FAQ TIRE CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Never try to mount your own tires. Tire mounting is a job for the people who have the proper equipment and experience. If you try to do it yourself, you run the risk of serious injury to yourself as well as possible damage to the tire and rim.

We recommend using a soft brush and mild soap to clean tires. Tire dressings that contain petroleum products or alcohol can accelerate the aging process and contribute to cracking.
 

Uniroyal does not endorse the use of after-market conditioners. The effects of such products are unknown as it would be impossible to test all of the products on the market today.

Special treatment is not required for your new tires. However, drive carefully while you get accustomed to them. You may feel a difference when accelerating, braking, cornering or possibly driving in wet conditions.

We cannot test all products being marketed today, and do not certify or endorse any of these after-market products for efficiency or compatibility.

Because some of these products may degrade the inner liner of tires, caution should be taken. The long term effect of these products is unknown (chemical reaction when exposed to pressure, temperature and time).

Because some of these products may be flammable, we strongly urge you to advise a tire dealer of the use of these products before having the tire and wheel serviced. Failure to do so could lead to serious injury or death.

Please refer to the warnings and instructions provided by the manufacturers of these products regarding their use.

We neither approve nor disapprove the use of these products.

To obtain even and maximum tire wear, it may be necessary to rotate your tires. (Please note: Tires with a mileage warranty, tire rotation is required to maintain its warranty status). Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for instructions on tire rotation.

Some tires have arrows on the sidewall showing the direction in which the tire should turn. When rotating this type of tire, care must be taken to maintain the proper turning direction as indicated by the arrows.

Unless otherwise recommended by the vehicle manufacturer's owner's manual, tires should be inspected and rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles or rotated at the first sign of uneven or irregular wear. Any of the rotation patters shown can be used.

Although bar code label removal is not necessary for the safe and efficient use of the tire, it may be necessary to remove the label for aesthetic reasons. The 16mm by 40mm bar code label on the lower sidewall may be difficult to remove from some tires. Please advise your tire dealer that label removal may be facilitated by applying with a cotton swab a small amount of paint thinner (mineral spirits) to the label on a MOUNTED INFLATED tire. Then, carefully pry under the center of the label with a flat-bladed screw driver to remove it. Your dealer will do this slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the tire. After the label has been removed by this procedure, the tire should be carefully inspected.

We are currently perfecting a more readily removable bar code label. In the meantime, the above procedure provides an effective method of removing the occasional "stubborn" bar code label from the tires when necessary.

We do not offer a written mileage warranty on any tires supplied as original equipment. Due to the variety of styles, construction features, tread compounds, vehicle applications, geographical conditions and driving habits, it is difficult to provide a specific mileage expectancy.

However, any tire wear concern should always be presented to your local authorized dealers for further evaluation.

Many of our authorized retailers offer specific mileage warranties on several lines of tires sold as replacement tires, including some tires that are used as original equipment. These mileage warranties are administered based on the retail outlets verification of proper tire maintenance having been performed.

Tires should be stored in a cool place away from direct sunlight, sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes and electric generators. Exposure to these elements during prolonged periods of time will exhaust the tire's oxidation and weathering agents within the rubber compounds and result in cracking. Be sure that surfaces on which tires are stored are clean and free from grease, gasoline or other substances that could deteriorate the rubber.

For mounted tires inflate at, but no higher than, the recommended air pressure. Store vehicle on blocks to remove load from the tires.

If a tire loses all or most of its air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure it's not damaged. Tires that are run even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch -- confined to the tread -- may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. Don't repair tires with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, or any sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tires which are worn below 1/16 inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tire is always ready to do the job. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it is in good shape. If your car is equipped with one of the several types of temporary spares, be sure to check the spare tire's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations. See your dealer for expert tire repair.

New tires have to be driven a few hundred miles on dry roads to rid the tread of parting agents and antioxidants applied during production. Not until the tread has been slightly roughened will the tire be able to make its true gripping power felt.

Tread wear indicators ("wear bars") are located at the base of the main grooves and are equally spaced around the tire. The tread wear indicators, which look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread, will appear on the tire when that point of wear is reached. When you see these wear bars, the tire is worn out and it's time to replace the tire. Always remove tires from service when they reach a remaining tread depth of two thirty-seconds of an inch (2/32"). Another easy way to check is to do the penny test. Take a penny and place it with Lincoln's head down in the tread groove. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, then it is time to replace your tires.

Never choose a smaller size than those that came with the car. Tires should always be replaced with the same size designation -- or approved options — as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or authorized dealer.

Proper balancing is critical for optimal vehicle performance, especially at today's higher highway speeds. When tire and wheel assemblies are unbalanced, a vibration can result from wheel and assembly shimmy (shaking from side to side) or wheel assembly tramp (tire and wheel hopping up and down). Therefore, it is important that these assemblies are in both static and dynamic balance.

When installing a different size than the original equipment tire, all vehicle manufacturer specifications must be maintained. The replacement tire should be inflated to provide the same load capability of the original tire size at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Please contact one of our Consumer Care agents to determine the correct pressure for the optional tire size that you are installing or visit your local tire retailer for assistance.

A vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when the tire and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and precise steering. Uneven front or rear tire wear, or changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response (i.e. pulling to one side) can indicate misalignment. Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. Your vehicle many need a "front-end" alignment or a "four-wheel" alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The moderate cost of having your vehicle aligned can more than pay for itself in tire mileage, performance and comfort.

The vehicle manufacturer selects the size and type of tires for their vehicles. They perform the necessary testing to establish the vehicles’ optimized operating tire inflation pressures which can be found on the vehicle placard (located on the inside of the driver's door) and in the vehicle owners’ manual.

If the tires on your vehicle are the same size as the original equipment tire, inflate them to the pressures indicated on the placard.

If the size of the tires is different than the size indicated on the placard, please contact us via phone or email for a pressure recommendation. We will need the following information from the tire and wheel placard:

– the original equipment tire size
– the vehicle manufacturer's inflation pressure.

While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.

Lower inflation pressures for improved flotation are permitted ONLY if the tire maintains adequate load-carrying capacity at the lower pressure. 20 psi is the minimum recommended pressure for a passenger or light truck tire. Pressures lower than 20 psi may be used off the road when speeds are less than 15 MPH and when the tire has adequate load-carrying capacity at the lower pressure.

The best recommendation for highway use is to follow the inflation pressure specified by the vehicle manufacturer which can be found in the owner’s manual or on the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door.

When installing a different size than the original equipment tire, the replacement tire should be inflated to provide the same load capability of the original tire size at the manufacturer’s recommended pressure.

Nitrogen is an inert gas. It is simply dry air with the oxygen removed (air contains nearly 79% Nitrogen). The physical properties of nitrogen reduce the pressure loss due to the natural permeability of the materials of the tire. Unfortunately, there are other possible sources of leaks (tire/rim interface, valve, valve/rim interface and the wheel) which prevent the guarantee of pressure maintenance for individuals using air or nitrogen inflation. Tires manufactured by Uniroyal are designed to deliver their expected performance when inflated with air or nitrogen, as long as, the user respects the pressures recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle's placard or by the tire manufacturer. Whether they are inflated with air or nitrogen, regular pressure maintenance remains critical because under-inflated tires lead to:

- a reduction in road holding
- a reduction in wet traction capability
- an increased sensitivity to road hazzards
- a reduction in treadlife
- an increase in fuel consumption
- a reduction in tire life due to excessive heat from over deflection

In addition to performing regular maintenance, you must also keep an eye out for potential problems that might affect your tires. Regular inspections can help you prevent tire trouble, and keep you rolling safely down the road.
When inspecting your tires, look for:

Uneven tread wear. This can include more wear on one tread edge than the other, a rippled pattern of high and low wear, or exposed steel wire. Uneven wear can be caused by problems such as underinflation, misalignment and improper balancing.

Shallow tread. Bald tires tend to skid and slide on the pavement, and are more likely to be damaged by potholes and other road hazards. The tread on your tire should be at least 1/16 of an inch deep. If it isn’t, the tire must be replaced. To help you see tread problems, tires have built-in “tread wear indicators.” These are narrow bars of smooth rubber that run across the tread: When the tread is even with the bars, it is worn down to the minimum level and must be replaced immediately.

You can also perform a simple test using a US penny. Put the edge of the coin into the tread, with Lincoln going in head first. If the top of Lincoln’s head is covered by tread, that’s good. If the top of his head is entirely visible, it’s time to replace the tire.

Air pressure in tires, including the spare, should be checked at least monthly and always before extended driving. Tires should be checked when they are cold (at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and before it is driven more than one mile or two kilometers). Do not reduce pressure when tires are hot; use an accurate air pressure gauge to check pressure and maintain it at the level recommended on the vehicle tire vehicle placard or in the vehicle owner’s manual. Under-inflation produces extreme flexing of the tire and builds up heat to the point that tire failure may occur. Over- or under-inflation may adversely affect vehicle handling. Cold tire pressures should never be higher than the limit molded on the sidewall.

While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear limit.

For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer’s tire replacement recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).

The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT code on the tire which begins with DOT and ends with the week and year of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with “2204” indicates a tire made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004.

Worn tires should be replaced by trained personnel when 2/32nds of an inch of tread depth remains, as indicated by tread wear indicators molded into the tread grooves. Use of worn out tires [less than 2/32nds inch (1.6 mm) remaining of tire tread depth] increases the probability of tire failure, and in wet conditions can cause the tire to lose traction suddenly. In most states, it is illegal to drive with less than 2/32nds of an inch of remaining tread depth.

For continued optimized vehicle performance, it is recommended that all tires be replaced at the same time.

If only two tires are being replaced, the two newer tires should be installed on the rear axle except if replacing them with lower speed ratied tires.

The new tires with deeper tread will provide better wet grip and evacuate water more effectively—which helps delay the onset of hydroplaning. Deeper tread tires on the rear axle will help avoid oversteer and a loss of vehicle stability on wet surfaces.

The tire size and tread design that was originally equipped on your vehicle may be used on other vehicles, some of which being heavier than others, therefore requiring higher air pressure for additional load carrying capacity.

The maximum pressure on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum pressure for the tire. The manufacturer of the vehicle has determined the appropriate air pressure for the application based on vehicle weight, to provide the best ride, tread wear, performance, etc. For applications such as towing, pulling, hauling, etc., air pressure should be increased accordingly.