Proper Tire Handling and Installation Safety
Correct tire handling and installation are critical for safe operation and long-term performance. Tires should only be mounted or demounted by trained professionals, as improper procedures can damage the tire or lead to bead seating failures during inflation.
Before installation, always confirm that the tire and wheel diameters are correctly matched.
Rim surfaces and tire beads should be cleaned and properly lubricated to support correct seating.
Approved equipment, such as an inflation cage or other restraining device, should always be used.
When seating tire beads, inflation pressure should never exceed 40 psi (280 kPa).
If a tire is mistakenly mounted on an incorrect wheel, it should be removed from service rather than remounted, as internal damage may not be visible. Following these practices helps preserve tire structure and reduce the risk of failure.
Speed-Rated Tire Inspections and Load Limit Guidelines
Every tire is designed to operate within specific load and speed limits. Exceeding these limits can result in excessive heat buildup, premature wear, or sudden tire failure.
Load Limits
Never exceed the load capacity molded on the tire sidewall or listed on the vehicle’s tire information placard, whichever is lower.
Overloading a tire increases internal stress and heat, which can lead to structural damage.
Speed-Rated Tire Care
Speed-rated tires are engineered to perform at higher speeds when properly inflated and loaded. To maintain their performance and safety:
Follow recommended inspection procedures to identify visible or internal damage.
Speed-rated tires may be repaired only within established industry limits, such as punctures ¼ inch or smaller and repairs performed by trained professionals.
Original equipment speed-rated tires should always be replaced with tires of the same or higher speed rating to maintain the vehicle’s designed performance capability.
Routine inspections help ensure consistent performance across a range of driving conditions.
Safe Inflation Practices to Help Prevent Blowouts
Maintaining proper tire inflation is one of the most important steps drivers can take to support tire safety and longevity. Both underinflation and overinflation increase the risk of tire damage and failure.
Inflation Safety Guidelines
Check tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips.
Always measure pressure when tires are cold, meaning the vehicle has been parked for at least three hours or driven less than two miles.
Use a reliable tire pressure gauge and follow the recommended inflation pressure listed in the owner’s manual or on the vehicle’s tire placard.
Avoid releasing air from hot tires, as heat can cause inaccurate pressure readings.
Underinflation increases tire flexing and heat buildup, which may lead to internal damage.
Overinflation can reduce traction and increase vulnerability to impact-related damage.
Maintaining proper inflation helps control heat buildup and reduces the risk of sudden tire failure.
Tire Registration
Make sure your tires are registered to receive direct notification in the event of a safety-related recall.
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FAQ
Read our Frequently Asked Questions.
Four checks every driver should run monthly:
Tire pressure — check cold, using the PSI on your door jamb sticker
Tread depth — use a tread depth gauge or the built-in wear indicators on the tire
Visual inspection — look for cracks, cuts, bulges, or embedded objects in the tread and sidewall
Alignment and balance — rapid or uneven wear is often the first sign of an alignment or suspension issue
Get the tire inspected by a trained professional. Internal damage from impacts — broken belts, carcass damage — is usually invisible from outside the tire. A tire that looks fine and holds air after a hard impact can still fail later at highway speed. The inspection may require removing the tire from the wheel to check the inside properly.
Punctures confined to the tread area — nail holes or cuts up to a quarter inch — can usually be repaired by a trained technician using an industry-approved patch-and-plug method. Plug-only repairs done on the wheel are not considered reliable. Damage in the sidewall or shoulder cannot be safely repaired; those tires need replacing. So do any tires already worn to 2/32 inch or below.
Age matters even when a tire looks acceptable. Rubber degrades from UV exposure, heat cycling, and ozone in ways that aren't visible on the surface. Michelin recommends a close inspection after five years and replacement by ten years from the manufacture date, regardless of remaining tread. The manufacture date is in the DOT code on the sidewall — the last four digits give the week and year (for example, 2524 means the 25th week of 2024).
No. Tire mounting and demounting requires trained technicians and proper equipment. Improper installation can damage the tire bead, cause bead seating failures during inflation, or lead to a blowout. Rim surfaces and tire beads need to be correctly cleaned and lubricated, and wheel and tire diameters must be matched before any inflation begins. Always use an authorized retailer.