• 

To keep your tires in excellent condition, Goodyear Tire & Service Network locations have outlined detailed recommendations about tire repair, tire tread, and tire inflation. Browse by section below, or print the full list of self-care tips.

• 

  

  

  • 

  To help keep your car in proper driving condition, consult this list of tire care suggestions. For a professional evaluation, visit a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location.

  Visual Inspection

  Inspecting your tires can help you reveal punctures or other visible signs of damage that could necessitate replacement.

  Repairs

  It's crucial to know when it's okay to have a tire repaired and when a tire should be replaced.

  • If a tire loses air pressure, it should be removed for an internal inspection.
  • Driving on a flat tire for even a short distance can ruin it.
  • Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch can be repaired if the damage is confined to the tread.
  • DO NOT repair any sidewall or tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, and NEVER repair tires worn below 1/16 inch.

  Balance & Alignment

  Having your tires balanced and your vehicle properly aligned is important for tire longevity and vehicle performance.

  • Unbalanced tires cause road vibration, which can lead to driver fatigue, premature tire wear (also known as cupping or dipping), and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension.
  • Tires should be balanced whenever they're mounted on wheels.
  • They should be rebalanced at the first sign of a vibration or shimmy, and once a year.

• 

  

  

  • 

  Having the necessary items will help you change a flat as soon as the need arises, minimizing potential damage to your tires. Review the list below for what to keep in your vehicle. For a professional assistance, visit a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location:

  Make Sure You Always Have:

  • Your vehicle's owner's manual
  • An inflated spare tire
  • A jack
  • A lug wrench
  • Bracing material, such as a small piece of wood or a brick

• 

  

  

  • 

  Checking your tire tread every 3,000 miles is recommended. Below are two simple tests to see if your tires need to be replaced. For a professional evaluation, visit a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location.

  Take the Penny Test

  Insert a penny into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln's head, it's time to replace your tires.

  Check the Treadwear

  Check the indicator bar located at the bottoms of the tread grooves in several locations around the tire. When a tire is so worn that these bars become visibly flush with the adjacent tread ribs, replace it.

  To avoid potential problems, have your tires checked at a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location if you notice any of these common wear patterns:

  • Wear on both edges: UNDER INFLATION
    Under inflation increases the treadwear on a tire's outside edges and generates excessive heat, reducing the tire's toughness. Soft tires also increase rolling resistance, reducing fuel economy.
  • Wear in center: OVER INFLATION
    Over inflation increases wear on the center tread.
  • Cups or dips in the tread: WORN PARTS
    Cupping or dipping is most common on front tires, but rear tires can cup as well.
  • Sawtooth edges: MISALIGNMENT
    Misalignment causes erratic scrubbing against the road giving the tire's edges a saw tooth-like appearance.

• 

  

  

  • 

  Find out why maintaining proper air pressure in your tires is so important by reading the points below. For a professional evaluation, visit a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location.

  • Under inflation increases treadwear on the outer edges, and generates excessive heat, which can age tires faster.
  • Fuel economy is reduced as rolling resistance increases - soft tires make your vehicle work harder.
  • Too much air pressure causes the center tread to carry most of the car's weight, leading to faster deterioration and uneven wear.

  To find the proper air pressure for your tires, look in your vehicle's owner's manual, on the sticker on the driver's side doorjamb, or in the glove box.

• 

  

  

  • 

  To help you conserve money and resources, review this quick reference about saving fuel. For professional assistance, visit a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location.

  Improve My Gas Mileage

  • Switching to fuel-efficient Assurance® Fuel Max® tires can help you use less gas.¹
  • Replacing a clogged air filter can improve a vehicle's gas mileage by 10 percent.²
  • Using the grade of motor oil recommended by the vehicle manufacturer can improve gas mileage by 1% to 2%.³
  • Regular vehicle maintenance can improve gas mileage by 4.1%.⁴

  Help My Tires Last Longer

  • Check your tire pressure (including your spare) monthly - follow the recommendations on your vehicle door sticker, or vehicle’s owner's manual.
  • Inspect your tires once a month for uneven treadwear, cuts, cracks, bulges, foreign objects, or other wear or damage.
  • Have your tires rotated and the balance checked every 6,000 miles. (Check your vehicle’s owner's manual for specifics.)

  Save Money at the Gas Pump

  • Excess weight can reduce gas mileage by 1-2% for every 100 pounds, so travel light.
  • Close the cap - 147 million gallons of gas evaporate every year from vehicles without gas caps.
  • Avoid fast starts - aggressive acceleration can reduce gas mileage by 33%.⁵

  ¹ 2,600 miles based on a 4% fuel economy improvement, on 65,000 Mile Tread Life Limited Warranty, as compared to the standard Goodyear Assurance® tire tested on P195/65R15 size - 2008 Honda Civic. Actual results may vary based on when tires are replaced, driving and road conditions, and proper tire maintenance.

  ² "For Summer Driving Tips, Goodyear Offers a Suitcase Full of Smart Travel Advice," www.Goodyearnewsroom.com

  ³ http://goodyear.inc.ly/tips-mileage, U.S. Department of Energy

  ⁴ http://www.goodyeartires.com/care/fuel-efficient-tires/, U.S. Department of Energy

  ⁵ "Gas Saving Tips for Memorial Day Weekend Driving," carcarenewsservice.com

• 

  

  

  • 

  To help maintain even treadwear and prolong tire life, review this quick reference about alignment, rotation, and visual inspections. For a professional evaluation, visit a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location.

  Misalignment of the front or rear wheels can cause rapid or uneven wear. Front-wheel-drive vehicles and those with independent rear suspension require alignment of all four wheels, instead of two. Getting your alignment checked as specified in your vehicle's owner's manual is the recommended way to prolong tire life.⁴

  Sometimes irregular tire wear can be corrected by rotating your tires. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual or visit a Goodyear Tire & Service Network location to find the appropriate rotation pattern for your vehicle. If your tires show uneven wear, ask an expert in the Goodyear Tire & Service Network to check for and correct any misalignment, imbalance, or other mechanical problem involved before rotation.⁴

  A tire's tread directly affects how it grips the road, so it's important to regularly inspect it visually for signs of uneven wear. These signs can include high or low areas, or unusually smooth ones.⁴

  ⁴ "Be Tire Smart," The Rubber Manufacturers Association.