Maintenance Archives

How much air should I put in my tyres?

Proper inflation is the single most important part of tyre care. The inflation pressure indicated on the side of the tyre is the maximum allowable operating pressure. However, it is not necessarily the right inflation for your vehicle. Always use the inflation recommended by the vehicle manufacturer printed on the vehicle door placard or in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

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 dealer can answer any questions you have about tyre inflation.

What is tyre 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 indicates 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.

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 in your vehicle that can cause driver fatigue, premature tyre wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle’s suspension. Tyres should be rebalanced at the first sign of vibrations or “steering wheel shimmy”. Vibrations may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems so bring your vehicle down to a Goodyear retailer for a more expert diagnosis and repair.

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

Is it safe to repair a flat tyre?

If a tyre loses all or most of its air pressure, it needs to be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to make sure it’s not damaged. Tyres that run for even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to ¼ inch (confined to the tread) may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. Any puncture larger than ¼ inch or to the sidewall is beyond repair.

Also, never repair tyres that are worn below 1.6mm in tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tyre is always on hand. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it’s in good shape. Also remember to check the spare tyre’s sidewall for correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations.

Should I rotate my tyres?

Regular and proper tyre rotation gives your tyres more uniform wear. All season tyres should be rotated in a “modified X’ pattern, where the tyres being moved to the drive axle are crossed to the opposite 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 ensures 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. These tyres should 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.

Tyre rotation should happen at least every 10,000km for regular vehicles and every 6,000km for four-wheel drive vehicles.

Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s rotation recommendations. The first rotation is the most important. When tyres are rotated, inflation pressures must also be adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.

How long should my original equipment tyre last?

Due to the variety of styles, construction features, tread compounds, vehicle applications, geographical conditions and driving habits, it’s difficult for Goodyear to provide specific mileage expectancy for any tyres supplied as original equipment.

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

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

How do I know when I need new tyres?

Can my driving habits affect the life of my tyres?

They certainly can. Here are some tips to help extend 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, fast starts and panic stops.
Don’t ride on the edge of the pavement or drive over curbs, chuckholes, or other obstructions.

Must I replace my current tyres with the same sized tyres?

When buying only two new tyres, should they be put in 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 choose a pair of replacement tyres that are the same size and construction as those on the car, we recommend that 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.

Do my new tyres require special treatment?

Should I “mix” tyre types on my new 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 should be the determining factor for permissible tyre-related vehicle speed. Never mix radial and bias-ply tyres on the same axle.

What should I do if I notice a vibration?

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

Due to the variety of causes for air loss, contact an authorized Goodyear retailer to find out whether you are covered by the Goodyear Limited Warranty.

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; beads 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).