A tire placard is really just a fancy name for a tire information label. This label contains several key pieces of information: (1) the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended psi (pounds per square inch) or kilopascals (kPa) of air pressure for your vehicle’s tires, (2) the maximum weight (or “load”) you should have in your vehicle. Load or weight limits are usually given in terms of number of occupants or total weight (in pounds or kilograms) and (3) the recommended tire size.

You’ll find the label located inside the driver’s side doorframe or doorpost. It may also be affixed to the edge of the driver’s door or the inside of the glove-box door or trunk lid. Next time you get in your vehicle, take a moment to locate your vehicle’s tire placard and make a note of the correct tire pressure and load limits for your vehicle. The same information is also located in your owner’s manual.

 

The psi, or pounds per square inch, number on your tire placard or label represents the pressure you should fill your vehicle’s tires with to ensure tire safety. Under- and overinflating tires can both be safety hazards. Overinflating tires can adversely affect vehicle maneuverability, make the ride harsher, and sometimes lead to loss of control and crashes. Underinflating tires – a potentially more serious problem – can result in tire stress due to overheating, irregular wear of tread, tire failure, and sometimes loss of driver control and crashes. So obviously you’ll want to know the correct psi for your vehicle, check your tire pressure at least once a month with a tire gauge, and adjust tire pressure accordingly.

 

Keep in mind that a tire doesn’t have to be punctured by a foreign object, such as a nail, to lose air. All tires will naturally lose some air over time. In fact, underinflation is a leading cause of tire failure. So it’s advisable to check the pressure in all your tires, including the spare, at least once a month. There’s nothing wrong with checking more often. Circumstances may call for more frequent checks. For instance, checking pressure after driving on poor road surfaces or before embarking on a long road trip are good safety practices. Finally, always remember to use a tire gauge: you cannot tell if a tire is underinflated simply by looking at, kicking, or pressing on a tire.

 

While some people think that the term “cold” tire relates to the outside temperature, it really has nothing to do with the weather. It can be 90 degrees outside and your tires can still be considered cold. Rather, a cold tire is one that hasn’t been driven on for at least 3 hours, which is the optimal time to get an accurate pressure reading. A tire that has been driven on for short distances — even just 1 mile — is no longer considered “cold.”

 

Tires are manufactured for many different vehicle makes and models of vehicles. And the psi number on the side of a tire only reflects the “maximum permissible” inflation pressure for that tire — not necessarily the correct psi for your vehicle. When filling your tires, always follow your vehicle manufacturer’s psi recommendations. You’ll find this psi number on your vehicle’s tire information label, as well as in your vehicle owner’s manual.

 

 When you perform your monthly tire pressure check with a gauge, it’s also important to visually inspect your tires. Look for and remove any foreign objects or debris that might have become wedged between the tire treads. Check for irregular wear patterns. Irregular wear patterns may mean your tires need rotating and/or your wheels need to be realigned. Take your vehicle in for servicing to correct these problems. If your tread depth is less than 2/32 (or 1/16) of an inch, it’s time to replace your tires.

 

Check your vehicle owner’s manual for specific recommendations on rotation timelines and patterns. In general, most vehicle manufacturers recommend rotating your vehicle’s tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. If you don’t rotate your vehicle’s tires, the difference is tread wear between the front and rear tires could eventually lead to adverse vehicle handling.

 

Be sure to replace your tires when the tread wears down to 2/32 (or 1/16) of an inch. The tire’s built-in tread wear indicators, or “wear bars,” can tell you it’s time to replace your tires. When the tire tread becomes level with the “wear bars,” your tires only have 2/32 (or 1/16) of an inch of tread left and therefore should be replaced.

You can also use a Lincoln penny to determine when it’s time to replace your tires. Turn the penny so that Lincoln’s head is pointing down and insert it into the tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace your tires. “Bald” tires have a noticeably smooth surface caused by excessive wear beyond the 2/32 (or 1/16) of an inch replacement point. Such tires have reduced traction, which can lead to vehicle loss of control during braking and turning maneuvers.

 

A blowout is a rapid loss of tire air pressure. This sudden loss of air pressure from a tire can cause a vehicle to lose control.

 

The goal in any rapid loss of tire pressure or “blowout” is to keep the vehicle balanced and controllable. Do not panic. Any over-reaction by the driver – including slamming on the brakes or abruptly removing your foot from the accelerator – can result in a loss of vehicle control.

In any blowout situation, it’s most important to first remember the 2 things you should NOT do: