Tires: Description and Operation

TIRES
DESCRIPTION - TIRE
Tires are designed and engineered for each specific vehicle. They provide the best overall performance for normal operation. The ride and handling characteristics match the vehicle's requirements. With proper care they will give excellent reliability, traction, skid resistance, and tread life.
Driving habits have more effect on tire life than any other factor. Careful drivers will obtain, in most cases, much greater mileage than severe use or careless drivers. A few of the driving habits which will shorten the life of any tire are:
- Rapid acceleration
- Severe application of brakes
- High-speed driving
- Taking turns at excessive speeds
- Striking curbs and other obstacles
- Operating vehicle with over or under inflated tire pressures
Radial ply tires are more prone to irregular tread wear. It is important to follow the tire rotation interval. This will help to achieve a greater tread-life potential.

DESCRIPTION - RADIAL-PLY TIRES
Radial-ply tires improve handling, tread life and ride quality, and decrease rolling resistance.
Radial-ply tires must always be used in sets of four. Under no circumstances should they be used on the front only. They may be mixed with temporary spare tires when necessary. A maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) is recommended while a temporary spare is in use.
Radial-ply tires have the same load-carrying capacity as other types of tires of the same size. They also use the same recommended inflation pressures.
The use of oversized tires, either in the front or rear of the vehicle, can cause vehicle drive train failure. This could also cause inaccurate wheel speed signals when the vehicle is equipped with Antilock Brakes.
The use of tires from different manufactures on the same vehicle is NOT recommended. The proper tire pressure should be maintained on all four tires.

DESCRIPTION - REPLACEMENT TIRES

WARNING: FAILURE TO EQUIP THE VEHICLE WITH TIRES HAVING ADEQUATE SPEED CAPABILITY CAN RESULT IN SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE.

It is recommended that tires equivalent to the original equipment tires be used when replacement is needed.
Failure to use equivalent replacement tires may adversely affect the safety and handling of the vehicle.
The original equipment tires provide a proper combination of many characteristics such as:
- Ride
- Noise
- Handling
- Durability
- Tread life
- Traction
- Rolling resistance
- Speed capability
The use of oversize tires may cause interference with vehicle components. Under extremes of suspension and steering travel, interference with vehicle components may cause tire damage.