Your new tyres will probably feel different from the tyres that were replaced. Drive carefully as you become familiar with their performance and handling. Take special care when braking, accelerating, cornering, or when driving in the rain, because these are the times when the differences will be most noticeable.

Tyres often give their owners signs of problems in plenty of time to have them corrected. Learn to "read" these early warning signs and you can prevent many wear problems that shorten tyre life by thousands of miles.

Many tyres have tread wear indicator bars molded into the tread. When the tread is worn down to where you can see a solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread, it is time to replace the tyre. Here's another simple test you can perform to measure tread depth on your tyres. Place a coin into a tread groove with the head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of the head, it's time to visit a Penfold Service Centre for a new tyre.

Due to the variety of styles, construction features, treat compounds, vehicle applications, geographical conditions and driving habits, it is difficult to provide a specific mileage expectancy.
 
However, any tyre wear concern should always be presented to your local authorized Penfold Service Centres for further evaluation.

Proper inflation is the single most important part of tyre care. The inflation pressure on the side of the tire is the MAXIMUM operating pressure. It is not necessarily the right inflation for your vehicle. Always use the inflation recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. You can find it in your owner's manual, posted on the edge of the driver's door, on a door post or on the inside of the glovebox door. Always check inflation when tires are COLD: when the vehicle has been driven less than a kilometre or one hour or more after driving. Use a good quality tyre gauge. Note: It's natural for radial tyres to have a slight bulge in the sidewall at their proper inflation pressure. Check or adjust inflation every few weeks, before any long trip or if traveling with a heavy load. And don't forget to check the spare. Your Penfold Service Centre can answer any questions you may have about tyre inflation.

If a tyre loses all or most of its air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure it's not damaged. Tyres that  run even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch — confined to the tread — may be satisfactorily repaired by trained personnel using industry-approved methods. Don't repair tyres with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, or any sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tyres which are worn below 1/16 inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tyre is always ready to do the job. Check it regularly for proper air pressure and be sure that it is in good shape. If your car is equipped with one of the several types of temporary spares, be sure to check the spare tyre's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations. See our Penfold Service Centres for expert tyre repairs.

Never try to mount your own tyres. Tyre mounting is a job for the people who have the proper equipment and experience. If you try to do it yourself, you run the risk of serious injury to yourself as well as possible damage to the tyre and rim.

Never choose a smaller size than those that came with the car. Tyres should always be replaced with the same size designation -- or approved options — as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Some common causes of sudden or slow air loss:

• Road hazard injuries (punctures, cuts, impact damage to the liner, ply material or sidewall rubber).
• Valve stem or valve core leakage (damaged or aged rubber stem or a loose or damaged valve core).
• Leaking from the bead seating area (corrosive buildup on the wheels which prevents a proper seal between the wheel flange and the tire beads, bead seating area damage from accidental mounting or dismounting injury, foreign material between the rim flange area and the tire bead seating area, bent rim flange).

Tyres of different size designations, constructions, and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability. For best all-around performance, it is recommended that all tyres be of the same size, construction (radial,non-radial) and speed rating. If tyres of different speed ratings are mounted on a vehicle, the same size, type and speed ratings need to be placed on the same axle, the tyres with the lower speed rating will be the determining factor for permissible tyre related vehicle speed. Never mix radial and bias-ply tyres on the same axle.

Regular and proper tyre rotation promotes more uniform wear for all of the tyres on a vehicle. All season tyres should be rotated in a "modified X" pattern, meaning only the tyres being moved to the drive axle are crossed to the opposite side of the vehicle.
 
The remaining two tyres are moved from the drive axle to the free rolling axle, remaining on the same side of the vehicle.
 
This method of rotation helps promote a more even and uniform treadwear pattern for all four tyres. The only exception to this would be the use of "directional" tread design tires . These tyres would remain on the same side of the vehicle and be rotated straight forward and straight back.
 
If you have a four-wheel drive vehicle, we recommend crossing both pairs of tyres to their new axle positions.
 
We recommend tire rotation at least every 10,000 KLM. Four-wheel drive vehicles may require rotation even sooner such as every 6,000 KLM.
 
Check your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated every 10000 KLM. The first rotation is the most important. When tires are rotated, inflation pressures must be adjusted to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Uneven tire wear may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems. Our Penfold Service Centres can provide expert diagnosis and repair.

A vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when the tyre and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and precise steering. Uneven front-or rear-tyre wear, or changes in your vehicle's handling or steering response (i.e. pulling to one side) can indicate misalignment. Many vehicles today are equipped with rear suspensions that can be adjusted for alignment. Your vehicle may need a "front-end" alignment or a "four-wheel" alignment, depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. The moderate cost of having your vehicle aligned can more than pay for itself in tyre mileage, performance and comfort. Penfold Service Centres provide expert alignment and suspension service.

Vibration is an indication that your car has a problem that needs attention. The tyres, steering system and suspension system should be checked to help determine the possible cause and correction of the vibration. If left unattended, the vibration could cause excessive tyre and suspension wear. It could even be dangerous. Penfold Service Centres offer expert diagnosis and repair.

When radial tyres are used with bias or bias belted tires on the same car, the radials must always be placed on the rear axle. Never mix radial and bias-ply tyres on the same axle. When you select a pair of replacement tires in the same size and construction as those on the car, we recommend you put them on the rear axle. A single new tyre should be paired on the rear axle with the tyre having the most tread depth of the other three.

Properly balanced tyres are important for driving comfort and long tyre life. Unbalanced tyres can cause vibration, resulting in driver fatigue, premature tyre wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Tyres should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Tyres should be rebalanced at the first sign of vibration or "shimmy." Vibration may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems. Penfold Service Centres can provide expert diagnosis and repair.