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The wheel &
tire experts at Hubcap Express answer some
of your frequently asked questions. |
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General Questions: |
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Q. When do
tires need to be replace? |
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A.
Tires are typically replaced when they are
worn or damaged. There are a number of
factors that can affect this including
storage, temperature, surfaces, punctures,
etc.
The usual recommendation for replacing tires
is when they no longer feel safe to the
driver. A typical set of tires under normal
driving conditions will last approximately
40,000 miles. Some tires are designed for
much longer, even up to 80,000 miles. If you
are unsure if your tires need replaced come
into Hubcap Express and speak with one of
our tire experts. |
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Q. How do
I determine my wheel / rim size? |
A.
DO NOT MEASURE RIM OR HUBCAP SIZE - A tape
measure will give you the WRONG size! It
will measure a little over an inch larger
than the actual wheel size.
Rim size is the diameter of the BEAD of the
TIRE, which cannot be measured without
removing the tire from the rim.
All tires have a "Size Series" printed on
them that contains the wheel / rim size.
This series of numbers usually begins with a
P (for Passenger) or LT (for Light Truck)
Examples: P185/70/R16. LT225/80/R16.
In this designation the two digit number
following the R denotes the Rim/ wheel size
is 16 inches. The R itself actually means it
is a Radial tire. |
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Q. Why do
hubcaps come off? |
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A.
Any number of reasons. The most common are:
1) damage from contact with a curb, 2)
faulty installation, and 3) broken retainer
clips or struts. Sometimes the impact from a
big pothole or speed bump can knock off a
hubcap. Heavier metal wheel covers come off
easier than lighter plastic ones. |
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Nitrogen Questions: |
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Q. Who
uses nitrogen in their tires? |
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A.
All commercial
aircraft, NASCAR, Indy, LeMans, Formula One,
the U.S. Military, NASA, even Lance
Armstrong and the Tour de France riders! |
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Q. What
are the benefits of nitrogen? |
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A.
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Better tire
pressure
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Cooler
running tires
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Elimination
of rim rust
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Improved
fuel economy
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Removal of
oxidation
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On-the-road
reliability
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Q. Once
filled with Nitrogen, will it hurt my tires
to fill them with "plain old air" if I have
an emergency? |
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A.
Until nitrogen tire inflation becomes more
commonplace, regular air is still better
than no air. However, the more air you put
in, the less benefit you'll get from the
nitrogen that remains in your tire. If you
add regular air to your tire, return to
Hubcap Express to have your tires refilled
with nitrogen |
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Wheel Vibration
Questions: |
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Q. I have
alot of vibration in my wheels, is this a
major problem? |
A.
Yes, today's cars and light trucks
are designed to ride smoothly and handle
safely. Unchecked, excessive wheel vibration
can result in:
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Excessive tire wear
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Damage to suspension & steering parts
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Unsafe steering and handling
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Unsafe driving conditions
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Wheel
to axle mounting error
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Brake
component wear or failure
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Drive
train engine component wear or failure
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Vehicle component characteristics
A knowledgeable technician
with proper training and equipment can
diagnose these problems. But the only
way to rule out all wheel-related vibration
is a computer simulated road test.
Hubcap Express is one of very few tire
service centers in Northeast Indiana to own
the Hunter GSP-9700 Road Force Measurement
System. This system uses a "road roller" to
perform a computer simulated road test,
isolating and measuring the exact cause of
wheel related vibration
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Q.
What
causes excessive wheel vibration? |
A.
At 60 MPH an average tire rotates
850 times per minute. At this speed slight
variations in balance, sidewall stiffness or
roundness can cause the wheel to literally
slam into the pavement
14 times a second.
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Q.
How is
excessive road force variation corrected? |
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A.
Excessive road force variation is
corrected by:
1. Aligning the high point or stiff spot in
the tire with the lowest spot in the rim can
make the wheel "round when rolling". This
procedure is called Forcematching©
and solves most vibration problems.
2. Tires or rims with
extreme runout or road force variation often
cannot be matched and must be replaced to
solve vibration problems. |
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Q.
How
often should I have my wheels checked for
excessive vibration? |
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A.
Follow the vehicle manufacturer's
recommendation noted in your owner's manual.
But whenever you notice excessive vibration
you should have a qualified technician
inspect your wheels. Gradual worsening of
wheel vibration can be difficult to notice,
so as a general rule have your tires checked
every 10,000 miles or at least once a year. |
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