Frequently asked questions about care

You should replace your tires when they're worn out or show any kind of damage. Damage can come from an impact, an obstacle, or a sharp object. In these cases the tires can lose grip and, as a result, compromise safety. Wear should be checked based on tread depth — the legal wear limit for car and pickup tires is 1.6 mm. We recommend taking your tire to be evaluated by a specialist.

The recommended pressure is on the driver's door label or in the vehicle's manual. Always check pressure with cold tires (at least 3 hours without driving). Don't use the maximum pressure listed on the tire's sidewall.

Yes, it's essential. Balancing prevents vibration and uneven wear. Alignment makes sure the wheels work at the correct angles, preventing premature wear and improving stability.

Pull over somewhere safe and switch to the spare tire. Don't drive on a flat or punctured tire, as it causes irreparable damage to the internal structure. Take the tire to a specialized shop for repair as soon as possible.

Yes, you need to have a specialist check them regularly, since tires wear down gradually. To keep the driver and passengers safe, you should check tread depth and condition, pressure, possible damage on the sidewalls, and any other sign of wear. With regular maintenance, tires will keep performing well until they need to be replaced. If the vehicle handles poorly in curves or on wet pavement, takes longer to brake, or vibrates excessively, it may be time to see a specialist to pinpoint the problem and, if needed, replace the tires.

Yes. To extend tire life, keep them inflated to the manufacturer's recommendation — always check pressure with the tires cold, after driving no more than 3 km. If you check pressure after driving a long way, the tire will be hot and the air inside will have expanded. It's also important to check the vehicle's geometry, such as alignment and balance, which helps prevent uneven tire wear.

Rotating your tires is necessary to keep front and rear wear even, since they wear differently regardless of the vehicle's make. It's recommended to rotate them between axles every 8,000 to 10,000 km (depending on the case), ideally with a specialist's guidance. When rotating, it's also recommended to do an alignment and balance, since any suspension misalignment can cause uneven wear and instability. One of the biggest benefits of rotation is fuel savings: tires in good condition and properly inflated can cut fuel consumption by up to 20%, besides helping preserve the tires themselves and the vehicle's suspension.

Checking and calibrating tire pressure correctly is above all a safety matter, and it also optimizes tire performance. Correct pressure is necessary for the vehicle to handle well (handling, braking, etc.) and to keep the tire in good condition. The pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer (listed in the owner's manual) should always be followed — pressure above or below that recommendation can change how the vehicle behaves. For your safety and comfort, we recommend checking your tire pressure at least every 15 days.

You should get an alignment at every periodic service specified by the vehicle manufacturer, or after hitting a pothole, curb or other object hard. It should also be done when replacing any suspension or steering component, when you notice unusual behavior in the vehicle (pulling to one side or trouble holding a straight line), when you notice uneven tire wear, and whenever tires are replaced.

Balancing should be done at every periodic service specified by the vehicle manufacturer, and whenever a tire is replaced. It's also worth checking if you feel any vibration in the steering wheel. Another good time to check is after replacing brake pads, suspension parts, etc.

The valve plays a very important role in vehicle safety and, as a result, fuel consumption. Even though the valve is completely separate from the tire, it deteriorates under high pressure and centrifugal force. That's why the valve should be replaced every time the tire is changed, so it doesn't compromise durability or the user's safety.

You never know when a tire is going to blow out. But if you follow these simple tips, you'll be ready for it:

• Keep a pair of sturdy gloves in your vehicle.
• Keep a trash bag in the vehicle to hold the tire you take off, in case it's covered in mud.
• Check that the jack is stable so the vehicle doesn't fall.
• Once you've put on the spare, drive at a moderate speed, since its internal pressure may be low.
• Stop at the first service station and inflate the spare to the correct pressure.
• Have a specialist properly refit the tire, to avoid damaging its mounting.

If your tires are losing air quickly, they may have a puncture, or there could be a problem with the valve or the rim. It's also possible the pressure just isn't right for them — every vehicle has its own spec, since each tire type and model calls for a specific pressure. The label with these specs is usually inside the door frame. We recommend visiting a trusted tire shop for a check as soon as possible.

On front-wheel-drive vehicles, yes. The front tires handle more load from traction and steering. That's why periodic rotation is important, to even out the wear.

We recommend rotating tires every 8,000 to 10,000 km or every 6 months, whichever comes first. Rotation helps even out wear and extends the life of the full set.

Ideally, use four matching tires. If you need to mix, at least keep the same pair (brand/model/size) on each axle. Never mix radial and conventional tires on the same axle.

Store tires somewhere cool, dry and dark, away from direct sunlight, heat sources and chemicals. Store them upright or stacked horizontally. If they're mounted on rims, you can hang them.

If you're only replacing two tires on your vehicle, it's best to move the ones that were on the back to the front, and install the new tires on the rear. That gives the vehicle better, safer control and improves stability, especially in tough situations (sudden braking or sharp turns) and on slippery surfaces. Since front tires wear out faster, every automaker and manufacturer recommends rotating your tires, which extends their lifespan.

Tire rotation means swapping the front tires with the rear tires on the same side — the front left moves to the rear left, for example. This can vary depending on the car's drivetrain and the tire model. Front tires generally wear faster because of traction and braking forces, which are stronger up front due to the engine's weight, and because the front tires take the lateral load in curves. That's why front tires wear out faster if they're never rotated, which can affect the vehicle's handling and, in turn, fuel consumption.

There's no problem replacing your vehicle's tires with Chinese-made ones, as long as the specifications are equal to or better than the originals (load index, speed index, construction type). Vehicle manufacturers themselves usually work with more than one tire supplier, always weighing quality, warranty and price. Another important factor is checking that the tire brand carries quality seals in line with the latest Inmetro standards, meets American requirements, and has been tested by well-known European laboratories, which gives it stronger warranty and quality backing.

Alignment is the process of adjusting a car's steering and suspension angles, and it's the most common type of tire maintenance. On most vehicles, alignment is done to minimize wear and maximize driver comfort. If it's skipped or done poorly, it can damage the vehicle, affecting balance, safety and handling.

Balancing is the process of evening out the vehicle's wheel-and-tire assembly. It's necessary to eliminate vibration, and it helps protect the tires and the suspension and steering components from premature wear. Vibration isn't always felt in the steering wheel, since the vehicle can filter it out — which is exactly why it's important to balance every tire.

People often confuse alignment and balancing, but they're actually completely different things. Alignment adjusts the angles of the wheels, keeping them perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Balancing lets a wheel spin without causing vibration at certain speeds. In other words: if you notice your car pulling right or left when you briefly let go of the steering wheel, you need to check the alignment. If you notice the steering wheel vibrating or the car making noise at certain speeds, you need to check the balance.

Properly cleaning your vehicle's tires and wheels matters a lot — it improves performance, giving the vehicle more efficient braking and traction. A buildup of dirt can corrode tires and shorten the life and effectiveness of brake pads. It's worth taking the time to wash them properly. There are plenty of products on the market made specifically for deep-cleaning tires and wheels, including sprays, creams and liquids.

The enemies of your tires' durability are:

• Physical factors, such as wear and damage, cuts and structural or sidewall cracks, plus impacts from potholes.
• Human factors — that is, not checking your tires regularly for wear and damage, keeping incorrect air pressure, mixing tire types, not replacing the valve, and so on.
• Environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures and contact with corrosive substances.