THE TIRE PATCH

TIRE SAFETY & MAINTENANCE

	THE BASIC CONSTRUCTION OF A CAR TIRE TREAD - THE PATTERNED PART OF THE TIRE THAT CONTACTS THE ROAD GIVING THE TIRE TRACTION. SIDEWALL - PROVIDES LATERAL STABILITY AND PROTECTS THE BODY PILES, AS WELL AS KEEPS THE AIR FROM ESCAPING BODY PLIES - LAYERS OF DIFFERENT FABRICS CALLED PLIES MAKE UP THE BODY OF THE TIRE. THE STRENGTH OF THE TIRE RELATES TO THE NUMBER OF PLIES THE TIRE HAS. THE COMMON CAR TIRE HAS TWO PLIES. STEEL BELTS - IN STEEL BELTED TIRES ONLY, THE BELTS REINFORCE THE TREAD AND PROVIDE PUNCTURE RESISTANCE. THE STEEL BELT ALSO HELPS THE TIRE TO STAY FLAT ON THE ROAD FOR OPTIMUM SURFACE CONTACT. BEAD BUNDLE -  A LOOP OF RUBBER COATED STEEL CABLE THAT GIVES A TIRE THE STRENGTH  NEEDED TO STAY SEATED ON THE WHEEL RIM ALLOWING IT TO HANDLE THE FORCES APPLIED BY TIRE MOUNTING MACHINES WHEN THE TIRES ARE INTALLED ON THE TIRE RIM.

	KEEP YOUR TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED Check the tire pressure at least once a month. Underinflation may cause wear more on the outside of your tires. Overinflation may cause tires to wear more in the center of the tread. The tire pressure should not exceed the maximum that is listed on the side of the tire. Correct Tire Inflation helps optimize tire performance and fuel economy, as well as, tire durability. Replace or repair damaged or worn tires as soon as possible. Worn tires are unsafe and min. legal tire tread depth is 2/32". Less than 4/32" of tread may cause hydroplaning on wet roads.

	DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR TIRES  !     THE PENNY TEST - To determine if the tire tread is worn out. Place a penny into the most shallow tread groove with Lincoln's  head down. If the top of his head remains visible, then the tire  should be replaced. VISUALLY INSPECT YOUR TIRES CHECK YOUR TIRE'S WEAR BARS - Wear bars are the small narrow bands in the grooves across the tread of your tires. When the wear bars are even with the tread, the tread depth remaining is approximately 2/32". If you can see the wear bars, it's time to replace the tires.

	READ YOUR VEHICLE'S OWNER MANUAL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TIRE MAINTENANCE, PROPER INFLATION  AND LOAD REQUIREMENTS.     GOOD TIRES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ! "DON'T PUT OFF REPLACING OR REPAIRING YOUR TIRES" THEY ARE WHAT'S KEEPING YOU SAFELY ON THE ROAD...