FAQ

How many tires will I need?

Dunlop Tires recommend installing four new tires, especially if you’re purchasing winter tires or tires for all-wheel drive vehicles. To help avoid premature treadwear and get the most out of your tires, replace all four tires at once and maintain a healthy rotation schedule (recommended every 6,000 miles).

If you do decide to buy just two new tires and they are the same size and construction of the tires already on your vehicle, you should install the new tires on the rear axle. Please note that you should never mix radial and bias-ply tires on the same axle. If you’re using radial tires with bias or bias-belted tires on the same vehicle, always place the radial tire on the rear axle. You should never mix tires with different speed ratings.

Buying New Tires: When is it Time to Look?

For the most enjoyable driving experience it's important to replace worn tires. Optimum traction helps provide responsive handling for a smooth, reliable ride. To determine when you should start shopping, follow these simple steps.

First, test the tread. Pinch a penny between your thumb and forefinger, so that the top of Lincoln's head is showing. Place the top of Lincoln's head into one of the tire tread grooves - try to measure in the deepest point within the tread. If any part of Lincoln's head is obscured by the tread, your tires have enough tread. However, if you can see above the head, you're ready for a new tire. You should always check your tires in several tread locations. Be sure to check the inner, outer, and middle grooves of each tire, as tires can wear differently on each side, due to improper wheel alignment and/or low inflation.

Choosing a New Tire: What Should I Consider?

Look for tires that excel in tests for braking, handling. Let treadwear, ride comfort, noise, and rolling resistance help narrow your choices. (Dunlop's comparative tread-life tests demonstrate that a manufacturer's warranty doesn't always reflect how a tire will wear, but used as an estimate, it's an important piece of information)

Choosing a vehicle tire depends on where you live, weather and terrain issues, what performance expectations you have, and what your vehicle requires.

All-Season vs. Winter Tires: What's the Difference?

The key to good traction is friction, but this can be elusive depending on the weather. Winter tires are designed to stay soft and pliable at low temperatures, so they will deform and re-conform to all the micro irregularities of the icy surface, resulting in grip. All-season tires are designed to help provide traction in wet and snowy conditions. Their reinforced sidewalls keep the tire shoulders on the road, while microgrooves help provide biting edges that lock together, enabling better grip when turning on wet roads.

Planning For a Long Trip: Preparing My Vehicle

Check your:

Tires' air pressure. Smooth, even driving starts with your tires. Check your tire air pressure before your trip and at least once a month.

NOTE: Tires should be inflated, when cool, to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in your vehicle's owner's manual, NOT the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

Air filter. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage, which translates to real savings at the pump.
Spark plugs. Worn or dirty spark plugs can cause misfiring, which wastes fuel - replacing these per your vehicle's owner's manual can lead to a better performing vehicle.
Gas cap. Damaged, loose, or missing gas caps waste gas.

Winter Driving Tips: Tire Care in Winter Conditions

Avoid sudden car movements; accelerate gently, turn gradually, and pump the brakes when stopping. These are ways to help the tread on your tires maintain effective traction.
Should you go into a skid and your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brakes and turn in the direction of the skid. Don't pump the brakes in this scenario.
If you get stuck in the snow, spinning your tires too fast can overheat them to the point where they will explode and cause injury. Rocking your vehicle back and forth is a better way to correct this problem. If your vehicle has ABS brakes, follow the directions in your vehicle's owner's manual.

Tire Pressure: Why is it Important?

Improper air pressure in tires can lead to a multitude of problems – from uneven and accelerated tire wear, to structural damage, tire failure, and even poor gas mileage. Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve gas mileage and save you money at the pump. Check your tire pressure at least monthly and before long trips.

Dunlop recommends checking tire inflation monthly, or before a long trip. Tires should be inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard, or in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Proper vehicle and tire maintenance is a good investment because it translates into optimum driving performance, significant cost savings, and better fuel mileage. Through Dunlop's "Free Air" program you can get your tires checked for free, including a tread inspection and tire inflation.

Tire Maintenance: How Can I Extend Optimal Driving Performance and Comfort?

Check your tire pressure every 3,000 mi./4,500 km to keep your vehicle driving smoothly and evenly, and therefore use gas more efficiently.
Rotate your tires every 6,000—8,000 mi./10,000—13,000 km to help equalize treadwear.
Get your wheel alignment checked as specified in your vehicle's owner's manual, or as soon as you feel the wheel "pull."
Visually check your tires for irregularities in treadwear as these could indicate problems with alignment or inflation.

NOTE:Tires should be inflated when cool to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations printed on the vehicle door placard or in your vehicle's owner's manual, NOT the maximum limit stamped on a tire sidewall.

What Important Points Could Help Me Better Understand and Care for My Tires?

Temperature changes affect inflation pressure. Inflation pressure in a tire goes up in warm weather and down in cold weather.The driving habits that cause the greatest tire wear are cornering, aggressive starting, and hard braking. Riding the brake and swerving back and forth will also expedite wear.

Tire Damage: How to Avoid it

Driving with an underinflated or overloaded tire causes the tire to develop excessive heat. This causes the tire's sidewall to flex excessively, resulting in higher operating temperatures and possible internal structural damage. All this could cause tire failure, leading to vehicle damage and/or personal injury.
To avoid this, check your inflation regularly, and maintain the proper air pressure as listed on your driver's side door placard, or in your vehicle's owner's manual.
Always get tires balanced when installed, as an unbalanced tire can cause early wear.