TYRE CARE & maintenance - For maximum life and performance
To obtain maximum life and performance, tyre/tube care and maintenance is very important. For proper tyre/tube care & maintenance, Bridgestone recommends the following:
Proper Tyre Mounting and De-Mounting
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For optimum radial advantage, mount vehicle with full set of Bridgestone radials at both axles and at spare position. Mixed use of bias and radial tyres on the same vehicle is not recommended.
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Always use a new tube for a new tyre.
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Tyres/Tubes should be of the same brand.
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Always use the designated tube for the particular type and size of tyre being used.
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Always use correct combination of the tyre and rim.
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Rim should be free of dirt and rust and should be free of bends.
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Rim valve hole should be round and smooth.
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Clean tyre interiors before placing the tube inside.
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Use mounting machines as much as possible for tyre mounting and de-mounting. Avoid use of chisel and hammer.
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Lubricate tyre beads with mild soap solution before mounting and de-mounting.
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Before inflating the tyre, check whether the beads are seating correctly on the rim seats.
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Never exceed 44 psi (3.0 kgf/cm2) to seat the beads. After beads are seated adjust inflation pressure to the level recommended by vehicle manufacturer.
Tyre Balancing
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An un-balanced wheel may cause vibration to the vehicle. So it is recommended to balance the tyre-rim assembly under the following situations:
• If some vibrations are felt
• Mounting/De-mounting
• After every 5,000 kms.
Tyre Rotation
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Rotate tyre positions if any irregular wear is found on any of the tyre or after every 5,000 kms. The first rotation is important as it sets the stage for long and even tyre wear.
Click here for recommend tyre rotation methods.
Wheel Alignment
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Always maintain proper wheel alignment.
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Wheel alignment should be done after every 5,000 kms. or whenever any irregular wear on tyre is found.
Daily Tyre Check
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Every morning before starting the vehicle, check the exterior of your tyre. If the damages exposing the ply cord and/or steel belt are visible, remove the tyre and consult with a tyre specialist. Remove stones or nails which are entrapped in the tread of the tyre.
Tyre Change
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The tyre being used currently should be replaced with a new tyre when the tread wear indicator (1.6mm height) is exposed.
Inflation Pressure Maintenance
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Always maintain inflation pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
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Inflation pressure should be checked when the tyre is cold.
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Check inflation pressure every week and before long trips.
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Watch for air leakage. The valve core should be renewed and lost valve cap should be replaced.
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New tyres tend to expand during a certain initial period and increase its volume. This decreases the inner pressure, so frequent checking is recommended up to 3000 kms.
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Keep the inflation pressure of the spare tyre 5 psi (3.0 kgf/cm2) higher than the recommended pressure and before using, bring inflation pressure to the recommended pressure.
