Maintenance Procedures: Tires

Description

Tires are designed and engineered for each specific vehicle. They provide the best overall performance for normal operation. The ride and handling characteristics match the vehicles requirements. With proper care they will give excellent reliability, traction, skid resistance, and tread life.

Driving habits have more effect on tire life than any other factor. Careful drivers will obtain, in most cases, much greater mileage than severe use or careless drivers. A few of the driving habits which will shorten the life of any tire are:

Rapid acceleration.
Severe application of brakes.
High-speed driving.
Taking turns at excessive speeds.
Striking curbs and other obstacles.
Operating vehicle with over or under inflated tire pressures.

Radial ply tires are more prone to irregular tread wear. It is important to follow the tire rotation interval shown in the information on tire rotation. This will help to achieve a greater tread-life potential.

Identification

Tire type, size, load index and speed rating are encoded in the letters and numbers imprinted on the side wall of the tire. Refer to the Tire Identification chart to decipher the code. >>For example purposes<<, the tire size P225/60 R 16 97 T is used in the chart. An all season type tire will also have either M + S, M & S or M - S (indicating mud and snow traction) imprinted on the side wall. An Extra or Light Load marking "XL" or "LL" may also be listed on the sidewall. The absence of an "XL" or "LL" marking infers a standard load tire.

Tire Identification

>>P<<	TIRE TYPE (Not present on all tires)	P - Passenger
		T - Temporary
		C - Commercial
		LT - Light Truck
>>225<<	SECTIONAL WIDTH	SHOWN IN MILLIMETERS
>>60<<	ASPECT RATIO	SECTIONAL HEIGHT ÷ SECTIONAL WIDTH *
>>R<<	CONSTRUCTION TYPE	R - RADIAL
		B - BIAS BELTED
		D - DIAGONAL (BIAS)
>>16<<	WHEEL DIAMETER	SHOWN IN INCHES
>>97<<	LOAD INDEX	**
>>T<<	SPEED RATING	**

Fig 1: Identifying Tire Aspect Ratio

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF AMERICA, INC.

1 - SECTIONAL WIDTH

2 - SECTIONAL HEIGHT

NOTE:

* Height (2) ÷ Width (1) = Aspect Ratio.

NOTE:

** Consult the tire manufacturer regarding any questions on tire specifications or capabilities.

Chains

Refer to the owners manual supplied with the vehicle to determine whether the use of tire chains is permitted on this vehicle.