Get Wheels and Tires Guide for Suzuki Alto 4 Door Fifth Generation (1998-2003)

It is recommended that new tires be installed in pairs on the same

axle. If necessary to replace only one tire, it should be paired with

the tire having the most tread, to equalize braking traction.

The metric term for tire inflation pressure is the kilopascal (kPa).

Tire pressures is usually printed in both kPa and psi on the tire plac-

ard.

Metric tire gauges are available from tool suppliers.

The chart, shown table, converts commonly used inflation pressur-

es from kPa to psi.

WARNING:

Do not mix different types of tires on the same vehicle

such as radial, bias and bias-belted tires except in emer-

gencies, because handling may be seriously affected

and may result in loss of control.

kPa kgf/cm

psi

160

180

200

220

240

260

280

300

1.6

1.8

2.0

2.2

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

REPLACEMENT WHEELS

Wheels must be replaced if they are bent, dented, have excessive

lateral or radial runout, leak air through welds, have elongated bolt

holes, if lug nuts won’t stay tight, or if they are heavily rusted.

Wheels with greater runout than shown in figure may cause objec-

tional vibrations.

Replacement wheels must be equivalent to the original equipment

wheels in load capacity, diameter, rim width, offset and mounting

configuration. A wheel of improper size or type may affect wheel

and bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer/odometer calibra-

tion, vehicle ground clearance and tire clearance to body and chas-

sis.

HOW TO MEASURE WHEEL RUNOUT

To measure the wheel runout, it is necessary to use an accurate

dial indicator. The tire may be on or off the wheel. The wheel should

be installed to the wheel balancer of the like for proper measure-

ment.

Take measurements of both lateral runout (1) and radial runout (2)

at both inside and outside of the rim flange. With the dial indicator

set in place securely, turn the wheel one full revolution slowly and

record every reading of the indicator.

When the measured runout exceeds the specification and correc-

tion by the balancer adjustment is impossible, replace the wheel.

If the reading is affected by welding, paint or scratch, it should be

ignored.

* TOTAL INDICATOR READING

IGNORE INDICATOR “JUMP”

DUE TO WELD SEAMS, PAINT

RUNS, SCRATCHES, ETC.

Radial

runout limit

Lateral

runout limit

1.14 mm

(0.045 in.)

1.40 mm

(0.055 in.)

Steel wheel

3F-2 WHEELS AND TIRES

MAINTENANCE AND MINOR

ADJUSTMENTS

WHEEL MAINTENANCE

Wheel repairs that use welding, heating, or peening are not ap-

proved. All damaged wheels should be replaced.

WHEEL ATTACHING STUDS

If a broken stud is found, refer to WHEEL BEARING AND WHEEL

STUD in Section 3D (front) or 3E, 3E1 (rear) for replacement of it.

MATCHED TIRES AND WHEELS

Tires and wheels are matchmounted at the assembly plant.

This means that the radially stiffest part of the tire, or “high spot”,

is matched to the smallest radius or “low spot” of the wheel.

This is done to provide the smoothest possible ride.

The “high spot” of the tire is originally marked by paint dot (1) on

the outboard sidewall. This paint dot will eventually wash off the

tire.

The “low spot” of the wheel is originally marked by paint dot (2) on

the wheel rim-flange. Properly assembled, the wheel rim’s paint

dot should be aligned with the tire’s paint dot as shown in figure.

Whenever a tire is dismounted from its wheel, it should be re-

mounted so that the tire and wheel are matched. If the tire’s paint

dot cannot be located, a line should be scribed on the tire and

wheel before dismounting to assure that it is remounted in the

same position.

WHEELS AND TIRES 3F-3

TIRE PLACARD

The tire placard is located on the center pillar for driver’s side and

should be referred to for tire information.

The placard lists the maximum load, tire size and cold tire pressure

where applicable.

NOTE:

Whether rim size and/or maximum load are listed or not de-

pends on regulations of each country.

TIRE ROTATION

To equalize wear, rotate tires periodically as shown.

NOTE:

Due to their design, tires tend to wear faster in the shoulder

area, particularly in front positions. This makes regular rota-

tion especially necessary.

FRONT FRONT

5 WHEEL ROTATION

[Radial Tires]

5 WHEEL ROTATION

[Bias Tires]

3F-4 WHEELS AND TIRES

INFLATION OF TIRES

The pressure recommended for any model is carefully calculated to give a satisfactory ride, stability, steering, tread

wear, tire life and resistance to bruises.

Tire pressure, with tires cold, (after vehicle has set for three hours or more, or driven less than one mile) should

be checked monthly or before any extended trip. Set to the specifications on the tire placard.

It is normal for tire pressure to increase 28 kPa (4psi) when the tires become hot during driving.

Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. Bleeding reduces the “Cold Inflation Pressure”.

Higher than recommended pressure can cause:

1. Hard ride

2. Tire bruising or carcass damage

3. Rapid tread wear at center of tire

Unequal pressure on same axle can cause:

1. Uneven braking

2. Steering lead

3. Reduced handling

4. Swerve on acceleration

Lower than recommended pressure can cause:

1. Tire squeal on turns

2. Hard Steering

3. Rapid and uneven wear on the edges of the tread

4. Tire rim bruises and rupture

5. Tire cord breakage

6. High tire temperature

7. Reduced handling

8. High fuel consumption

Valve caps should be on the valves to keep dust and water out.

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

SERVICE OPERATIONS

METRIC LUG NUTS AND WHEEL STUDS

All models use metric lug nuts and wheel studs (size: M12 y 1.25).

WHEEL REMOVAL

1) Loosen wheel nuts by approximately 1805 (half a rotation).

2) Hoist vehicle.

3) Remove wheel.

CAUTION:

Never use heat to loosen tight wheel because applica-

tion of heat to wheel can shorten life of wheel and

damage wheel bearings.

Wheel nuts must be tightened in sequence and to proper torque to

avoid bending wheel or brake drum or disc.

NOTE:

Before installing wheels, remove any build-up of corrosion on

wheel mounting surface and brake drum or disc mounting

surface by scraping and wire brushing. Installing wheels with-

out good metal-to-metal contact at mounting surfaces can

cause wheel nuts to loosen, which can later allow a wheel to

come off while vehicle is moving.

Tightening Torque

(a): 55 N·m (5.5 kg-m, 40.0 lb-ft)

TIRE MOUNTING AND DEMOUNTING

Use a tire changing machine to mount or demount tires. Follow

equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use hand tools or

tire irons alone to change tires as they may damage tire beads or

wheel rim.

Rim bead seats should be cleaned with a wire brush or coarse steel

wool to remove lubricants, old rubber and light rust. Before mount-

ing or demounting a tire, bead area should be well lubricated with

approved tire lubricant.

WHEELS AND TIRES 3F-5

After mounting, inflate to specified pressure shown on tire placard

so that beads are completely seated.

Install valve core and inflate to proper pressure.

WARNING:

Do not stand over tire when inflating. Bead may break

when bead snaps over rim’s safety hump and cause seri-

ous personal injury.

Do not exceed specified pressure when inflating. If spe-

cified pressure will not seat beads, deflate, re-lubricate

and reinflate.

Over inflation may cause bead to break and cause seri-

ous personal injury.

TIRE REPAIR

There are many different materials and techniques on the market

to repair tires. As not all of these work on all types of tires, tire

manufacturers have published detailed instructions on how and

when to repair tires. These instructions can be obtained from each

tire manufacturer.

BALANCING WHEELS

There are two types of wheel and tire balance: static and dynamic.

Static balance, is the equal distribution of weight around the wheel.

Wheels that are statically unbalanced cause a bouncing action

called tramp. This condition will eventually cause uneven tire wear.

STATIC UNBALANCE CORRECTION

Dynamic balance is the equal distribution of weight on each side

of the wheel centerline so that when the tire spins there is no ten-

dency for the assembly to move from side to side. Wheels that are

dynamically unbalanced may cause shimmy.

DYNAMIC UNBALANCE CORRECTION

3F-6 WHEELS AND TIRES

WHEELS AND TIRES 3F-7

GENERAL BALANCE PROCEDURES

Deposits of mud, etc. must be cleaned from inside of rim.

WARNING:

Stones should be removed from the tread in order to avoid operator injury during spin balancing and

to obtain good balance.

Each tire should be inspected for any damage, then balanced according to equipment manufacturer’s recommen-

dation.

OFF-VEHICLE BALANCING

Most electronic off-vehicle balancers are more accurate than the on-vehicle spin balancers. They are easy to use

and give a dynamic (two plane) balance. Although they do not correct for drum or disc unbalance as does on-ve-

hicle spin blancing, this is overcome by their accuracy, usually to within 1/8 ounce.

ON-VEHICLE BALANCING

On-vehicle balancing methods vary with equipment and tool manufacturers. Be sure to follow each manufacturer’s

instructions during balancing operation.

WARNING:

Wheel spin should be limited to 35 mph (55 km/h) as indicated on speedometer.

This limit is necessary because speedometer only indicates one-half of actual wheel speed when

one drive wheel is spinning and the other drive wheel is stopped.

Unless care is taken in limiting drive wheel spin, spinning wheel can reach excessive speeds. This

can result in possible tire disintegration or differential failure, which could cause serious personal

injury or extensive vehicle damage.

Wheels and Tires for Your Suzuki Alto 4 Door Fifth Generation (1998-2003)

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