More details on Wheel / Tire Installation
Mounting Procedures
For the proper mounting of
tires, be sure to observe some basic precautions:
-
Wheel is securely seated on the
hub face.
All lugs have proper torque.
There is no buildup of dirt between the hub and wheel.
The wheel is not bent.
Both tire beads are securely seated on the rim.
To facilitate proper balancing, most tire manufacturers place red and yellow marks on the sidewalls of its tires to enable the best possible match-mounting of the tire/wheel assembly. There are two methods of match-mounting tires to wheel assemblies using these red or yellow marks:
-
Uniformity (red mark)
Weight (yellow mark)
Warning:
Improper mounting,
underinflation, overloading or tire damage may result in tire
failure, which may lead to serious injury. Tire and rim sizes
must correspond for proper fit and application. Never exceed 40
psi to seat beads.
Warning:
Tire changing can be dangerous, and should be done only by trained
persons using proper tools and procedures established by the Rubber
Manufacturers Association. Failure to comply with proper procedures
may result in incorrect positioning of the tire, tube, or wheel
assembly, causing the assembly to burst with explosive force sufficient
to cause serious physical injury or death. Never mount or use
damaged tires, tubes, or wheel assemblies.
Proper Installation and
Spacers
With some custom fitments, it is necessary
to use spacers in order to achieve proper clearances. Whenever
the assembly comes into contact with inner fender members, brake
calipers or ball joints, consult the wheel manufacturer for recommendations
on the proper use of spacers.
Spacers are sometimes necessary when wheels of the proper offset are not available. However, there are some drawbacks to their use:
-
Spacers are made in various quality
grades. Some spacers may not be able to withstand the forces
generated by aggressive or competitive vehicle use.
Spacers that use a generic or slotted pattern (for use on a variety of hub patterns) may make proper location of the assembly very difficult.
Spacers may necessitate longer lug bolts.
Special Considerations
for Light Truck Applications
Because light trucks demand special
load-capacity considerations, we've compiled a few rules that
should be observed:
Using passenger tires
on light trucks.
Using passenger car tires on light
trucks should be approached with caution. The varied service that
a light truck undergoes means that the rated load-carrying capacity
of a passenger car tire used on it is reduced. When referencing
a passenger car tire for light truck use, decrease the load specification.