Greentour

Importance of tire pressure

Having your tires correctly inflated not only optimizes performance, but also leads to increased safety. You should therefore check the pressure of your tires (not forgetting the spare tire) at least once a month and before long journeys.

What should my tire pressure be?

The first step is knowing what your tire pressure should be. You can find out what your vehicle’s tire pressure should be by looking in your vehicle owner’s manual or on the little sticker on the inside of your driver’s side car door for the recommended PSI.

How to check tire pressure?

1) Purchase a certified air pressure gauge or take your vehicle to a nearby service center (or gas station) for a check-up.

2) Tires must be checked in a “cold” state (at least three hours after driving).

3) Insert the gauge into the valve.

4) Compare the measured air pressure level with the level listed on the car door.

- In case of higher pressure than a recommendation, deflate your tire to the recommended pressure.

- In case of lower pressure than a recommendation, inflate your tire up to the recommended pressure.

Tires become worn over time

Having your tires correctly inflated not only optimizes performance, but also leads to increased safety. You should therefore check the pressure of your tires (not forgetting the spare tire) at least once a month and before long journeys.

But how do you check tread levels?

Tread wear indicators, built into the main tread grooves, show the tread depth. A tire must be changed as soon as it wears down to these indications. Tread depth remaining is then 1.6 mm, which corresponds to the legal minimum. Checking tires for wear also involves getting them checked regularly, both inside and outside, by a tire specialist.

Irregular Tire Wear

Due to their circular design, tires should have even wear on contact areas. However, in reality, irregular tire wear is common. Uneven wear shortens tread life and can cause abnormal shaking in the vehicle. Causes of irregular wear include driving style, poorly serviced vehicle, incorrect air pressure and lax tire rotation among others.

Tire Rotation

Even wear on all tires eliminates the need for tire rotation. However, when irregular wear is detected, tires must immediately be rotated. To prevent such uneven wear in advance, switching the location of tires is recommended every 7,500miles. In the case of snow tires which use spike pins, care must be taken not to change the rotational direction of the tires as the failure to do so may result in the loss of spikes.

Benefits of Tire Rotation

Prevents irregular wear and extends tire life.
Allows easy detection of irregular wear due to vehicle misalignment.
Enables easy repair of flat tires.

Tire Balance

Tire balancing compensates for the weight of the tire and wheel assembly after the tire is mounted. A wheel is out of balance when one area is heavier or lighter than the rest. The result of bouncing or wobbling, which can decrease treadwear, increase vibration and cause stress on your vehicle. The balance correction weights are added to counterbalance the tires.

When to Balance

A tire is replaced.
A balance weight is moved or removed.
You purchase new tires.

How Wheels are Balanced

To balance a wheel, your mechanic uses a balancing machine to determine where the heavy spots are. Weights are then attached to the exterior or interior of the wheel to counteract centrifugal forces acting on the heavy areas when the wheel is turning. This will eliminate vertical bouncing and side-to-side wobble.

Tread wear indicator

Tires have built-in tread wear indicators which mark the minimum allowable tread depth. The indicators are 4~6 small raised bars which run across the grooves of the tire tread and are 1.6mm in height. Made to be clearly visible to consumers, the mark in the shoulder area also helps to pinpoint the location of the indicators. When measuring tread depth, one should avoid the area with the indicators.Tires with worn out treads lack the ability to channel water, creating extremely dangerous situations such as slipping or hydroplaning on wet roads. Tire blow outs also increase in frequency.

Tire Tips

Guide to Wet Driving

Driving on wet roads requires enhanced handling, braking, and drainage performance from your tires. Understanding the risks of wet conditions and taking proper precautions can significantly improve your safety.

Challenges of Driving on Wet Roads

Wet road conditions can be as hazardous as snowy ones, with accident rates similarly high. Tires may hydroplane, losing contact with the road and causing a momentary loss of control. Additionally, reduced grip on wet surfaces increases braking distances, highlighting the importance of driving carefully in the rain.

Safety Precautions for Wet Driving

Worn tires are less effective on wet roads, so it's crucial to check their condition regularly, especially before long trips. Reduce your speed before entering a turn and maintain a steady pace while turning. If you lose control in wet conditions, stay calm and avoid sudden braking or acceleration. Instead, ease off the accelerator and allow your tires to regain traction, making gentle steering adjustments to regain control.

Guide to Eco Driving

Eco driving is a smart strategy for adapting to the challenges of high fuel costs and promoting energy conservation, ensuring that every journey is more efficient and environmentally conscious.

1. Maintain Steady Speed

Avoid rapid acceleration and sudden braking. Use cruise control when possible to maintain a consistent speed and improve fuel efficiency.

2. Reduce Idle Time

Turn off the engine when idling for extended periods to save fuel and reduce emissions.

3. Keep Tires Properly Inflated

Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, lowering fuel efficiency. Check tire pressure regularly for optimal performance.

4. Lighten Your Load

Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle, such as heavy items in the trunk, to improve fuel economy.

5. Plan Efficient Routes

Avoid congested routes and traffic jams. Planning your trips to minimize stop-and-go driving will help save fuel and reduce your carbon footprint.