JENNIFER NICKERSON
U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
While traveling the nation’s highways, how often do you see pieces of tire and tread belts along the sides of the road? I see them nearly every trip I take. Almost all of this litter is caused by blowouts and tread separation. So how do we keep our tires from becoming part of this road debris? The answer is vehicle tire maintenance.
Most of us never even think about tire maintenance. Our minds are full of other things such as planning our route, packing the car and making sure the tank is full of gas. Failure to maintain a vehicle’s tires, however, could bring a quick end to a family road trip.
The most important part of vehicle tire maintenance is having the tires inflated to the recommended pressure, which can be found on a placard located on the driver-side door jamb and inside the owner’s manual. To check the air pressure, always use an accurate tire pressure gauge and check the tires when they’re cold. If you check the pressure after driving, the tires will be hot and the gauge will register higher than the actual pressure. This false reading could later cause problems.
As tires wear, patterns develop, and these wear patterns can indicate several problems. The main two types of wear patterns are caused by tires being either underinflated or overinflated. An underinflated tire will develop excessive wear on the edges of the tread. An underinflated tire can flex more than a properly inflated tire. This flexing builds up heat, which can ruin the tire and lead to sidewall cracks. Underinflation can also reduce fuel economy through increased rolling resistance, which makes your vehicle’s engine work harder.
Overinflation causes the tire to wear in the middle of the tread. In this case, the middle of the tire takes all the weight, which accelerates the wear. This uneven wear reduces the useful life of the tire.
Another important step in proper tire maintenance is to check for tread depth or boldness. There are a few ways to check for tread depth, including looking at the tire’s wear bars. Another method is the penny test. Simply insert a penny into the tread with the date facing you. If you can see the date, it’s time to replace the tire. Because the tire might not be wearing evenly, make sure you check the depth in several different areas. The majority of tire troubles occur when there is less than 10 percent of the tread depth remaining. Remember, when it comes to tires, bald is never beautiful. Mechanics check tread depth with a tire wear indicator, which can be purchased at many auto parts stores.
Weather is another issue that usually doesn’t come to mind when checking tires, but it can play a part in maintenance. Tires on vehicles that sit parked on hard surfaces or stand in the hot sun for weeks or months can be damaged from lack of use. This damage is caused by ozone and heat and shows up as cracks in the sidewall that weaken the tire.
Bulges and abrasions should also be checked as part of a good tire maintenance routine. A bulge check depends on the type of tire you are using. A certain amount of bulge is normal with radial tires. However, if you notice a bulge on a bias tire, replace it. Any bulge on these tires makes them unserviceable.
On a radial tire, some bulges are not defects. These bulges are the result of how the tires are made. Different manufacturing techniques cause different types of bulges. The best thing to do is ask your tire company if the bulge is dangerous. However, any abrasion that goes all the way through the rubber to the cords means the tire should be replaced. This type of damage is too risky to leave to chance.
Before you hit the road, take the time to check your vehicle’s tires. A good tire inspection helps to make a safe and happy trip.