Ten Taboos in Tire Use

　　Some people liken tires to the shoes we wear, which is not entirely off the mark. However, we rarely hear of fatalities caused by shoe soles bursting, whereas reports of tire blowouts resulting in vehicle destruction and loss of life are all too common. Statistical data show that on highways, more than 70 percent of traffic accidents are attributable to tire failures. From this perspective, the importance of tires to a vehicle far outweighs the significance of shoes to a person.

　　Yet before setting out, drivers typically limit themselves to inspecting and servicing the engine, brakes, steering, and lights, while overlooking tire checks and maintenance—actions that can create significant safety risks. This article outlines ten common mistakes to avoid when using tires, hoping to offer some guidance for your driving experience.

　　1. Avoid overinflating tires. Each vehicle manufacturer specifies recommended tire pressures; always adhere to these guidelines and never exceed the maximum limit. Overinflation concentrates the vehicle’s weight on the center of the tread, leading to rapid wear in that area. It also makes the tire more susceptible to external impacts, potentially causing damage or even a blowout. Excessive tension can result in tread delamination and cracking at the bottom of the tread grooves. Additionally, it reduces traction, diminishes braking performance, increases vehicle jolting, compromises ride comfort, and places undue stress on the suspension system.

　　2. Avoid underinflated tires. Insufficient tire pressure can cause overheating. Low pressure leads to uneven contact with the road, resulting in tread or carcass delamination, cracking of the tread grooves and shoulder areas, cord breakage, and rapid wear on the tire shoulders—shortening the tire’s service life. It also increases abnormal friction between the tire bead and the rim, potentially damaging the bead or causing the tire to separate from the rim, and even leading to a blowout. Additionally, it raises rolling resistance, increases fuel consumption, and compromises vehicle handling; in severe cases, this can even result in traffic accidents.

　　3. Avoid judging tire pressure by eye. Tires typically lose about 0.7 kg/cm² of pressure each month, and tire pressure fluctuates with temperature: for every 10°C rise or fall, pressure changes by approximately 0.07–0.14 kg/cm². Always measure tire pressure when the tires are cool, and be sure to replace the valve caps after measurement. Make it a habit to regularly check your tire pressure with a gauge—never rely on visual inspection. Sometimes a significant amount of air has leaked out, yet the tires may not appear noticeably deflated. Check your tire pressure at least once a month, including the spare.

　　4. Avoid treating the spare tire as a regular tire. During vehicle use, once the mileage reaches 100,000 to 80,000 kilometers, some drivers may start using the spare tire as if it were a fully functional one and reserve the original tires for the spare—this practice is strongly discouraged. Since the two sets of tires have been in service for different lengths of time and have aged unevenly, such an arrangement is highly unsafe.

　　When a tire goes flat on the road, most drivers simply swap it for the spare. But some forget to remove the spare afterward, overlooking that it’s only meant to be used in an emergency.

　　5. Avoid uneven tire pressure between the left and right sides. When one side’s tire pressure is too low, the vehicle will pull toward that side during driving and braking. Also, ensure that the two tires on the same axle have identical tread patterns and specifications; tires from different manufacturers or with different tread designs should never be used on both front wheels, as this can also cause the vehicle to pull to one side.

　　6. Avoid overloading tires. A tire’s structure, strength, and recommended inflation pressure and speed are rigorously calculated by the manufacturer; using a tire beyond these specifications will shorten its service life. According to tests conducted by relevant authorities: a 10% overload reduces tire life by 20%, while a 30% overload increases rolling resistance by 45%–60% and also leads to higher fuel consumption. Moreover, overloading is strictly prohibited by law.

　　7. Avoid failing to promptly remove foreign objects from your tires. During driving, road surfaces vary widely, and debris such as gravel, nails, metal shavings, and glass fragments inevitably becomes lodged in the tire tread. If left unattended, some of these objects will eventually fall out on their own, but others can become increasingly stubborn, embedding themselves deeper and deeper in the tread. Once the tire reaches a certain level of wear, these embedded objects may even puncture the tire carcass, leading to air leakage or even a blowout.

　　8. Avoid neglecting your spare tire simply because you don’t use it. Spare tires are typically stored in the trunk, which often also holds lubricants and other petroleum products. Since rubber is the primary material of tires, it is highly susceptible to degradation from oils and greases; if a tire comes into contact with oil, it can quickly swell and deteriorate, significantly shortening its service life. Therefore, try not to store oils and the spare tire together. If the spare tire does get contaminated with oil, promptly clean off the residue using a neutral detergent.

　　Whenever you check your tire pressure, don’t forget to inspect the spare tire as well. Be sure to inflate the spare to a slightly higher pressure than recommended to prevent it from losing air over time.

　　9. Avoid keeping tire pressure constant. When driving on highways, it is generally advisable to increase tire pressure by 10% to reduce heat generated by flexing, thereby enhancing driving safety.

　　In winter, it’s also advisable to slightly increase tire pressure. With lower outdoor temperatures, tires naturally lose air pressure due to thermal expansion and contraction. If you don’t adjust the pressure accordingly, not only will fuel consumption rise, but tire wear will accelerate as well. However, overinflating the tires is equally problematic, as it significantly reduces friction between the tires and the road surface, compromising braking performance.

　　10. Avoid using retreaded tires carelessly. Retreaded tires should not be fitted to the front wheels, nor should they be used for extended periods on highways. If the tire sidewall is damaged, the sidewall—being relatively thin and the area of greatest deformation during use—bears significant circumferential stresses from the internal air pressure; therefore, the tire should be replaced.