Frequently Asked Questions

If you keep your tyres 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 almost everything you need to know to get the most out of your tyres.

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How much air should I put in my tyres?

Proper inflation is the single most important part of tyre care. The inflation pressure on the side of the tyre is the maximum operating pressure. It is not necessarily the right inflation for your vehicle. Always use the inflation recommended by the vehicle 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 glove box door.

Always check inflation when tyres are cold (i.e., when the vehicle has been driven for less than a mile or one hour or more after driving). Use a good quality tyre gauge. Remember that it's natural for radial tyres 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 travelling with a heavy load. And don't forget to check the spare. Your Goodyear retailer can answer any questions you may have about tyre inflation.

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What is alignment?

A vehicle is properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound, and when the tyre and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and precise steering. Uneven front or rear tyre wear, or changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response (i.e. pulling to one side) usually indicate misalignment.

Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. Your vehicle may need a front-end alignment or a four-wheel alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The moderate cost of aligning your vehicle pays for itself in tyre mileage, performance and comfort. Goodyear retailers provide expert alignment and suspension service.

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Why do my tyres need to be balanced?

Properly balanced tyres are important for driving comfort and long tyre life. Unbalanced tyres can cause vibration, resulting in driver fatigue, premature tyre wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Tyres should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Tyres should be rebalanced at the first sign of vibration or "shimmy." Vibration may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems. Many Goodyear retailers can provide expert diagnosis and repair.

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Isn't it easy to mount a tyre on a wheel? Can't I do it myself?

Never try to mount your own tyres. Tyre mounting is a job for the people who have the proper equipment and experience. If you try it yourself, you run the risk of serious injury, as well as possible damage to the tyre and rim.

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Is it safe to repair a flat tyre?

If a tyre 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. Tyres 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 tyres with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch or any sidewall puncture.

Never repair tyres that are worn below 1/16 inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tyre 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 tyre's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations. See a Goodyear retailer for expert tyre repair.

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How can I check my tyres for wear problems?

Tyres often give their owners signs of problems early, giving them plenty of time to have them corrected. Learn to read these early warning signs and you can prevent many wear problems that shorten tyre life by thousands of miles.

Here are some of the most common problems.

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Should I rotate my tyres?

Regular and proper tyre rotation promotes more uniform wear for all of the tyres on a vehicle. All season tyres should be rotated in a "modified X" pattern, meaning only the tyres being moved to the drive axle are crossed to the opposite side of the vehicle. The remaining two tyres are moved from the drive axle to the free rolling axle, remaining on the same side of the vehicle.

This method of rotation helps promote a more even and uniform tread wear pattern for all four tyres. The only exception to this would be when using "directional" tread design tyres such as the Aquatred II or some of the Eagle line high performance tyres. These tyres would remain on the same side of the vehicle and be rotated straight forward and straight back.

If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, we recommend crossing both pairs of tyres to their new axle positions.

We recommend tyre rotation at least every 6,000 miles. Four-wheel drive vehicles may require rotation even sooner, perhaps every 4,000 miles.

Check your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tyres should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. The first rotation is the most important. When tyres are rotated, inflation pressures must be adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Uneven tyre wear may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems. Many Goodyear retailers can provide expert diagnosis and repair.

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How long should my original equipment tyres last?

Goodyear does not offer a written mileage promise on any tyres supplied as original equipment. Due to the variety of styles, construction features, treat compounds, vehicle applications, geographical conditions and driving habits, it is difficult to provide specific mileage expectancy.

However, any tyre wear concern should always be presented to your local authorised Goodyear retailer for further evaluation.

Many of our authorised retailers offer specific mileage warranties on several lines of tyres sold as replacements, including some that are used as original equipment. These mileage warranties are administered based on the retail outlets verification of proper tyre maintenance performed.

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How do I know when I need new tyres?

Many tyres have tread wear indicator bars moulded 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’s time to replace the tyre.

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Can my driving habits affect the life of my tyres?

They certainly can. Here are some tips to increase the life of your tyres:

  • Don't speed. Excessive heat is generated when driving at high speeds. This heat increases the rate of tyre wear and reduces the tyre's durability.
  • Avoid fast turns on curves and around corners, or fast starts and panic stops.
  • Don't ride on the edge of the pavement or drive over curbs, chuck-holes, or other obstructions.
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Must I replace my present tyres with same sized tyres?

Never choose a smaller size than those that came with the car. Tyres should always be replaced with the same size designation (or approved options), as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or Goodyear retailer.

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When buying only two new tyres, should they be put on the front or rear?

When radial tyres are used with bias or bias belted tyres on the same car, the radials must always be placed on the rear axle. Never mix radial and bias-ply tyres on the same axle. When you select a pair of replacement tyres that are the same size and construction as those on the car, we recommend you put them on the rear axle. A single new tyre should be paired on the rear axle with the tyre having the most tread depth of the other three.

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Do my new tyres require any special treatment?

Your new tyres will probably feel different from the tyres that were replaced. Drive carefully as you become familiar with their performance and handling. Take special care when braking, accelerating, cornering, or driving in the rain. These are the times when the differences will be most noticeable.

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Should I "mix" tyre types on my car?

Tyres of different size designations, constructions, and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability. For best all-around performance, it is recommended that all tyres be of the same size, construction (radial or non-radial) and speed rating. If tyres of different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, then the same size, type and speed ratings need to be placed on the same axle, the tyres with the lower speed rating will be the determining factor for permissible tyre-related vehicle speed. Never mix radial and bias-ply tyres on the same axle. Get specific information from your Goodyear retailer.

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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 tyres, 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 cause excessive tyre and suspension wear. It could even be dangerous. Goodyear retailers offer expert diagnosis and repair.

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My tyre has gone flat. Is this covered by my Goodyear Limited Warranty?

Due to the variety of causes for air loss, only an authorised Goodyear retailer can answer this question.

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 build-up on the wheels, which prevents a proper seal between the wheel flange and the tyre beads; bead seating area damage from accidental mounting or dismounting injury; foreign material between the rim flange area and the tyre bead seating area; bent rim flange).
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Where can I get specific technical information or testing data about a Goodyear tyre?

All engineering data available to the public is provided on the respective product information brochures that are available at retail outlets or on the Goodyear website. Most technical or test data is considered proprietary and not available to the public. In some cases, some information may be shared, but these inquires must be made in writing and mailed specifically to our Technical Centre for review.

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Where can I find old production or discontinued tyres for my classic or restored vehicle?

Recently discontinued tyres are quickly consolidated and sold in large quantities to several sources. Goodyear would have no method of tracking the inventory after this sale.

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What do the markings on my tyre sidewall mean?

Use the diagram below to find your tyre size and other information about your tyre:

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