Tire "Fun"damentals Trivia Quiz

Answer: NAPA

Michelin is a top tire provider known for their quality and tire performance. They also have a reputation for innovative techniques when dealing with tires developed for special weather conditions. Their tires have a long tread life and come with guarantees, although their products are known to be at the top of the price list.

Goodyear has been making tires for over a century and they are known for their safety features and high quality. Many major car manufacturers utilize Goodyear tires on the original equipment. Goodyear also has a strong customer satisfaction rating.

Bridgestone is known for their durability, including all-season performance and the ability to keep going even after a puncture or loss of tire pressure. Many of their tires boast a smooth and quiet ride for the driver and passengers. They also focus on sustainability which is a bonus for many environmentally conscious customers.

NAPA is a chain of auto parts stores. Although they offer tires for sale, they are not a tire manufacturer like the others listed.

Answer: On a sticker on the driver's side doorjamb

The recommended tire pressure is the amount of air that should be inside the tire for the particular vehicle upon which it is being placed. It is usually measured in PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch). The vehicle manufacturer will put this PSI information, which is recommended for best performance, on a sticker inside the driver's side doorjamb. It will sometimes be found in the user manual also.
If you look on the tire itself, the sidewall might have a field called "MAX PSI". This is the maximum amount the tire can hold, and not the recommended amount for the vehicle.

Answer: At least once a month and before long trips

The common recommendation is at least once per month and before any long outing in the car. It is important to keep to this schedule because tire pressure can change due to temperature variations and driving conditions. New tires should be checked along with tires that might have worn down. If you find yourself carrying an exceptionally heavy load, it's also good to check the pressure. By performing this simple task with a tire gauge, you can help improve tire life and efficiency!

Answer: Penny

As you continue to drive on the tires, you want to make sure you still have enough traction for the tire to grip the road. A simple test to do this is to use a penny (coin). Place the penny with Abraham Lincoln upside down into the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it is probably time to consider getting new tires. Of course, a tread depth gauge can give more accurate measurements!

Answer: Sidewall

The sidewall is the part of the tire that curves from the tread down to the bead (which is where the tire is secured to the wheel). The sidewall supports the weight of the vehicle and plays a part in handling and safety while driving. You should inspect the sidewall to look for signs of damage like a crack, or bulge, or puncture.

These can indicate internal damage of the tire and can be a sign of potential replacement.

Answer: 185

The tire code is broken into different segments. The first is a letter indicating the type of vehicle class for this tire. In this example "P" is for a passenger car. The set of numbers before the "/" sign is the tire width in millimeters. In this case 185 millimeters. The set of numbers after the "/" sign is the aspect ratio. This tells the relationship between the tire's sidewall height and the tire's width. In this example, the sidewall's height is 75% of the tire's width or 138.75 millimeters.

The "R" in this example tells us that is is a radial tire. The next number(s) indicate, in inches, the diameter of the rim that the tire is made to fit upon. In this case, 14 inches. The next digits are a load index number which corresponds to a chart showing the maximum load (in pounds and kilograms) each tire can carry. In this case, 82 points to 1,047 pounds per tire. Finally, the last letter in the string indicates the maximum speed at which the tire can carry its load safely. In this example, the "S" indicates max speed of 112 miles per hour.

Answer: Front end alignment

Alignment means adjusting the vehicle's suspension. This is the system that connects the vehicle to its wheels. It's not really adjusting the tires themselves but adjusting the angles of the tires to how they make contact with the ground. There are several ways to know if you need to get this checked. Pulling of the vehicle to the left or right, treadwear that is uneven, and having the steering wheel a bit off center when driving straight are all signs.

Note that tire alignment is different from tire balancing which can be done in conjunction with a tire alignment.

Answer: No

It is highly recommended to not remove a nail from a car tire yourself. If the tire is not flat, drive carefully to a tire repair shop and have them assess the problem and provide a solution. If the tire is already flat, call a tow truck or roadside assistance. If you try to remove the nail yourself, there is a chance the tire will deflate quickly and can cause a blowout and, consequently, an accident. If the puncture is small, the tire professional may be able to repair it. If the hole is large or near a sidewall, the tire may need to be totally replaced.

Answer: Tire Rotation

Tire rotation is swapping the tires around for even wear and performance. It's a basic maintenance practice that is recommended for every 5000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. This is also the usual cadence for oil changes so many people do them together.

It can differ, but the process usually involves rotating the tires left to right and front to back. Tires naturally wear during their life and this process helps spread that wear across the four tires. By spreading the wear, the risk of hydroplaning, and other tire to ground contact problems, is reduced.

Answer: Spare tire

It's highly recommended to have a spare tire in your vehicle. Many times this is a duplicate of one of the tires on the car and can be found in the trunk, or on the side or underside of the vehicle. However, there is also a donut or "space saver" tire.

It is a smaller tire that is used only as a spare and is not meant to be driven on for long distances or for long periods of time. The donut is smaller in diameter than the tire and has a narrower width. It has a different tread pattern and is made of a softer rubber.

Although it is not a long term solution, it is handy to have in case you have a flat and it is smaller to store and usually cheaper.