Tire Maintenance Checklist
Visual Inspections - What to look for.
* Proper tire size and load range for Gross Axle Weight Rating
(available in the vehicle owner's manual or on the door placard)
- Mismatched sizes or types (bias/radial, rib/lug, load range)
- Road hazard or extensive curb damage in the tread or sidewall area
- Wear conditions - alignment, loose or worn parts
- Signs of overloaded or underinflated operation
- - Discoloration or waviness in sidewalls from high running temperatures
- - Distortion or bulging in the bead area near rim flange
- - Rapid tread wear on a specific wheel position or axle
- Severe sidewall weather cracking
- - Tire age (can be determined from DOT manufacture date on the tire sidewall)
- - Storage in direct sunlight or near electrical motor/generator
- Chemical damage from petroleum products (sponginess)
- Flat-spotting (brake skid)
- Condition of spare tire
- Acceptable dual spacing
- Loose lug nuts or broken wheel studs
- Rim width correct for tire size
- Assess vehicle for accessories/configuration that could contribute to weight bias/overload and adjust loading or inflation pressure accordingly
Measurement - What's Important!
- Remaining tread depth
- - Minimum of 4/32, check with your tire care professional at 6/32 to determine if replacements are needed
- - Rotation needed?
- - Axle and/or dual tread depth differential (4/32nds MAX)
- Inflation pressure
- - Tire pressure in-line with max pressure specs of wheel
- - Recommended pressure restored after tire storage?
- - For more specifics on tire inflation pressure, click here
- Load by wheel position
- - Recommend checking load on each wheel position by weighing loaded vehicle. Include pull-behind vehicles where applicable.
- - Places that you can weigh your RV include:
- - A'Weigh We Go - service at RV rallies or shows
- - Truck stop
- - Farm co-op or feed mill
- - Some sand and gravel yards