Having the proper tyre pressure is a crucial issue to maintain to ensure safety, driving performance, tyre life and fuel cost.
Tyres have been known to lose usually up to 1 psi in a month (psi : pound per square inch), therefore, it is important to check all tyres, at least once a month or before a long trip.
Under inflation causes increased stress in the sidewalls and tread area which can result in irregular wear, aquaplaning, poor fuel economy and change in vehicle handling stability.
Over inflation causes increased stress to internal materials which can result in premature failure, poor traction and change in vehicle handling/stability.
Driving on underinflated or overinflated tyres compromises any or all of the following.
Stopping distance: Properly inflated tyres maximize tread contact with the pavement, and traction along with it. Stopping with improperly inflated tyres takes more distance to stop the vehicle in an emergency situation.
Ride and handling: When the tyres have too much air, they're overly rigid, which means they don't absorb as much impact, so the car rides rougher and suspension components wear faster. An overinflated tyre's tread may crown, allowing only the center portion to contact the pavement, which decreases traction. When the pressure is too low, the ride might be softer, but the tread may not meet the road uniformly.
Fuel economy: Underinflated tyres greatly reduce fuel economy.
Treadwear: Along with the traction decrease that comes with over-inflation, it also causes the tread to wear more quickly in the center. Underinflation causes wear closer to the sides and allows more heat buildup, speeding wear.
Load bearing: Each tyre is rated to carry a maximum amount of weight at a prescribed tyre pressure. Some cars specify a higher pressure for greater loads. At best, a tyre that's underinflated for the load at hand will suffer the problems detailed above. Extra heat generated in the tyre can cause it to fail even if it had held up under a lighter load.
Under inflation causes increased stress in the sidewalls and tread area which can result in irregular wear, aquaplaning, poor fuel economy and change in vehicle handling stability.
Over inflation causes increased stress to internal materials which can result in premature failure, poor traction and change in vehicle handling/stability.
Driving on underinflated or overinflated tyres compromises any or all of the following.
Stopping distance: Properly inflated tyres maximize tread contact with the pavement, and traction along with it. Stopping with improperly inflated tyres takes more distance to stop the vehicle in an emergency situation.
Ride and handling: When the tyres have too much air, they're overly rigid, which means they don't absorb as much impact, so the car rides rougher and suspension components wear faster. An overinflated tyre's tread may crown, allowing only the center portion to contact the pavement, which decreases traction. When the pressure is too low, the ride might be softer, but the tread may not meet the road uniformly.
Fuel economy: Underinflated tyres greatly reduce fuel economy.
Treadwear: Along with the traction decrease that comes with over-inflation, it also causes the tread to wear more quickly in the center. Underinflation causes wear closer to the sides and allows more heat buildup, speeding wear.
Load bearing: Each tyre is rated to carry a maximum amount of weight at a prescribed tyre pressure. Some cars specify a higher pressure for greater loads. At best, a tyre that's underinflated for the load at hand will suffer the problems detailed above. Extra heat generated in the tyre can cause it to fail even if it had held up under a lighter load.
Check your tyres when they are cold or your vehicle has been parked for at least three hours.
DO NOT compare your inflation pressure to its maximum pressure marked on the tyre’s sidewall. You can find the correct air pressure for your tyres by looking at the sticker that is commonly located on the door of the driver’s side on many vehicles or looking in your owner’s manual.
Keep in mind that you can’t always tell if a tyre is underinflated with a visual inspection and be sure to use a tyre pressure gauge.
"tyre and loading information" label located on the inside of the driver’s door jamb
The depth of tread on each of your tyres is important for vehicle stability, especially on wet or icy roads. Irregular tyre wear is a frustrating little gremlin that can steal your tyres' performance and tread life if you let it. You can prevent unexpected accidents by checking for tyre wear regularly.
Crowntyre recommends you to check for tyre wear once in a month. Also, make sure to do a check once more after long distance travel.
Check the depth of the tread by observing the Tread Wear Indicator (as the symbol of “▲” or the letters of “TWI”) on the bottom of major grooves in several places across. To ensure optimum safety and performance, tyres should be replaced when groove depth remains less than 2mm.
When the tread surface is worn to the same level as these indicators, the tyre is at the legal limit and should be replaced.
We recommend you to check for tyre wear once in a month. Also, make sure to do a check once more after long distance travel.
Ideally, tyres should be rotated every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. When this is done consistently, the tyres are more likely to maintain good handling and traction and deliver maximum tread life. However, it's important to remember that tyre rotation alone cannot guard against rapid or uneven wear if your vehicle has faulty mechanical parts or improper tyre inflation pressure.
The most commonly used rotation pattern, designed primarily for front wheel drive vehicles.
For rear wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
Also for rear wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles – but can also be used as an alternative to the Forward Cross method for front wheel drive vehicles.
Primarily used for performance vehicles equipped with directional tyres of the same size. This rotation method is used for directional tread patterns.
If your spare tyre is of the same size as the four tyres in service, you should include that spare in your rotation pattern. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended rotation sequence, or introduce the spare into the rotation pattern in the right rear position.
Spares of temporary use cannot be included in your tyre rotation.
Wheel alignment is part of standard automobile maintenance that consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the car maker's specification. The purpose of these adjustments is to reduce tyre wear, and to ensure that vehicle travel is straight and true (without "pulling" to one side).
Wheel alignment ensures optimal driving. When you hit potholes or go off-roading and your wheels get out of whack, you actually cause uneven tyre wear. Over time, if nothing is fixed, unaligned wheels could affect your cars’ performance, steering wheel turning capabilities, and tyre movement.
Your car seems to be drifting to one side, even when you think you're driving straight.
Your steering wheel vibrates. You are driving straight, but your steering wheel isn't centered.
If none of these indicators occurs but it's been a while since your last alignment, check your owner's manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends having this service.
