MAINTAIN PROPER INFLATION PRESSURE IN YOUR TIRES.
Proper inflation pressure is necessary for optimum tire
performance, safety and best fuel economy. To maintain proper inflation
pressure, frequently check tires (when they are cool) with an accurate
tire pressure gauge. For example, it is difficult to tell just by
looking at radial tires whether they are under inflated.
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Evidence of air loss or repeated under inflation requires tire removal and expert inspection.
Always maintain inflation pressure at the level recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer as shown on the vehicle placard or in the Owner's
Manual. Higher inflation pressure increases stiffness which may
deteriorate ride and generate unwanted vibration.
Tire footprint and traction are reduced when van, pickup or RV
tires are over inflated for the loads carried. In particular, tires with
aggressive tread patterns may contribute to oversteer or "roadwalk" if
inflated beyond the inflation pressure specified in the Owner's Manual
and vehicle placard for standard or customary loads. Over inflation also
increases the chances of bruise damage.
Under inflation is the most common cause of failures in any kind of
tire and may result in severe cracking, component separation or
"blowout," with unexpected loss of vehicle control and accident. Under
inflation increases sidewall flexing and rolling resistance resulting in
heat and mechanical damage.
Furthermore, when operating a vehicle equipped with radial tires,
it is difficult to notice when a tire has gone flat or near flat since
the "feel" of the vehicle does not change significantly.
A tire is a pneumatic system, which supports a vehicle's load. It
does this by using a compressed gas (usually air) inside to create
tension in the carcass plies. It is important to realize that a tire
carcass has a high-tension strength, but has little or no compression
strength. It is the air pressure that creates tension in the carcass and
allows the tire to function as a load-carrying device. That's why
inflation is so important. In an inflated, but unloaded tire, the cords
pull equally on the bead wire all around the tire. When a tire is
loaded, the tension in the cords between the rim and the ground is
balanced or relieved. The tension in other cords is not changed.
Therefore, the cords opposite the ground pull upwards on the bead. This
is the mechanism that transmits the pressure from the ground to the rim.
In addition, a tire must transmit handling (acceleration, braking,
cornering) to the road. Cornering forces are transmitted to the rim in a
similar manner to load. Acceleration and braking forces rely on the
friction between the rim and the bead. Inflation pressure also supplies
the clamping force, which creates friction.
A tire also acts as a spring between the rim and the road. This spring characteristic is very important to the vehicle's ride.
Too high an inflation pressure causes the tire to transmit shock
loads to the suspension and reduces a tire's ability to withstand road
impacts.
Too low an inflation pressure reduces a tire's ability to support
the vehicle's load and transmit cornering, braking and acceleration
forces.
Finding the optimum inflation pressure requires extensive engineering efforts on the part of tire and vehicle manufacturers.
Under-inflation
can cause many tire-related problems. Because a tire's load capacity is
largely determined by its inflation pressure, under-inflation results
in an overloaded tire. An under-inflated tire operates at high
deflection, resulting in decreased fuel economy, sluggish handling and
may result in excessive mechanical flexing and heat buildup leading to
catastrophic tire failure.
Correct inflation is especially significant to the endurance and
performance of radial performance tires. For example, because of a
performance radial's aspect ratio and design, it may not be possible to
look at a radial tire and actually see under-inflation of 5 psi.
However, under-inflation of 5 psi can reduce a performance tire's tread
life by 25%. A typical tire may also lose 1 to 2 psi a month, if not
checked and adjusted.
Temperature Effects: Air pressure is affected by temperature. The
air under pressure in a tire is no exception. Typically, an inflation
pressure can change by 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of
temperature change. Higher temperature means increased pressure.
For example, if a tire is inflated to 35 psi on an 80-degree July
day, it could have an inflation pressure of 23 psi on a 20-degree day 6
months later in January. This represents a normal loss of 6 psi over the
six months and an additional loss of 6 psi due to the 60-degree
temperature change. At 23 psi, this tire is severely under-inflated.
SAFETY Note:
For safety and vehicle performance, Dunlop recommends that tire
inflation pressure be checked at least once each week and as often as
possible when tires are cold (ambient air temperature and if the vehicle
has not been driven for several hours.) Repeat or excessive inflation
loss (more than 2 psi); visible damage such as knots, bulges, punctures,
cuts, cracks, irregular wear; experiencing impacts, vibration or
pulling; all require removal, expert inspection of tire and rim to
determine reparability, or the need for replacement. Damaged tires may
fail suddenly or burst upon re-inflation, resulting in serious injury.
