment and your vehicle should be serviced by a professional.

Tyre Rotation
While many people are knowledgeable enough to rotate their own tyres, the procedure is especially quick and easy for a professional. Your vehicle's owner's manual will specify the proper rotation pattern and schedule for your vehicle. If no specific schedule is indicated, a good rule of thumb is to rotate your tyres every 9 600 to 12 800 Kms.

Tyre Repair
Tyre repairs should be made by a trained tyre professional. Proper repair procedure includes dismounting the tyre from the wheel. This allows for thorough inspection of the tyre for damage, as well as the use of a patch and plug to repair any punctures that fall within the guidelines for repair.

Link