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Vehicle capacity weight (VCW – the maximum
occupant and cargo weight a vehicle is designed to
carry)
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Front and rear gross axle weight ratings (GAWR – the
maximum weight the axle systems are designed to
carry).
Both placards and certification labels are permanently
attached to the trailer near the left front.
Understanding Tire Pressure And Load Limits
Tire inflation pressure is the level of air in the tire that
provides it with load-carrying capacity and affects the
overall performance of the vehicle. The tire inflation
pressure is a number that indicates the amount of air
pressure– measured in pounds per square inch (psi)–a
tire requires to be properly inflated. (You will also find this
number on the vehicle information placard expressed
in kilopascals (kpa), which is the metric measure used
internationally.)
Manufacturers of passenger vehicles and light trucks
determine this number based on the vehicle's design
load limit, that is, the greatest amount of weight a
vehicle can safely carry and the vehicle's tire size. The
proper tire pressure for your vehicle is referred to as
the "recommended cold inflation pressure." (As you will
read below, it is difficult to obtain the recommended tire
pressure if your tires are not cold.)
Because tires are designed to be used on more than
one type of vehicle, tire manufacturers list the "maximum
permissible inflation pressure" on the tire sidewall. This
number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should
ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.
Checking Tire Pressure
It is important to check your vehicle's tire pressure at
least once a month for the following reasons:
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Most tires may naturally lose air over time.
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Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pothole
or other object or if you strike the curb when parking.
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With radial tires, it is usually not possible to determine
underinflation by visual inspection.
For convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to
keep in your vehicle. Gauges can be purchased at tire
dealerships, auto supply stores, and other retail outlets.
The recommended tire inflation pressure that vehicle
manufacturers provide reflects the proper psi when a
tire is cold. The term cold does not relate to the outside
temperature. Rather, a cold tire is one that has not been
driven on for at least three hours.
When you drive, your tires get warmer, causing the air
pressure within them to increase. Therefore, to get an
accurate tire pressure reading, you must measure tire
pressure when the tires are cold or compensate for the
extra pressure in warm tires.
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Steps For Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure
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Step 1: Locate the recommended tire pressure on the
vehicle's tire information placard, certification label, or
in the owner's manual.
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Step 2: Record the tire pressure of all tires.
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Step 3: If the tire pressure is too high in any of the
tires, slowly release air by gently pressing on the tire
valve stem with the edge of your tire gauge until you
get to the correct pressure.
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Step 4: If the tire pressure is too low, note the
difference between the measured tire pressure and
the correct tire pressure. These "missing" pounds of
pressure are what you will need to add.
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Step 5: At a service station, add the missing pounds
of air pressure to each tire that is underinflated.
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Step 6: Check all the tires to make sure they have the
same air pressure (except in cases in which the front
and rear tires are supposed to have different amounts
of pressure).
If you have been driving your vehicle and think that a tire
is underinflated, fill it to the recommended cold inflation
pressure indicated on your vehicle's tire information
placard or certification label. While your tire may still be
slightly underinflated due to the extra pounds of pressure
in the warm tire, it is safer to drive with air pressure
that is slightly lower than the vehicle manufacturer's
recommended cold inflation pressure than to drive with a
significantly underinflated tire. Since this is a temporary
fix, don't forget to recheck and adjust the tire's pressure
when you can obtain a cold reading.
Tire Size
To maintain tire safety, purchase new tires that are the
same size as the vehicle's original tires or another size
recommended by the manufacturer. Look at the tire
information placard, the owner's manual, or the sidewall
of the tire you are replacing to find this information. If you
have any doubt about the correct size to choose, consult
with the tire dealer.
Tire Tread
The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction
that prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding,
especially when the road is wet or icy. In general, tires are
not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn
down to 1/16 of an inch. Tires have built-in treadwear
indicators that let you know when it is time to replace
your tires. These indicators are raised sections spaced
intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves. When
they appear "even" with the outside of the tread, it is time
to replace your tires. Another method for checking tread
depth is to place a penny in the tread with Lincoln's head
upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of
Lincoln's head, you are ready for new tires.
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