Kuma Tire and Wheel - Tire Care Tips

Tires

Kuma Tire & Wheel
6589 Magnolia Ave.
Riverside, CA  92506
Telephone:  (951) 684–1852
Fax:  (951) 684–7035


Hours of Operation
Monday–Friday 8:00–5:00
Saturday 8:30–3:00
Sunday Closed
  1. Tires can lose one pound per square inch (psi) per month under normal conditions. Additionally, tires can lose 1 psi for every 10º F temperature drop. Look for the manufacturer's recommended air pressure listed on the sticker of your vehicle's door jamb or owner's manual.
  2. The simplest way to check for wear is to do the penny test. Place a penny in the tire tread with the top of Lincoln's head facing towards the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, the treads are worn and need replacing. The legal limit for tire tread is >2/32”.
  3. Always keep the vehicle manufacturer's recommended air pressure in all your tires, including your spare. This is an important requirement for tire safety and mileage. Low air pressure will decrease the life of the tire by 25% and decrease gas mileage by 5%.
  4. Check air pressure monthly and routinely (including your spare).
  5. Check the tire's load carrying capacity. If you're carrying extra weight, under-inflation can create an overload on your tires. Under-inflation may also damage the tire leading to tire failure, adversely affect vehicle handling, reduce tire life, and increase fuel consumption.
  6. Much of what you need to know about a tire can be found on its sidewall. Each letter and number of the alphanumeric code found on the sides of any tire conveys important information, like whether a particular tire will be compatible with your vehicle. Some size designations are preceded by a letter indicating the type of service for which the tire is intended to be used.
  7. Properly balanced tires and wheels turn with all their weight distributed equally. Unbalanced tires can result in a vehicle shaking from side to side and hopping up and down.
  8. If you get stuck in mud or snow, don't spin your tires to get out. Spinning, even for a few seconds, can build up heat and damage your tires.
  9. Purchase an accurate pressure gauge as it's impossible to tell how much air is in the tire by looking at it..
  10. When purchasing a tire: buy the right size; consider factors such as load-carrying capacity of the tire as well as traction, tread wear and temperature grades; there is a difference between the lowest price and the best value, don't compromise cost for quality; after purchasing a tire, be sure to fill out and mail the DOT tire registration card so you can be notified of any product updates.
  11. Check alignment if any irregular wear develops. Regular alignment check-ups are recommended twice a year.
  12. Tires more than three years of age, inspect for signs of dry rot or weather damage.
  13. If your wheels come equipped with locks, make sure you know its location at all times.
  14. If you accidently run over glass, rocks or curbs, check the tire for external damage. If you suspect you damaged the tire, but can't see it, have the tire demounted and inspected for damage by a trained professional.
  15. Use valve caps to keep valve cores clear of debris and to help guard against air leakage.
  16. Never release air from a hot tire in order to reach the recommended cold tire pressure. Normal driving causes tires to run hotter and air pressure to increase. If you release air when your tires are hot, you may dangerously underinflate your tires.
  17. If you must add air when your tires are hot, add four pounds psi above the recommended cold air pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tire is cold.
  18. It is not often that a properly maintained tire will "blow out" while you are driving. More commonly, if air is lost, it will be gradual. If you do experience a blowout or sudden tire failure, the following information should be helpful:
    When a failure occurs, the vehicle may pull towards the side of the failed tire. Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, hold the steering wheel firmly, and steer to maintain your lane position. Once the vehicle has slowed and is fully under control, apply the brakes gently. Gradually pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop.
  19. Visually check for obvious signs of uneven tread wear or damage. Always check when they're cold (that is at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped or before it has been driven one mile).
  20. Inspect your tires for cuts, cracks, splits or bruises in the tread and sidewall areas. Bumps or bulges may indicate a separation within the tire body. Have your tire inspected by a qualified tire service person. It may be necessary to have it removed from the wheel for a complete inspection.
  21. Before having your tire repaired, tell the dealer location if you have used an aerosol fixer to inflate/seal the tire. Aerosol fixers could contain a highly volatile gas. Always remove the valve core outdoors, away from the sources of excessive heat, flame or sparks and completely deflate the tire before removing it from the rim for repair.
  22. Driving your vehicle with an improper mix of tires is dangerous. Your car's handling characteristics can be seriously affected.
  23. When lower speed rated winter tires replace higher speed rated touring and high performance all-season radial tires, speed should be reduced accordingly. Follow recommendations in your vehicle owner's manual for winter tires, studs and chains.
  24. Underinflated tires can reduce gas mileage by 5%, and increase tire wear by 10%.
end