Chrysler 1998 Viper RT/10 Owner's Manual page 826

22 - 4
TIRES AND WHEELS
S R
D E S C R I P T I O N A N D O P E R A T I O N ( C o n t i n u e d )
to 6 pounds per square inch (psi) d u r i n g operation.
Do not reduce this n o r m a l pressure build-up.
TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE -HIGH SPEED
DRIVING
W A R N I N G : O V E R O R U N D E R I N F L A T E D T I R E S
C A N A F F E C T V E H I C L E H A N D L I N G . T H E T I R E C A N
F A I L S U D D E N L Y , R E S U L T I N G IN L O S S O F V E H I C L E
C O N T R O L .
Chrysler Corporation advocates d r i v i n g this vehicle
at safe speeds and w i t h i n the posted speed l i m i t s .
Where speed l i m i t s allow the vehicle to be driven at
h i g h speeds, the correct t i r e inflation pressure is very
important.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING TIRE USAGE
Competitive d r i v i n g puts far more strain on tread
elements and produces far more tire-damaging heat
and abrasion t h a n n o r m a l highway driving. W h e n
street tires are used for racing they cannot be
expected to last as long as w h e n they are used i n
highway service. As a result, product warranties on
Michelin performance r a d i a l tires do not apply w h e n
they are used i n competitive driving.
A l l Michelin r a d i a l tires subjected to competitive
d r i v i n g on dry pavement should be shaved to racing
depth (1/2 tread).
A l l Michelin r a d i a l tires subjected to competitive
d r i v i n g on wet pavement should have at least 1/4"
tread depth.
A l l Michelin r a d i a l tires subjected to competitive
d r i v i n g should be inspected frequently.
TIRE CHAIN USAGE
D O N O T use t i r e chains on this vehicle. Installa-
t i o n of t i r e chains w i l l cause damage to the wheels,
tires and body panels of the vehicle.
SNOW TIRE USAGE
There are no snow tires available for this vehicle.
Installation of snow tires could cause adverse han-
dling of the vehicle. Due to the lack of the proper
speed r a t i n g sudden t i r e failure may occur at h i g h
speed operation.
DIAGNOSIS A N D T E S T I N G
PRESSURE GAUGES
A quality air pressure gauge is recommended to
check t i r e pressure. After checking the air pressure,
replace valve cap finger t i g h t .
TIRE TREAD WEAR INDICATORS
Tread wear indicators are molded into the bottom
of the tread grooves. When tread depth is at 1.6 m m
(1/16 in.), the tread wear indicators w i l l appear as a
13 m m (1/2 in.) band across the tread groove i n the
tire.
Tire replacement is necessary when wear indica-
tors appear i n two or more tread grooves or i f local-
ized balding occurs (Fig. 5).
TREAD TREAD
ACCEPTABLE UNACCEPTABLE
WEAR
INDICATOR
J8922-5
Fig. 5 Tread Wear indicators
TIRE TREAD WEAR PATTERNS
Abnormal t i r e tread wear can be caused by:
• Incorrect inflation pressure
• Tire/wheel unbalance
• Worn suspension components
• Improper brake operation
• Bent wheels
• Incorrect front wheel alignment
• Excessive speed when t u r n i n g the vehicle
I n most situations, inspection of the t i r e tread
wear w i l l reveal the cause of the abnormal wear. The
i l l u s t r a t i o n below (Fig. 6) shows the various types of
tire tread wear patterns and the recommended cor-
rective action.
Rapid wear from the t i r e tread shoulders (Fig. 6) is
usually caused by under- inflation. I f this type of
wear occurs and the tires are serviceable, inflate the
tires to their recommended cold inflation pressure.
Rapid wear from the center of t i r e tread (Fig. 6) is
usually caused by over- inflation. I f this type of wear
occurs and the tires are serviceable, inflate t h e m
w i t h the recommended air inflation pressure w h e n
they are cold.
Cracked treads (Fig. 6) are usually caused by
under-inflation or excessive high-speed vehicle opera-