Tire Inflation
For safety, always use a protective cover when inflating tires.
New tires should be inflated according to the GB standards.
Before installing an inner tube in a new tire, check for any foreign objects inside. Tighten the valve stem nut to prevent air leakage.
The air used for inflation should be free from moisture and oil to ensure it remains dry.
Ensure the pressure gauge is accurate and check it regularly.
After inflating to the standard pressure, let the tire sit for 15 minutes before adjusting the pressure to allow the air to cool and stabilize.
Rotate tires regularly to prevent uneven wear. Typically, rotate tires every 8,000–12,000 kilometers.
For long-distance or highway driving, especially during summer, check tire pressure frequently and take appropriate breaks. If tire pressure needs to be topped up, wait until the tire cools down before inflating. If the tire is hot or the internal pressure is high, stop to rest and allow it to cool. Do not deflate or pour cold water on the tire.
Regularly check the valve stem for deformation or air leaks.
Tire Maintenance
Primary Maintenance
Check the tightness of lug nuts, whether the valve stem is leaking, and if the valve caps are present.
Check for debris in the tread grooves and look for delamination or other faults caused by foreign objects.
Verify that the tire matching is correct and the rim lock ring is functioning properly.
Check if the tire pressure is within the proper range.
Inspect the spare tire to ensure it is in good condition.
Secondary Maintenance
After removing the tire, measure the external diameter (for rotation and matching).
Dismount and inspect the tire and rim, checking for delamination, toe wear, internal damage, or damage to the inner tube or band. Ensure the valve stem is intact, the rim lock ring is undamaged, and rust is removed from the rim. Inspect bolt holes on the rim for wear or cracks and clear any debris from the tread grooves.
Properly reassemble and inflate the tire, ensuring no one is standing on the tire during inflation.
Perform regular tire rotations.
Tire Dismounting
Dismount tires in a clean environment.
Use specialized tools for dismounting and mounting.
When dismounting tires without inner tubes, use appropriate toe lubricants to avoid causing mechanical damage to the toe.
The outer and inner rim pads must meet the required standards for proper assembly.
Ensure the valve stem is aligned with the tire's light marking to reduce imbalance in the tire and wheel assembly.
Check for moisture inside the tire.
For tires with inner tubes, it’s best to perform two inflation cycles during installation to avoid mechanical damage to the toe. The rim and lock ring must be installed correctly.
Tread Pattern Characteristics
Longitudinal Tread Pattern: Excellent handling safety, low rolling resistance, low noise, good drainage, and resistant to lateral slip.
Transverse Tread Pattern: Superior drive, braking, and traction performance, with good wear resistance.
Hybrid Tread Pattern: Combines the advantages of longitudinal and transverse patterns.
Off-road Tread Pattern: Designed for dry, wet, rugged mountain roads, and muddy or sandy surfaces.
Directional Tread Pattern: These tires have a specific direction of rotation for optimal traction and drainage performance. Installation requires attention to the directional markings on the sidewall.
Vehicle Alignment Check Process
Tire Use and Maintenance
1. Storage
Tires should be stored indoors, away from sunlight and rain.
Keep tires away from heat sources, electrical equipment, and areas that produce ozone.
Tires should not be stored near oil, flammable materials, or chemical corrosives.
Store tires upright; do not store them flat, stacked, or hanging by the center.
Tires should be used in a "first-in, first-out" order based on their manufacturing and storage dates. The storage period should not exceed three years.
2. Air Pressure
Inflate tires according to the pressure-load reference chart in the national standards.
After inflation, check for any leaks. If a leak is found, repair it immediately.
Maintain proper internal pressure during use. For long-term use or operation, check the tire pressure regularly. When parked for extended periods, lift the front and rear axles.
High pressure can cause excessive wear on the tread and lead to blowouts, while low pressure can cause shoulder wear, deformation, and flat spots.
For dual tires, ensure both tires are inflated to the same pressure to avoid mismatched pressures.
3. Speed
Tires have different speed ratings; exceeding the speed limit can cause premature tire damage.
Avoid driving at excessive speeds on rough roads, and minimize hard braking or sharp turns.
Tires heat up during high-speed driving, and if they overheat, take measures to prevent tire rupture.
Perform dynamic balance testing, weighting, and calibration for high-speed tires and rim assemblies.
4. Tread Patterns
Longitudinal Tread: Low resistance and high speed, suitable for hard surfaces like cement and asphalt.
Transverse Tread: Strong grip, excellent uphill performance, ideal for China’s road conditions.
Hybrid Tread: Combines the benefits of both longitudinal and transverse patterns.
Off-road Tread: Suitable for unpaved or rough road conditions.
Worn Tread: Replace the tire once the tread has worn down to the wear indicators.
5. Load
Tire load capacity must meet current national standards, and overloading is prohibited.
Cargo should be evenly distributed to avoid unbalanced loads.
Excessive overload can lead to abnormal tread wear, shoulder wear, delamination, and toe blowouts.
High-load tires should not be driven at high speeds.
Heavy-duty tires can handle increased loads as per the design standards.
6. Assembly
Tires must be mounted on the appropriate vehicle type and rims. Use specialized tools and equipment for mounting and dismounting. Do not use force.
For the same axle, tires should have the same size, structure, pattern, and ply rating.
Do not mix bias-ply and radial-ply tires.
When installing directional tires, ensure the rotation direction matches the vehicle’s direction of travel.
When mounting tires for construction machinery or tubeless tires, follow the respective guidelines.
Install anti-skid chains symmetrically and remove them immediately after use.
7. Inner Tubes
Use the correct size inner tube for the tire.
If the inner tube leaks, it can cause early tire damage.
Butyl rubber inner tubes are resistant to high temperatures, offer better air retention, and should be used for high-speed tires.
Inner tubes should be inflated to a proper level when stored and should not be folded or stored flat. If not stored separately, they should be placed inside the tire and inflated properly.
8. Dual Tire Management
Minimize the difference in external diameter between dual tires. The smaller diameter tire should be mounted on the inside.
9. Rotation
Tires should be rotated regularly.
For passenger vehicle tires, rotate every 8,000 km.
For heavy-duty vehicles and construction machinery, rotation should be done during the first-level maintenance or when uneven wear occurs.
For industrial tires, perform lateral rotation after a certain period of usage.