Care and Service of Passenger and Light Truck (LT) Tires Including Tire Replacement Guidelines and Recreational Vehicle Applications © Rubber Manufacturers Association, August 2011 Care and Service of Passenger and Light Truck (LT) Tires Including Tire Replacement Guidelines and Recreational Vehicle Applications Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Basic Tire Information Overview ....................................................................................................................Chapter 1, page 2 Tire Construction and Terminology ..........................................................................Chapter 1, page 2 Tire Size Designations ..............................................................................................Chapter 1, page 3 The Sidewall Story ....................................................................................................Chapter 1, page 6 Tire Service Description ..........................................................................................Chapter 1, page 10 Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards for Passenger Car Tires ........................Chapter 1, page 11 Sidewall Marking for Retread Tires ........................................................................Chapter 1, page 11 Chapter 2 - Tire Care and Service Overview ..................................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 13 Proper Tire Inflation ................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 13 Tire Loading ............................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 16 Sudden Ride Disturbance or Vibration ..................................................................Chapter 2, page 16 Tire Inspection Guidelines ......................................................................................Chapter 2, page 16 Tire Service Life ......................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 18 Tire Rotation ............................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 20 Conditions Affecting Tread Wear ............................................................................Chapter 2, page 22 Proper Tire Repair ....................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 24 Passenger and Light Truck Used Tires ..................................................................Chapter 2, page 26 Spare Tire Maintenance ..........................................................................................Chapter 2, page 26 Tire Storage Recommendations ............................................................................Chapter 2, page 26 Cleaning Tires ..........................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 27 Tire Sidewall Indentations ......................................................................................Chapter 2, page 27 Tire Explosions and Flammable Substances ........................................................Chapter 2, page 28 Tire Spinning ............................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 29 Mounting and Demounting Procedures ................................................................Chapter 2, page 29 Tire/Wheel Balancing and Installation ..................................................................Chapter 2, page 32 “Zipper Ruptures” in Steel Cord Radial Medium and Light Truck Tires ..............Chapter 2, page 34 Tire Retreading ........................................................................................................Chapter 2, page 35 Chapter 3 - Tire Replacement Guidelines Overview...................................................................................................................Chapter 3, page 37 The Right Tire for the Vehicle..................................................................................Chapter 3, page 37 Tire Size, Inflation & Load.......................................................................................Chapter 3, page 37 Self-Supporting Runflat Tire Replacement .............................................................Chapter 3, page 40 Tire Mixing................................................................................................................Chapter 3, page 41 Replacing Less Than Four Tires ..............................................................................Chapter 3, page 42 Tire Rim/Wheel Selection........................................................................................Chapter 3, page 42 Tire, Vehicle Clearance and Tire Diameter .............................................................Chapter 3, page 43 Plus Sizing ................................................................................................................Chapter 3, page 43 Important Considerations ........................................................................................Chapter 3, page 45 Passenger and Light Truck Used Tires....................................................................Chapter 3, page 46 Chapter 4 - Recreational Vehicle Applications Overview ..................................................................................................................Chapter 4, page 48 RV Tire and Vehicle Placards/Labels ......................................................................Chapter 4, page 48 RV Tire and Vehicle Load Limits..............................................................................Chapter 4, page 49 Proper RV Tire Inflation ............................................................................................Chapter 4, page 50 Proper RV Tire and Vehicle Loading ........................................................................Chapter 4, page 52 How to Determine an RV’s Actual Weight ..............................................................Chapter 4, page 53 RV Tire Inspection Guidelines ..................................................................................Chapter 4, page 54 Severe Service Operation ........................................................................................Chapter 4, page 54 Sudden Ride Disturbance/Vibration........................................................................Chapter 4, page 58 Tire Rotation ............................................................................................................Chapter 4, page 58 RV Tire Service Life ..................................................................................................Chapter 4, page 58 Proper Tire Repair ....................................................................................................Chapter 4, page 59 Parking an RV ..........................................................................................................Chapter 4, page 60 Passenger and Light Truck Used Tires ....................................................................Chapter 4, page 61 Storing RV Tires ........................................................................................................Chapter 4, page 61 Purpose THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN TIRE SAFETY, PERFORMANCE AND SERVICE LIFE The purpose of this manual is to provide both the ARE: tire service professional and end user (consumer) with an understanding of the many factors that are • PROPER TIRE SIZE, TYPE, AND LOAD essential to the proper care and service of CAPACITY (OR LOAD RANGE) passenger and light truck tires (also known as • PROPER INFLATION PRESSURE "light vehicle tires"*). • PROPER VEHICLE LOADING • REGULAR TIRE ROTATION This manual is not all inclusive. RMA does not • REGULAR INSPECTION intend for it to eliminate the need for in-depth, • PROPER TIRE REPAIR hands-on training, especially in such areas as: tire • VEHICLE CONDITION, ALIGNMENT AND mounting and demounting; tire and wheel MAINTENANCE balancing; tire retreading; tire pressure monitoring • GOOD DRIVING HABITS systems (TPMS) and tire repairing. Personnel that service tires must receive professional training. Tire manufacturers and www.rma.org and click on “Publications” to search industry organizations, such as the Tire Industry for other manuals, bulletins, wall charts, etc. For Association**, provide comprehensive, hands-on questions regarding RMA publications, call (202) training programs for tire service professionals. 682-4800. The "WARNINGS" and "CAUTIONS" contained in RMA publications are important and must be followed. Questions pertaining to specific products or pieces of service equipment should be addressed Care and Service of Passenger directly to the manufacturer of that product. and Light Truck (LT) Tires RMA does not endorse, certify, approve, consent, or Including Tire Replacement confirm in any way products, brands, Guidelines and Recreational creations/inventions, etc. of any company, Vehicle Applications corporation, business or firm. CHAPTERS: Introduction 1. Basic Tire Information 2. Tire Care and Service The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) 3. Tire Replacement Guidelines represents companies that manufacture tires in the 4. Recreational Vehicle Applications United States. The RMA and its members recognize how important tires are to safety. Published by Tires are designed and manufactured