.Breaking in tires
     Keep in mind ALL tires, even winter tires require a break-in period of a few hundred miles for optimum performance. New tires are also a little slower to respond. Also, full tread depth brings with it a little more tire squirm until the tread wears down.

Setting and maintaining air pressure
     Your vehicle tire pressure is located either in your owners manual or the information placard on your vehicle. This is a cold tire reading and should be checked in the morning before the vehicle is driven more than a few miles or before rising temperatures or the sun's heat affects it. Once a month and before trips is the minimum, once a week is preferred!

Wheel lug torque
     Needs to be set to the recommended specs per your vehicle. If replacing wheels then they need to be rechecked after 50 miles. Proper number of turns for a lugnut to be secure on the following size studs are
14 x 1.5mm      7.5 turns
12 x 1.5mm      6.5 turns
12 x 1.25mm    8 turns
1/2"                 8 turns
7/16"               8 turns

Only after the lugnuts are hand tight all the way around the wheel ina star pattern should you snug them down.

Wheels and their finishes
     Beware of automatic car washes! Frequent washing with mild soap and water is the best way to protect their finish. Never use abrasiTire Performance Questions

How many miles will I get on my tires?
There are many factors that affect the tread life  of your tires: tread compounds , construction features, vehicle application, tire maintenance, geographic conditions, atmospheric conditions, driving habits, etc. Take special care when braking, accelerating, and cornering, to increase the life of the tires. If you have concerns about the rate of wear on your tires, consult your local INDEPENDENT tire retailer.
 

Do I have to replace my present tires with the same size tires?
Never choose a tire that is smaller in size  or has less load carrying capacity  than the tire that came with the car. Tires should always be replaced with the same size designation -- or approved options -- as recommended by the vehicle or tire manufacturer. The correct tire size can be found on the door placard  of the vehicle or by consulting your local INDEPENDENT tire retailer.
 

Can I replace the tires on my car with a lower speed-rated tire?
When replacing speed-rated  tires, you must use replacement tires with ratings equal to or greater than those of the original equipment  tires if the speed capability of the vehicle is to be maintained. The handling of a performance vehicle may be different when the replacement tires are not the same speed rating. Refer to the vehicle owner's manual to identify any tire speed rating restriction that could affect the operation of the vehicle.*

* Exceeding the legal speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed.
 

 
   
Maintenance Questions

How do I take care of my new tires?
Properly maintained tires will give you a more comfortable ride and a longer tread life . Here are a few tips on proper maintenance:
Balance  tires when they are mounted  on the wheels.
Rotate tires every 4,000 to 5,000 miles. Get an e-mail reminder when it's time to rotate your tires. Most tire manufactorers have this option on their website.
Check alignment when new tires are installed and at the first sign of irregular treadwear.
Clean tires with soap and water and a soft brush or a rag.
Check air pressure at least monthly.
Check tires frequently for any cuts, snags, punctures, or injury.
 

What air pressure is right for my tires?
Proper inflation is the single most important factor in tire care. The inflation pressure imprinted on the sidewall  of the tire is the MAXIMUM operating pressure determined by the tire manufacturer. It is not necessarily the correct tire inflation for your vehicle. You should ALWAYS use the inflation recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. This information can be found in the owner's manual and often on a placard  located in the vehicle's doorjamb, inside the fuel hatch, or on the glove compartment door.

Always check the pressure when the tires are "cold" -- at least three hours after the vehicle has been stopped and before it has been driven one mile. It's best to inflate your tires in the morning before the day's heat. And don't forget to check the spare tire.
 

Should I balance my tires? Why?
Balancing  means compensating for both the weight of the tire and wheel after the tire is mounted . A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. This can cause irregular treadwear and vibration, and increase the stress on the front-end parts, which may cause them to wear prematurely.

You should have your wheels balanced whenever a tire is replaced, when a balance weight is moved or removed, and whenever you purchase new tires. Of course, at the first sign of vibration or irregular treadwear, your car should be thoroughly checked for wheel balance and alignment , and for worn or broken mechanical parts.
 

What is alignment? When do I need it?
Alignment  generally refers to the adjustment of a vehicle's front and rear suspension parts. Proper alignment ensures that your vehicle handles correctly and will help increase the life and performance of your tires.

The alignment of your vehicle can be knocked out of adjustment from daily impacts such as potholes and railroad crossings, or by more severe accidents. You should have the alignment checked if:
You know you have hit something.
You see a wear pattern developing on the shoulders  of the tires.
You notice a difference in your vehicle's handling.
 

Should I rotate my tires? How? When?
Regular rotation extends the life of your tires, saving you time and money in the long run. For rotation, each tire and wheel is removed from your vehicle and moved to a different position. This ensures that all of the tires wear evenly and last longer. If no period is specified in your owner's manual, the tires should be rotated every 4,000-5,000 miles. 
 

Can I mix speed-rated tires on my car?
If tires of different speed ratings  are mounted  on a vehicle, it is recommended that the lower speed-rated tires be placed on the front axle. This is to prevent a potential oversteer  condition. Also, vehicle handling may be affected and the vehicle's speed capacity is limited to the lowest speed-rated tire.*

* Exceeding the legal speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed.
 

If I only purchase two new tires, where should they be mounted?
For front or rear wheel drive vehicles, we recommend mounting  the new tires on the rear axle, in order to prevent an oversteer  condition. When purchasing a single new tire, it should be paired on the rear axle with the tire having the greatest remaining tread depth . When radial  tires are unavoidably used with bias-ply tires  on the same vehicle (not recommended), the radial tires must ALWAYS be placed on the rear axle. NEVER mix radial and bias-ply tires on the same axle.

For 4-wheel drive vehicles, if no instructions for tire mixing appear in the vehicle owner's manual, adhere to the following guidelines:
Do not mix sizes --all four tires must be branded with the same tire size.
Do not mix radial and bias-ply tires.
Outside circumference of all four tires should be within one and one-half (1-1/2) inches of each other.
Do not mix tread  patterns such as all-terrain and all-season.
 

What should I do if I feel a vibration?
A vibration while driving indicates that there is a problem that needs attention. The tires, steering system and suspension system should be checked IMMEDIATELY to help determine the possible cause of the vibration. If the vibration is not corrected it could cause excessive tire and suspension wear. It could even be dangerous.
 

How do I know when my tires are worn out?
All tires have treadwear indicator bars at 2/32" of remaining tread . When the tread is worn down to 2/32" or where you can see the treadwear indicator bars on any section of you tire, the tire is worn out and should be replaced. Take your vehicle to your local Uniroyal tire retailer for an inspection and have them measure the remaining tread with a tread depth  gauge.
 

 
   
Warranty Questions  

What is the warranty on my tires?
Limited warranties cover defects in workmanship and material for the life of the original usable tread  or for six years from date of purchase, whichever occurs first. The date of purchase for tires installed as original equipment is documented by the new vehicle registration. If no proof of purchase can be produced, the six years will be determined from the date of the tire's manufacture. Some tires may carry a limited warranty for tread life  or mileage. Please refer to the tire manufacturer's warranty for your specific tire or call the tire manufacturer's consumer relations department.

 

How do I find out if my tire is warrantable?
Take the tire to your local INDEPENDENT tire retailer and have them properly inspect the tire. Tell the dealer what you are experiencing so they can diagnose the problem.   
 
 
Tread life
The life of tire before it is pulled from service; mileage. 
 
 

Rubber compound
A combination of raw materials blended according to carefully developed procedures. The rubber compound is specially adapted to the performance required of each type of tire. 
 
 
 
Size
The combination of tire width, construction type, aspect ratio, and rim size used in differentiating tires. 
 
 

Load-carrying capacity
Indicates how much weight a tire is certified to carry at maximum inflation pressure. 
 
 
 
Tire placard
A metal or paper tag permanently affixed to a vehicle, which indicates the appropriate tire size and inflation pressures for the vehicle. The placard can ordinarily be found on either the driver's doorpost, the glove box lid, or the fuel filler door. 
 
 
 
Speed rating
An alphabetical code (A-Z) assigned to a tire indicating the range of speeds at which the tire can carry a load under specified service conditions. 
 
 

Original equipment
Tires selected by a vehicle manufacturer that best matches tire performance to vehicle performance characteristics. Also known as OE. 
 
 
 
Balance/Imbalance
The state in which a tire and wheel spin with all their weight distributed equally. To correct an imbalance, a trained mechanic will add weights on the interior or exterior of the wheel. 
 
 
 
Mounting
This is the act of putting the tire on wheel and ensuring that the assembly is balanced. When you purchase new tires, they will need to be professionally mounted. It is also standard for the tire dealer to charge a nominal fee for a valve stem. 
 
 
 
Alignment
Adjusting all wheels on the vehicle so that they are pointed in the optimum direction relative to the road and each other. 
 
 

Sidewall
That portion of a tire between the tread and the bead. Protects the tire against impacts with curbs, etc. This is also where the sidewall markings can be found which tell you important information regarding the tire. 
 
 
 
Shoulder
The area of a tire where the tread and sidewall meet. 
 
 

Oversteer
Condition when the rear wheels are carving a larger arc than the front wheels or the intended line of the turn. Rear "slip angles" exceed those of the front tires. This is often described as a "loose" condition, as the car feels like it may swap ends, or be "twitchy." 
 
 
 
Tread depth
The depth of usable tread rubber measured in 32nds of an inch. If a tire comes new with 10/32nds of rubber, you have 8/32nds of usable rubber. Tires have to be replaced when the wear bars are visible at 2/32nds. 
 
 
 
Radial ply tire
A type of tire with plies arranged so cords in the body run at 90-degree angles to the center line of the tread. 
 
 

Bias-Ply
A type of tire with crossed layers of ply cord running diagonally to the center line of the tread.  
 
 
 
Tread
That portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road. It is distinguished by the design of its ribs and grooves. Provides traction in a variety of conditions, withstands high forces, and resists wear, abrasion, and heat.

What to Look For in a Tire



UTQG-Uniform Tire Quality Grade system considers factors such as load carrying capacity of the tire, as well as traction, treadwear and temperature grades. Each manufacturer is responsible for designating the ratings of its tires. LT(Light truck) tires do not have UTQG markings. UTQG offers three key pieces of information about the tire:

Treadwear grades- typically range from 60 to 800 in 20-point increments. The higher the grade, the longer the tread life.

Traction grades- indicate the tire's braking performance. A grade from "AA" to "C" is assigned, with "AA" signifying the best traction.

Temperature grades- represent a tire's ability to withstand heat under test conditions. Temperature grades are assigned "A" to "C" with "A" signifying the most resistance to heat

How to Read a Sidewall

1. The first number is a three-digit number, which refers to the overall width of the tire, in millimeters.

2. The second number refers to the aspect ratio, which is the percentage relationship between the tire's height and its width.

3. The letter following the aspect ratio is usually an "R", standing for "radial".

4. The next number indicates the diameter of the wheel rim on which the tire will fit.

5. The final number and letter represent the load index and speed rating. The load index is an assigned number ranging from 0 to 279, corresponding with the load carrying capacity of the tire; that is, how much weight it is certified to carry at maximum inflation pressure. The rating can be matched against a load index chart to determine corresponding maximum weights.

6. The speed rating of a tire indicates the speed catagory (or range) at which the tire can carry a load under specified service conditions. Each tire is assigned a rating from A (lowest) through W, Y, Z (highest) with one exception: the "H" rating falls out of sequence between "U" and "V" and is used for tires certified for speeds up to 130 mph. The "Q" rating is the lowest, commonly used for passenger cars. A "S" rated tire is certified to 112 mph. A "T" rated tire is certified to 118 mph. A "V" rated tire is certified to 149 mph. A "W" rated tire is certified to 168 mph. A "Y" rated tire is certified to 186 mph. Anything above "V" rated or 149 mph is considered a "Z" rated tire. Therefore you may see a "225/45/ZR17" rated tire which means it must be replaced with something greater than "V".

Tire Registration

Dot Markings

The DOT markings serves as the tire's fingerprints and signifies compliance with U.S. Dept. of Transportation Tire Safety Standards.

The first two characters (M5) designate the tire's manufacturer and plant code. The third and fourth characters denote the tire size. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth (optional) characters identify the brand as well as other significant characteristics. The final four numbers denote the date the tire was produced, with the first two numbers indicating the week, and the last two numbers indicating the year.

Registering your tires

Anytime you buy tires you should receive a tire registry card from the retailer where purchased. This is the law! You should fill in the information requested on the card and mail it to the National Tire Registry center. You can also register your tires online, most tire manufacturers have this service available.