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If
you keep your tires properly inflated and rotate
them on a regular basis they should provide
you with mile after mile of trouble-free service.
The answers to these FAQs will tell you just
about everything you need to know to get the
most out of your tires. Pay special attention
to questions one through four about Inflation,
Rotation, Balance and Alignment.
- How
much air should I put in my tires?
- Should
I rotate my tires?
- Why
do my tires need to be balanced?
- What
is alignment?
- Is
it safe to repair a flat tire?
- What
should I do if I notice a vibration?
- Can
my driving habits affect the life of my
tires?
- How
can I check my tires for wear problems?
- How
do I know when I need new tires?
- Must
I replace my present tires with the same
size tires?
- Should
I "mix" tire types on my car?
- When
buying just two new tires, should they be
put on the front or rear?
- Isn't
it easy to mount a tire on a wheel? Can't
I do it myself?
- Do
my new tires require any special treatment?
- How
long should my original equipment tires
last?
- My
tire has gone flat. Is this covered by my
Auto's Unlimited Limited Warranty?
- Where
can I find old production or discontinued
tires for my classic or restored vehicle?
- Where
should I go if I have warranty concern on
a Auto's Unlimited tire?
- Where
can I get specific technical information
or testing data about Auto's Unlimited tires?
How
much air should I put in my tires?
Proper
inflation is the single most important part of tire care. The inflation
pressure on the side of the tire is the MAXIMUM operating pressure. It is not
necessarily the right inflation for your vehicle. Always use the inflation
recommended by the ve hicle manufacturer. You can find it in your owner's
manual, posted on the edge of the driver's door, on a door post or on the
inside of the glovebox door. Always check inflation when tires are COLD: when
the vehicle has been driven less than a mile or one hour or more after driving.
Use a good quality tire gauge. Note: It's natural for radial tires to have a
slight bulge in the sidewall at their proper inflation pressure. Check or
adjust inflation every few weeks, before any long trip or if traveling with a heavy
load. And don't forget to check the spare. Your Auto's Unlimited retailer can answer
any questions you may have about tire inflation.
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Should
I rotate my tires?
Regular
tire rotation promotes more uniform wear for all of the tires on a vehicle.
Check your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation
recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated
every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. The first rotation is the most important. When
tires are rotated, inflation pressures must be adjusted to the vehicle
manufacturer's recommendations. Uneven tire wear may also be due to
misalignment or mechanical problems. Many Auto's Unlimited retailers can provide expert
diagnosis and repair.
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Why
do my tires need to be balanced?
Properly
balanced tires are important for driving comfort and long tire life. Unbalanced
tires can cause vibration, resulting in driver fatigue, premature tire wear and
unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Tires should be balanced when
they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after
repair. Tires should be rebalanced at the first sign of vibration or
"shimmy." Vibration may also be due to misalignment or mechanical
problems. Many Auto's Unlimited retailers can provide expert diagnosis and repair.
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What
is alignment?
A
vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering
components are sound and when the tire and wheel assemblies are running
straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and
precise steering. Uneven front-or re ar-tire wear, or changes in your vehicle's
handling or steering response (i.e. pulling to one side) can indicate
misalignment. Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can
be adjusted for alignment. Your vehicle may need a "front-end" a alignment
or a "four-wheel" alignment, depending on the symptoms you are
experiencing. The moderate cost of having your vehicle aligned can more than
pay for itself in tire mileage, performance and comfort. Auto's Unlimited retailers
provide expert alignment and suspension service.
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Is
it safe to repair a flat tire?
If
a tire loses all or most of its air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel
for a complete internal inspection to be sure it's not damaged. Tires that are
run even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most
punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch -- confined to the tread -- may
be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved
methods. Don't repair tires with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, or any
sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tires which are worn below 1/16 inch
tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tire is always ready to
do the job. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it is
in good shape. If your car is equipped with one of the several types of temporary
spares, be sure to check the spare tire's sidewall for the correct inflation
pressure, speed, and mileage limitations. See your Auto's Unlimited™ outlet for expert
tire repair.
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What
should I do if I notice a vibration?
Vibration
is an indication that your car has a problem that needs attention. The tires,
steering system and suspension system should be checked to help determine the
possible cause and correction of the vibration. If left unattended, the
vibration could c ause excessive tire and suspension wear. It could even be
dangerous. Auto's Unlimited retailers offer expert diagnosis and repair.
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Can
my driving habits affect the life of my tires?
They
certainly can. Here are some tips to increase the life of your tires: 1) Don't
speed: excessive heat is generated when driving at high speeds. This heat increases
the rate of tire wear and reduces the tire's durability. 2) Avoid fast turns on
curves and around corners; fast starts and panic stops. 3) Don't ride on the
edge of the pavement or drive over curbs, chuck-holes, or other obstructions.
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How
can I check my tires for wear problems?
Tires
often give their owners signs of problems in plenty of time to have them
corrected. Learn to "read" these early warning signs and you can
prevent many wear problems that shorten tire life by thousands of miles. Here
are some of the most common problems.
Wear
on both edges: Under Inflation
Wear
in center: Over Inflation
Wear on one side:
Misalignment
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How
do I know when I need new tires?
Many
tires have tread wear indicator bars molded into the tread. When the tread is
worn down to where you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread,
it is time to replace the tire. Here's another simple test you can perform to
measure tread depth on your tires. Place a penny into a tread groove with
Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's
head, it's time to visit a Auto's Unlimited™ outlet for a new tire.
Top
Must
I replace my present tires with the same size
tires?
Never
choose a smaller size than those that came with the car. Tires should always be
replaced with the same size designation -- or approved options -- as
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or Auto's Unlimited outlet.
Top
Should
I "mix" tire types on my car?
Tires
of different size designations, constructions, and stages of wear may affect
vehicle handling and stability. For best all-around performance, the same type
tire should be used on all four wheel positions -- unless special purpose tires
(snow tires, for example) are used to improve performance. You can mix your
present tires with other size designations or constructions -- provided similar
tires are used in pairs on the same axle. Never mix radial and bias-ply tires
on the same axle. Get specific information from your Auto's Unlimited outlet. Top
When
buying just two new tires, should they be put
on the front or rear?
When
radial tires are used with bias or bias belted tires on the same car, the
radials must always be placed on the rear axle. Never mix radial and bias-ply
tires on the same axle. When you select a pair of replacement tires in the same
size and co nstruction as those on the car, we recommend you put them on the
rear axle. A single new tire should be paired on the rear axle with the tire
having the most tread depth of the other three.
Top
Isn't
it easy to mount a tire on a wheel? Can't I
do it myself?
Never
try to mount your own tires. Tire mounting is a job for the people who have the
proper equipment and experience. If you try to do it yourself, you run the risk
of serious injury to yourself as well as possible damage to the tire and rim.
Top
Do
my new tires require any special treatment?
Your
new tires will probably feel different from the tires that were replaced. Drive
carefully as you become familiar with their performance and handling. Take
special care when braking, accelerating, cornering, or when driving in the
rain, because these are the times when the differences will be most noticeable.
Top
How
long should my original equipment tires last?
Auto's
Unlimited
does not offer a written mileage promise on any tires supplied as original
equipment. Due to the variety of styles, construction features, treatment
compounds, vehicle applications, geographical conditions and driving habits, it
is difficult to provide a specific mileage expectancy. However,
any tire wear concern should always be presented
to your local Auto's Unlimited outlet for further evaluation.
Many
of our authorized retailers offer specific mileage warranties on several lines
of tires sold as replacement tires, including some tires that are used as
original equipment. These mileage warranties are administered based on the
retail outlets verification of proper tire maintenance having been performed.
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My
tire has gone flat. Is this covered by my Auto's
Unlimited
Limited Warranty?
Due
to the variety of causes for air loss, this question can only be answered by an
authorized Auto's Unlimited retailer. Some common causes of sudden or slow air loss:
Road
hazard injuries (punctures, cuts, impact damage to the liner, ply material or
sidewall rubber)
Valve
stem or valve core leakage (damaged or aged rubber stem or a loose or damaged
valve core)
Leaking from the bead seating area (corrosive
buildup on the wheels which prevents a proper seal between the wheel flange and
the tire beads, bead seating area damage from accidental mounting or
dismounting injury, foreign material between the rim fla nge area and the tire
bead seating area, bent rim flange) Top
Where
can I find old production or discontinued tires
for my classic or restored vehicle?
Recently
discontinued tires are quickly consolidated and sold in large quantities to
several sources and Auto's Unlimited would have no method of tracking the inventory
after this sale. Much older tires such as the older bias ply tires can many
times be found through Kelsey Tire, Inc. in Camdenton MO. They have obtained
the molds for several of these older bias ply tires. They can be reached at (314)
346-2506. For more information you can call (510) 889-0543. Top
Where
should I go if I have warranty concern on a
Auto's Unlimited tire?
All
authorized Auto's Unlimited retailers have been provided
full authority in determining warranty eligibility
on Auto's Unlimited tires. To find the nearest authorized
retailer in your area you can call (800) 466-3932.
Many authorized retailers are also listed in
the Yellow Pages under the Auto's Unlimited Wingfoot
emblem.
Top
Where
can I get specific technical information or
testing data about Auto's Unlimited tires?
All
engineering data available to the public is
provided on the respective product information
brochure made available at the retail outlets
or on the Auto's Unlimited Website. Most technical or
test data is considered proprietary and not
available to the public. Specific inquiries
may be made in writing and mailed to our Technical
Center for review.
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