TIRE INFLATION
PROPER INFLATION
Driving on any tire that does not have the correct inflation pressure is dangerous. Recent research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates about 30% of cars and light trucks have at least one tire under-inflated by 8 psi or more (DOT HS 809 317). Under-inflated tires and overloaded vehicles are the leading cause of tire failure. It is extremely difficult to tell just by looking at your tires if they are properly inflated. Purchase an accurate tire gauge and check your tire pressures at least once a month along with their overall condition. Proper inflation pressure for your tires may be found in the vehicle owner’s manual or the vehicle’s tire information placard. If you have changed your tire size, ask the tire dealer for the new recommended inflation pressure. Never exceed the maximum pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. Making sure that your vehicle is operating with properly inflated tires will make you safer on the highways and increase fuel savings.
WHERE TO FIND THE CORRECT OE INFLATION PRESSURE
You will find the original equipment (OE) recommended pressure on a placard or sticker in the driver’s side door jam, glove compartment or near the gas cap. If your vehicle does not have a placard, check the owner’s manual or consult the vehicle manufacturer, tire manufacturer, or your local tire dealer. The tire placard tells you the maximum vehicle load, the cold tire pressure, and the tire size recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Air pressures may be different for front and rear tires. If your vehicle no longer is equipped with the OE size tires, consult your Toyo dealer for proper inflation information.
tire placard
WHEN TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE
Check inflation pressure, including the spare, at least once a month and before every long road trip. Tires should be checked when they are cold (before they have run a mile). Otherwise, your tires will have heated up, increasing the air pressure inside them by several pounds. If you must drive over a mile for air, record each tire’s pressure before you start. At the station, measure each tire’s inflation again and if the pressure has increased, adjust the amount of additional air pressure needed. For example, if cold pressure should be 35PSI, but cold pressure was 28PSI, and current pressure is 33PSI, you should inflate the warm tires to 40PSI. Never “bleed” or reduce the air pressure in a hot tire. Failure to maintain correct inflation pressures may result in rapid wear and uneven tread wear, improper vehicle handling and excessive heat buildup, which may result in tire failure.
Check inflation pressure
HOW DO TIRES LOSE PRESSURE?
Tires naturally lose pressure through the process of permeation or, air passing through the pores of the tire. Changes in outdoor temperature can affect the rate at which tires lose air. This change is more pronounced in hot weather. Generally speaking, a tire will lose one or two pounds of air pressure per month in cool weather and even more in hot weather. Remember, under-inflation is the leading cause of tire failure, so check inflation pressure regularly.
USING YOUR SPARE
Many late-model vehicles are equipped with temporary spare tires and wheels that are different from your regular tires and wheels. It is important to realize that these spares have far more limitations than a typical tire, including speed and recommended driving distance. Some may require higher inflation pressure, or the use of special canisters to inflate the tire. You should familiarize yourself with the spare by reading the owner’s manual and the sidewall of the spare. And remember to check the air pressure of your spare frequently.
OTHER TIPS
Never “bleed” or reduce air pressure when tires are hot. It is normal for pressures to build up as a result of driving.
Make sure all tire valves and extensions are equipped with valve caps with rubber gaskets to keep out dirt and moisture.
Have a new valve stem assembly installed whenever a tire is replaced.
Underinflation or overloading creates excessive heat, and can lead to tire failure, which could result in vehicle damage and/or serious injury or death.
TIRE ROTATIONS
ABOUT TIRE ROTATION
The purpose of regularly rotating tires is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires on a vehicle. Rotation is important because each tire on a car carries a different amount of weight, making them wear at different rates. By rotating them, you basically even out those differences. Follow your vehicle owner’s manual for the appropriate rotation pattern for your vehicle.
Our Limited Warranty recommends rotating your Toyo tires every 3,500 miles or less for high performance (low profile) tires and every 7,500 miles or less for standard passenger and light truck tires. More frequent rotation or a thorough vehicle inspection may be necessary if upon inspection you see signs of uneven wear. If your tires show uneven wear, ask your Toyo Tires dealer to check and correct any misalignment, imbalance or other mechanical problem before rotating the tires. After rotation, adjust individual tire air pressures. See the proper inflation section for details.
POPULAR ROTATION PATTERNS
The following are popular rotation patterns. However, some tires cannot be rotated according to popular patterns. Such tires include uni-directional tires with asymmetric tread designs. Also, some vehicles may have different sized tires mounted on the front and rear axles, and these different sized tires may also have rotation restrictions. Check your owner’s manual or visit your Toyo Tires dealer for recommendations for these special cases.
