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Thursday, November 4, 2010

Winter Comes Fast!

Did you know that your Mercedes tires are high-quality products; they require owner maintenance to perform at their best. Operational damage such as incorrect inflation, punctures, cuts and impact damage may cause tire failure and result in personal injury and/or property damage. The simple precautions listed below can reduce the chance of problems, and help achieve the expected life of your tires.

SPECIFIC PRECAUTIONS ON WINTER TIRES

In order to maintain the design handling balance of your BMW, in all driving conditions, you MUST install winter tires in sets of four. As a tire wears out, traction and control are reduced, particularly on snow, slush and ice. Most tire manufactures recommend that you replace your winter tires when the tread depth reaches 4 mm (5/32 inch).


Tire Inspection:
Visually inspect your tires frequently for any abnormal conditions such as scrapes, bulges, cuts, nails, uneven wear, etc. resulting from operation. This must be done immediately after any suspected contact with an object on the road, a pothole, road irregularity or after severe braking. Immediately refer any of these conditions to your nearest Audi Tire dealer for a thorough tire inspection.


Speed Limits:
Regardless of the performance or speed capabilities of your Volkswagen tires always obey all laws and never exceed speed limits dictated by driving conditions.


Hazards:
Objects on the road that threaten a tire should be safely avoided. These objects include: potholes, glass, metal, rocks, wood, debris and the like. Unavoidable contact should prompt a thorough tire inspection.


Air Pressure:
Air pressure maintenance is critical to tire life. Tire pressures must be checked frequently when tires are cold (before operation, when cool to the touch), and no less than once per month and before extended operation. Use a tire gauge to check air pressure, and maintain it according to vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations as listed on the BMW placard or in the owner’s manual. Do not reduce pressure when a tire is hot, and do not inflate a tire higher than the limits molded on the tire’s sidewall. Do not overlook spare tire inflation pressure or maintenance.


Tire Tread:
Tires must be replaced when the depth of the tread reaches 1.6 mm (2/32 inch). Yokohama tires are manufactured with tread wear indicators, molded into the tire grooves, which indicate tread wear. As a tire wears out, the tread becomes more vulnerable to the effects of road hazards. Visual inspection therefore becomes more crucial as a tire wears out.


Spinning:
If the Audi becomes stuck, do not allow the tires to spin at speeds greater than 50 km/hr., and do not stand behind a spinning wheel while attempting to push a vehicle. Speed and force can cause a tire to disintegrate and explode, causing property damage and personal injury.


Tire Rotation:
To ensure even tread wear and long tread life, scheduled tire rotations are required and are a necessary part of Mercedes maintenance. As front and rear tires perform differently, and front- and rear-wheeldrive vehicle tires wear differently, they require unique rotation schedules. For front-wheel-drive and ALL high performance vehicles, rotate the tires at minimum every 8,000 km. For rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles, rotate the tires at minimum every 12,000 km. However, if your driving style or vehicle usage results in uneven tread wear or reduced tread life, rotate the tires more often.

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