matespace
09-11-2011, 11:20 AM
Back in part 1 the tyre . We looked at the basic construction of the tyre and its markings on the sidewalls and the all important tyre placard.
In Part 2 we'll be focusing on the maintenance. Tyre maintenace goes far beyond applying a fresh coat of tyre shine and doesnt stop once you leave the mechanics.
With proper regular maintenance a tyre will last longer ( saving your back pocket) and in return provide you and your passengers a safer trip.
Tyre rotation
Regular tyre rotation will help to lengthen the life of your tyres as well as reduce any uneven wear. Tyre rotation is important for all vehicles, but especially for front-wheel-drive models where the front tyres have to do a lot of work. Remember to consider the spare in rotation. The spare should go to the right rear position; then the tyre in the diagrams shown as moving to the right rear should become the spare. Tyre pressures need to be checked after rotation.
The recommended rotation is illustrated in the diagrams below for both front and rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It is much easier for your tyre specialist to perform this for you than for you to try it with limited equipment. It's also a good opportunity for them to keep an eye out for any signs of mechanical problems before they get worse.
http://www.yokohama.com.au/img/tyretips/tyre_rotation.gif
Maintaining Your Tyres
If you look after your tyres, they'll return the favour
The air pressure in your tyres is critical to their performance and your safety
Under-inflated tyres wear out faster
Don't rely on 'looking' at the tyre - appearances can be deceiving. Use an accurate tyre pressure gauge
Remember to check your spare! You may need it one day; Your spare should be serviceable and roadworthy
Pressures should be checked every 2-4 weeks. It is normal for tyres to slowly lose air through the rubber
Tyre pressures should be checked and set when the tyres are cold (i.e. not after a long trip) as heat will temporarily raise the pressure
The correct tyre pressure for your vehicle is shown on the tyre placard or in the vehicle owners' handbook
Make sure valve caps are fitted as they keep foreign matter out of the valve core
Too much pressure can be as dangerous as too little pressure
If you notice damage to the tyre, have it inspected by a tyre specialist - tyre failure at high speed can have tragic consequences
Tyre repairs should be carried out by a tyre specialist who will generally remove the tyre from the rim and inspect it for internal damage before repairing it from the inside. Push-in plugs from the outside should only be used for temporary emergency repairs
Invest in a 4-way wheel brace (cross brace) - they're much easier to use than the one usually supplied
Make sure your jack works... and you know how to use it
Changing a Tyre
Follow this Procedue...
Driving on a flat tyre can be dangerous and will sometimes cause the tyre to become irreparable.
Step 1: Park the vehicle in a safe location, preferably on a level, hard surface. Apply the parking brake and put the vehicle in 'Park' (automatic) or in gear (manual).
Step 2: Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel you are going to remove with a suitable object. If you are on a slope, always chock the wheel on the low side of the slope.
Step 3: Remove the spare wheel and the jack from their storage locations.
Step 4: Remove the hubcap (if fitted) and only just loosen the wheels nuts, DO NOT remove them.
Step 5: Raise the car with the jack, being careful to use the correct jacking point, until the tyre is around 6cm off the ground.
Step 6: Remove the wheel nuts then remove the wheel from the vehicle using a proper lifting technique.
Step 7: Place the spare wheel on the vehicle, again using a proper lifting technique, and lightly tighten the wheel nuts ensuring the nut is correctly seated. Care should be taken not to 'cross thread' the nut and wheel stud.
Step 8: Lower the car and remove the jack.
Step 9: Now that the wheel is on the ground, tighten the wheel nuts with the wheel brace and replace the hubcap (if it was fitted).
Step 10: Place the removed wheel and jack back in their storage places, and remove the wheel chock.
You should have the damaged tyre inspected and repaired or replaced, as soon as you can, by your tyre specialist. Driving with an inoperable spare tyre may be asking for trouble!
for more info on Tyres or to see the yokohama range check out : http://www.yokohama.com.au/ (http://clixtrac.com/goto/?49435)
In Part 2 we'll be focusing on the maintenance. Tyre maintenace goes far beyond applying a fresh coat of tyre shine and doesnt stop once you leave the mechanics.
With proper regular maintenance a tyre will last longer ( saving your back pocket) and in return provide you and your passengers a safer trip.
Tyre rotation
Regular tyre rotation will help to lengthen the life of your tyres as well as reduce any uneven wear. Tyre rotation is important for all vehicles, but especially for front-wheel-drive models where the front tyres have to do a lot of work. Remember to consider the spare in rotation. The spare should go to the right rear position; then the tyre in the diagrams shown as moving to the right rear should become the spare. Tyre pressures need to be checked after rotation.
The recommended rotation is illustrated in the diagrams below for both front and rear-wheel-drive vehicles. It is much easier for your tyre specialist to perform this for you than for you to try it with limited equipment. It's also a good opportunity for them to keep an eye out for any signs of mechanical problems before they get worse.
http://www.yokohama.com.au/img/tyretips/tyre_rotation.gif
Maintaining Your Tyres
If you look after your tyres, they'll return the favour
The air pressure in your tyres is critical to their performance and your safety
Under-inflated tyres wear out faster
Don't rely on 'looking' at the tyre - appearances can be deceiving. Use an accurate tyre pressure gauge
Remember to check your spare! You may need it one day; Your spare should be serviceable and roadworthy
Pressures should be checked every 2-4 weeks. It is normal for tyres to slowly lose air through the rubber
Tyre pressures should be checked and set when the tyres are cold (i.e. not after a long trip) as heat will temporarily raise the pressure
The correct tyre pressure for your vehicle is shown on the tyre placard or in the vehicle owners' handbook
Make sure valve caps are fitted as they keep foreign matter out of the valve core
Too much pressure can be as dangerous as too little pressure
If you notice damage to the tyre, have it inspected by a tyre specialist - tyre failure at high speed can have tragic consequences
Tyre repairs should be carried out by a tyre specialist who will generally remove the tyre from the rim and inspect it for internal damage before repairing it from the inside. Push-in plugs from the outside should only be used for temporary emergency repairs
Invest in a 4-way wheel brace (cross brace) - they're much easier to use than the one usually supplied
Make sure your jack works... and you know how to use it
Changing a Tyre
Follow this Procedue...
Driving on a flat tyre can be dangerous and will sometimes cause the tyre to become irreparable.
Step 1: Park the vehicle in a safe location, preferably on a level, hard surface. Apply the parking brake and put the vehicle in 'Park' (automatic) or in gear (manual).
Step 2: Chock the wheel diagonally opposite the wheel you are going to remove with a suitable object. If you are on a slope, always chock the wheel on the low side of the slope.
Step 3: Remove the spare wheel and the jack from their storage locations.
Step 4: Remove the hubcap (if fitted) and only just loosen the wheels nuts, DO NOT remove them.
Step 5: Raise the car with the jack, being careful to use the correct jacking point, until the tyre is around 6cm off the ground.
Step 6: Remove the wheel nuts then remove the wheel from the vehicle using a proper lifting technique.
Step 7: Place the spare wheel on the vehicle, again using a proper lifting technique, and lightly tighten the wheel nuts ensuring the nut is correctly seated. Care should be taken not to 'cross thread' the nut and wheel stud.
Step 8: Lower the car and remove the jack.
Step 9: Now that the wheel is on the ground, tighten the wheel nuts with the wheel brace and replace the hubcap (if it was fitted).
Step 10: Place the removed wheel and jack back in their storage places, and remove the wheel chock.
You should have the damaged tyre inspected and repaired or replaced, as soon as you can, by your tyre specialist. Driving with an inoperable spare tyre may be asking for trouble!
for more info on Tyres or to see the yokohama range check out : http://www.yokohama.com.au/ (http://clixtrac.com/goto/?49435)