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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1994-04-20, Page 16Pumped up To avoid tire damage, check for proper inflation pressure at least once a month and before long trips. The best mehod is to use an accurate air pressure gauge on tires that are cold to the touch. A tire is underinflated if it is four or mroe pounds per square inch below the recommended level, which is usually listed on the tire sidewall or on the placard in the glovebox. Tire inflation will increase or decrease with fluctuations in the outside temperature, so it's a good idea to check pressure more often when the seasons change. Check tires before travel Industry analysts at the Kelly- Springfield Tire Company predict that vehicle owners will travel more than 10,000 miles per vehicle this year. In order to guarantee maximum performance, piece of mind and safety while driving those miles, Kelly-Springfield engineers suggest auto owners make a pre-trip assessment of their vehicles and tires and be alert to the following: • Tires should have the vehicle 'When in doubt see specialist Summer is coming and it would be wise to verify the condition of tires to make sure they will have a good amount of tread and show no signs of uneven wear due to misalignment, imbalance, or other mechanical problem. If there are doubts, have them checked by your local tire specialist. Also keep in mind that all-season tires and all tires on front-wheel drive cars require periodical rotation - every 12,000 km - to achieve a uniform wear of all tires on the vehicle. Front and rear wheels tires wear differently, especially on front-wheel drive vehicles. Rotating the tires insures a longer tire life. Specialists recommend the following rotation patterns: Get expert to do brake work If your car is pushing 30 to 40 thousand miles, you may be push­ ing on a brake pedal that's soft and squishy. You owe it to yourself and the safety of your family to have a qualified technician check over the master cylinder, brake lines and hoses, calipers and wheel cylinders ... plus lining and pads. Car Care Council recommends that, when you need a brake job, you have it done by a qualified mechanic. manufacturer's specified air pressure. • Look for cracks, snags or tears in the bead area, sidewalls or tread grooves of the tire. Also, it's possible to find bubbles or protrusions in a tire's sidewall or tread caused by sliding into curbs. • Make sure tire valves are tightly secured to prevent any air from escaping. • And, check tread wear for any indications of vehicle misalignment easily caused by pot holes. Misalignment can cause lack of traction and premature tire waves. Last, motorists should not be deceived by what they consider harmless “Summer Showers.” Good treads on summer tires are as important for traction on wet roads as the treads on winter tires for traction on snow and frozen conditions. Match 4-wheel drive tires There's only one way to go when replacing tires on a four-wheel- drive vehicle. They should be matched all around. Inconsistency in the tire sizing can lead to extensive - and expensive - damage to the vehicle. When fitting replacement tires to any vehicle equipped with four- wheel-drive, it is recommended that all wheel positions be fitted with tires of the same make, size and types as well as equal tread depth. Failure to do so can cause accelerated power train component wear and eventual breakdown of Pattern for tire rotations these components when the vehicle is operated in four-wheel-drive mode. Mismatched replacement tires can result in non-uniform torque transmission through the differential into the transfer case. Problems that can develop include accelerated wear to transfer case gear train, limited slip axle clutches, transmissions, drive shafts and universal joints. In addition, vehicle handling (directional stability, transient stability and steering characteristics) can be adversely affected. Also possible are imbalances in aligning torque, contact patch slip angles and cornering power ratios. Using oversized tires on a four- wheel-drive vehicle equipped with suspension "lift kits" can result in accelerated power train component wear in either the two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive mode. Further, the handling capabilities of the vehicle in highway driving situations might be diminished under this condition. Consult the owner's manual to determine the policy of the vehicle manufacturer concerning safety and vehicle warranty before tire fit and/or vehicle modification. These patterns apply to all types of tires: all-season, summer or winter alike. However, "Temporary Use Only" spare tires should not be included in any rotation procedure. On the other hand, if the vehicle is equipped with a regular tire as a spare, it can be included in the rotation procedure as follows: insert the spare in the right rear position, and place the tire which would have gone to the right rear position in the trunk as the new spare. Finally, don't forget to check inflation pressure at the same time.’ Regular check-ups and proper tire rotation will help minimize tread wear and maximize the life span of your tires. This way, you will get the best out of good quality tires. HELPING THE WORLD WRITE NOW CODE Self-sufficiency through literacy in the developing world For information, call 1-800-661-2633 your car deserves that (ittCe e?(tra SUNROOF CAR STEREO UNITS Including CD Players • Windshield replacement & repairs • Auto upholstery • Vinyl convertible and boat tops Mobile service at no extra charge APPLE Auto Glass 190 Mitchell Ave. S. 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