ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
TIRE & SAFETY INFORMATION
This portion of the Owner’s Manual contains tire safety information as required by 49 CFR 575.6. The
National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) can be contacted at 1-888-327-4236. Their website is
SECTION ONE
The National Traffic Safety (NHTSA) has published a brochure (DOT HS 809 361) that discusses all
aspects of Tire Safety, as required by CFR 575.6. This brochure is reproduced in part below. It can be
obtained and downloaded from NHTSA, free of charge, from the following website: https://
one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/brochure.html
Studies of tire safety show that maintaining proper tire pressure, observing tire and vehicle load limits,
avoiding road hazards, and inspecting tires for cuts, slashes, and other irregularities are the most
important things you can do to avoid tire failure, such as tread separation or blowout, and flat tires.
These actions, along with other care and maintenance activities, can also:
Improve vehicle handling.
Help protect you and others from avoidable breakdowns and accidents.
Improve fuel economy.
Increase the life of your tires.
This section presents a comprehensive overview of tire safety, including information on the following
topics:
Basic tire maintenance.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading System.
Fundamental characteristics of tires.
Tire safety tips.
Use this information to make tire safety a regular part of your vehicle maintenance routine. Recognize
that the time you spend is minimal compared with the inconvenience and safety consequences of a flat
tire or other tire failure.
Safety First-Basic Tire Maintenance
Properly maintained tires improve the steering, stopping, traction, and load-carrying capability of your
vehicle. Under-inflated tires and overloaded vehicles are a major cause of tire failure. Therefore, as
mentioned above, to avoid flat tires and other types of tire failure, you must maintain proper tire
pressure, observe tire and vehicle load limits, avoid road hazards, and regularly inspect your tires.
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