forest river Coachmen Clipper Owner's Manual page 14

NOTE:
It is important to check your vehicle's tire pressure at
least once a month for the following reasons:
• Most tires naturally lose air pressure over time.
• Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pot-
hole or strike the curb when parking.
• With radial tires, it is usually not possible to deter-
mine under inflation by visual inspection. For your
convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to
keep in your vehicle.
Tire Safety Tips
NOTE:
Preventing Tire Damage
• Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other
object in the road.
• Do not run over foreign objects in the roadway, and
try not to strike the curb when parking.
W ARNING
Tire Safety and Maintenance Checklist
• Check tire pressure regularly (at least once a
month), including the spare.
• Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the
tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs
of wear or trauma.
• Remove bits of glass and any other foreign
objects wedged in the tread.
• Make sure your tire valves have valve caps.
• Check tire pressure before going on a long
trip.
• Do not overload your vehicle. Check the tire
information placard for the maximum recom-
mended load for the vehicle.
• If you are towing a trailer, remember that some
of the weight of the loaded trailer is trans-
ferred to the towing vehicle.
W ARNING
Tire Tips
• Make sure all of the lug nuts are secure. Use a
torque wrench. Do not guess.
• Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the
tread, for cracks, for foreign objects or for
other signs of wear or trauma.
• If you are towing a trailer, remember that some
of the weight of the loaded trailer is trans-
ferred to the towing vehicle.
• Trailers should have the wheel bearings
repacked after being in storage for long peri-
ods of time.
Identification And Safety
Tire Fundamentals
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place stan-
dardized information on the sidewall of all tires. This
information identifies and describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also provides a tire identi-
fication number for safety standard certification and in
case of a recall.
Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires
Please refer to the diagram below.
P - The "P" indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles.
NOTE:
Passenger car tires are not recommended for use on
trailers, because the capacity ratings are not marked on
the sidewalls of these tires. In the event a passenger car
tire is used, the capacity must be de-rated by 10%.
Next Number - This three-digit number gives the width in
millimeters of the tire from the sidewall edge to sidewall
edge. In general, the larger the number, the wider the
tire.
Next Number - This two-digit number, known as the
aspect ratio, gives the tire's ratio of height to width. Num-
bers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall for improved
steering response and better overall handling on dry
pavement.
R - The "R" stands for radial. Radial ply construction of
tires has been the industry standard for the past
20 years.
Next Number - This two-digit number is the wheel or rim
diameter in inches. If you change your wheel size, you
will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel
diameter.
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