Safety Tips

Proper Inflation

Maintaining proper air pressure is the single most important thing drivers can do for their tires. In the space of just one month, a tire can lose 10 pounds of air pressure. It is important to check your air pressure regularly, to make sure your tires are neither under- nor over-inflated.

Under-inflation is the worst enemy your tire can have. It causes increased treadwear on the outside edges (or shoulders) of the tire. It also generates excessive heat, which reduces tire durability. Finally, it reduces your fuel economy by increasing rolling resistance - soft tires make your vehicle work harder.

Over-inflation is also detrimental to the tire. Too much air pressure causes the centre of the tread to bear the majority of the car's weight, which leads to faster deterioration and uneven wear. Any kind of uneven wear will shorten the lifespan of your tires.

To find the proper air pressure for your tires, look in the vehicle owner's manual, on the driver's side door jamb or in the glove box. And if you buy new tires, be sure to learn the correct pressure from your dealer. Check your pressure at least once a month, and use a good quality air gauge. Or, stop by your local Goodyear dealer and have your air pressure checked and corrected for free.

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Balance & Alignment

Having your tires balanced and your vehicle properly aligned is important not only to the longevity of the tire, but to the safety of the driver and to the performance of the car.

Unbalanced tires cause road vibration, which leads to driver fatigue, premature tire wear (also known as cupping or dipping) and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. tires should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after a repair. They should be rebalanced at the first sign of a vibration or shimmy, and should be balanced at least once a year, regardless.

A vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when 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 can indicate misalignment. The cost of keeping your tires balanced and your vehicle properly aligned will more than pay for itself in tire mileage, performance and comfort. Your local Goodyear dealer will be happy to make an appointment for you.

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Regular Rotation

The weight of a vehicle is not evenly distributed to all four tires. Therefore, regular rotation is necessary to maintain even treadwear and get the most out of your tires.

There are several methods of rotation. For all-season tires and most vehicles on the road, tires from the rear axle are moved to the drive axle and crossed to opposite sides of the vehicle. The tires from the front axle are moved to the rear, but remain on the same sides. This is known as the 'modified X' pattern.

Tires with 'directional design, such as Goodyear's Eagle F1, are rotated differently. In this case, all tires remain on the same side of the vehicle and are rotated straight forward and straight back.

For four-wheel drive vehicles, it is recommended to switch all four tires, both from side-to-side and in axle position.

Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be adjusted every 10,000 km's. Four-wheel drive vehicles may require rotation as soon as every 4,000 km’s. The first rotation of your tires is the most important, and remember to adjust inflation pressures to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations after every rotation. Your local Goodyear dealer can schedule a rotation for your vehicle at any time.

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Visual Inspection

Often, discovering potential problems for your tires is as simple as giving them a good visual once-over. The next time you check your air pressure, scan your treads for any sharp objects that may have punctured your tires. Even if the puncture is not deep enough to flatten the tires immediately, the cracking and pitting caused by smaller punctures can eventually worsen and lead to problems down the road.

Check the wear patterns on your treads as well. Excessive shoulder wear can indicate under-inflation, while wear to the centre of the tread can mean over-inflation.

Many tires have tread wear indicator bars moulded into the tread. When the tread is worn down to where you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread, it is time to replace your tire.

At any sign of potential problems, or if you feel you are ready for new tires, be sure to take your vehicle to the Goodyear retailer nearest you.

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Repairs

It is crucial to know when it is okay to have a tire repaired and when a tire should be replaced. If a tire loses its air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure it is not damaged. tires that are run even a short distance while flat are often damaged beyond repair.

Most punctures, nail holes or cuts up to 1/4 inch can be repaired by trained technicians as long as the damage is confined to the tread. DO NOT 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 of tread depth.

Most tire repairs should be handled by trained professionals. Quick-fix flat tire remedies are okay to get you to safety. But for the most part, your best bet is to keep a good spare tire in your trunk. Be sure that the spare is inflated to the proper pressure and looks to be in good shape.

When any problems with your tires occur, head to the nearest Goodyear retailer immediately for expert service from our trained technicians

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