Buying Tires
You should always check your tires in several tread locations. Be sure to check the inner, outer, and middle grooves of each tire, as tires can wear differently on each side due to improper wheel alignment and/or low inflation.
For professional help, visit a Goodyear store for a free inspection by our experts.
- Look for tires that excel in tests for braking and handling.
- Let tread wear, ride comfort, noise, and rolling resistance help narrow your choices.
- Choosing a vehicle tire depends on where you live, weather and terrain issues, what performance expectations you have, and what your vehicle requires.
Long Car Ride: Trip Checklist
Check your:
- Tires’ air pressure. Smooth driving starts with your tires. Check your tire air pressure before your trip and at least once a month. NOTE: Tire inflation pressure should always be adjusted only when the tire is cool, and should be done to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. NEVER inflate beyond the maximum limit stamped on the tire sidewall1
- Air filter. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage that translates to fuel savings for you.
- Spark plugs. Worn or dirty spark plugs can cause misfiring, which wastes fuel. Replacing these per your vehicle’s owner’s manual can lead to a better performing vehicle and a better driving experience for you.
- Gas cap. Damaged, loose, or missing gas caps waste gas.
1 “Be Tire Smart,” Rubber Manufacturer’s Association.
Tips to Maximise Tire Life
- Check your tire pressure every 3,000 mi./4,500 km to keep your vehicle driving smoothly and evenly, therefore using gas more efficiently. NOTE: Tires should be inflated when cool to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. NEVER inflate beyond the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall1.
- Rotate your tires every 6,000 – 8,000 mi./ 10,000 – 13,000 km to help equalise tread wear.
- Get your wheel alignment checked as specified in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, or as soon as you can feel the wheel “pull”.
- Visually check your tires for irregularities in tread wear as these could indicate problems with alignment or inflation.
- For more information, visit our Personal Tire Care section.
1“Be Tire Smart,” Rubber Manufacturer’s Association
- Improper tire pressure can lead to a multitude of problems – from uneven and accelerated tire wear, to structural damage, and even poor gas mileage. Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage and save you money at the pump.
- Goodyear recommends checking tire inflation monthly, or before a long trip. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard, or in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
- Proper vehicle and tire maintenance is a good investment because it translates into optimum driving performance, significant cost savings, and better fuel mileage.
Maintenance
Always check inflation when tires are cold (i.e. when the vehicle has been driven for less than a mile or one hour or more after driving). Use a good quality tire gauge. Remember that it’s natural for radial tires to have a slight bulge in the sidewall at their proper inflation pressure. Check or adjust inflation every few weeks, before any long trip or if travelling with a heavy load. And don’t forget to check the spare! Your Goodyear dealer can answer any questions you have about tire inflation.
Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. Your vehicle may need a front-end alignment or a four-wheel alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The moderate cost of aligning your vehicle pays for itself in tire mileage, performance and comfort. Goodyear retailers provide expert alignment and suspension service.
Also, never repair tires that are worn below 1.6mm in tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tire is always on hand. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it’s in good shape. Also remember to check the spare tire’s sidewall for correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations.
This method ensures a more even and uniform tread wear pattern for all four tyres. The only exception to this would be when using “directional” tread design tyres. These tyres should remain on the same side of the vehicle and be rotated straight forward and straight back.
If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, we recommend crossing both pairs of tyres to their new axle positions.
Tyre rotation should happen at least every 10,000km for regular vehicles and every 6,000km for four-wheel drive vehicles.
Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s rotation recommendations. The first rotation is the most important. When tyres are rotated, inflation pressures must also be adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
However, any tire wear concern should always be presented to your local authorised Goodyear retailer for further evaluation.
Many of our authorised retailers offer specific mileage warranties on several lines of tires sold as replacement, including some that are used as original equipment. These mileage warranties are administered based on the retail outlet's verification of proper tire maintenance performed.
- Don’t speed. Excessive heat is generated when driving at high speeds. This heat increases the rate of tire wear and reduces the tire’s durability.
- Avoid fast turns on curves and around corners, fast starts and panic stops
- Don’t ride on the edge of the pavement or drive over curbs, chuckholes, or other obstructions.
- Tire section width in mm
- Section height to section width ratio expressed as %.
- Tire construction (R=Radial)
- Rim diameter in inches
- Maximum load capacity (load index)
- Speed rating
- TUBELESS tire
- Location of tread wear indicator
- ECE Type approval mark and number
- M&S (Mud & Snow) Winter capabilities
- Production Date (week, year)
- Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) compliance symbol
- D.O.T manufacturer code
- Country of origin
- Trade name
- Tire construction details (D.O.T.)
- Load and pressure marking (D.O.T.)
- Tire type (radial)
- Mark required by USA Consumer information regulations (Quality Grade)