Inspect tires frequently. Especially carefully - protectors and sidewalls, if there are swellings, deep cuts on them. Replace tires that have bulges or very deep cuts that reach the cord. Any cut in the sidewall of a radial tire makes it unsafe. Look for irregularities in tread wear, this will indicate to you the unevenness of the leading edge and the imbalance of the tires.
Tire rotation
Tires must be rotated periodically for even wear that changes with the position of the tire on the vehicle. The tires also show uneven wear when the front suspension system leans towards the desired centering.
Rotation guarantees maximum life for the entire set of tires at the same time, since you will not have to replace a single tire if its tread wears out. This is especially important for front wheel drive vehicles. Since they are on them, the front tires have to handle everything: traction, cornering and also heavy loads when stopping; they will wear out noticeably faster than the rear ones. Therefore, for wear leveling, uniform consistent alternation is required.
Stick to the usual rule for radial tires - they should always spin in the same direction. This means that tires used on the left side of the car should not be replaced with right-hand ones and vice versa. If a tire or tires are removed from their place on the vehicle for a while due to a puncture, seasonal change, etc., note which side it is on (They) removed so as not to confuse it (their) when reinstalling. On some wheels, there is a stylized badge for this purpose.
The compact spare tire is designed strictly for use in critical situations. It should not be installed for everyday use.
Tire design
It is optimal to use a set of four tires. Mixing of different types should be avoided. All Accord and Prelude are equipped with quality radial tires. For replacement, always select this type.
When using radial tires, they should be selected according to tire size and wheel diameter, based on the need to provide proper ground clearance and tire loading capacity equal to the specified parameters of the original. Radial tires should always be used in a set of four.
WARNING: Never use radial tires on the front axle only.
When choosing tires, pay attention to the size indicated on them. Tires used on Honda vehicles use an industry size code, sometimes referred to as P-METRIC. This allows you to accurately identify the tire specification, regardless of manufacturer. When selecting tires of different sizes or brands, remember to check newly installed tires for any signs of contact with the body or suspension when the vehicle is stopped, in sharp turns or under heavy load.
Winter tires
Good radial tires, along with front wheel drive, give Hondas a great advantage in slippery weather, but in snow they don't have enough tread width to provide reliable traction and handling. Small grooves in the tread quickly clog with snow and the tire behaves like a billiard ball on a marble field. The more open, larger tread width of the snow tires will self-clean when cornering, providing good stability in snowy sections of road.
Winter tires used on Honda vehicles must be radial. Most of these tires are additionally masked or with symbols "M+S" printed on the sidewalls or with the designation "All Season". In general, no size change is required when purchasing winter tires. Because the Accord and Prelude are front wheel drive vehicles, the first two winter tires should be on the front, although Honda recommends using 4 tires at the same time for greater stability. If these tires are fitted only at the front, the rear of the vehicle can become very unstable when braking or when cornering on slippery roads. This instability can lead to unpleasant consequences if the driver cannot counteract the slip in time. Prelude vehicles with 4 wheel drive REQUIRE 4 of these tires at the same time.
Tire storage
All tires should be stored in a cool, dry place. Store tires at a certain pressure if they are mounted on wheels. If they are in the garage, don't put them on a cement floor; lay them on boards, a mat, or a large stack of newspapers. Keeping them away from a direct source of moisture is paramount. Do not store them upright.
Tire pressure and tread depth
Properly adjusted tire pressure is an important parameter that affects the performance of your vehicle. The air in a tire is part of the structure. For this reason, incorrect pressure significantly reduces the ability of tires to perform their intended purpose. Tires lose some air every day; therefore, the need for periodic pumping is not necessarily a sign of a puncture in the tire.
Two things should be kept in the glove box at all times: an accurate tire gauge and a tread depth gauge. Check tire pressure regularly (including spare tire) using a pocket gauge. Always check pressure when tires are cold, as pressure increases with temperature. If you need to transport the vehicle for a pressure check, do not do so more than one kilometer.
WARNING: Never exceed the maximum tire pressure that can be pressed out on the tires! This is the pressure to be used at maximum load, not for everyday driving. Check your owner's manual or tire pressure label (located on the door) for proper tire inflation.
If you've kept your tires at the correct pressure for a few weeks, you'll probably become familiar with the individual handling and braking of your car after that. Small pressure adjustments will help to optimize the performance of the car, but never change the specified pressure for cold by more than 13.79 kPa (or 100 mm Hg.). A slight lack of pressure will provide a smoother ride, but will also increase fuel consumption. Firmer tires will crunch on dry roads but may skid in wet areas. If you are not completely "feel" vehicle, adhere to the recommended air pressures.
All tires made since 1968 have built-in wear indicators that show up when 1.5mm of tread remains, as 13mm wide, smooth stripes across the tyre. The appearance of this indicator means that the tire needs to be changed. Many states have laws prohibiting the use of tires with a tread depth of less than 1.5mm.
You can check the depth of your tire pattern with an inexpensive gauge or with a coin. Do the same for snow tires.
Caring for special wheels
Whether you purchase aluminum alloy wheels, magnesium wheels, or just sports wheels, take special precautions to make sure your investment is not wasted and that your special wheels will last the lifetime of the vehicle.
Special wheels are easy to damage and/or scratch. Occasionally inspect rims for splits and collision damage. If you find anything, replace the wheel. To prevent this type of damage and costly replacement of the special wheel, observe the following precautions:
- Take special care not to damage the wheels during removal, installation, balancing, etc. After removing the wheels from the vehicle, place them on a mat or other protective surface. If they are to be stored for a long period of time, store them on boards. Never store tires and wheels in an upright position - bedsores may form in the tread.
- When driving, be careful; it doesn't take much to crack a wheel.
- When washing, use a mild soap or detergent. Avoid cleaners with abrasives or the use of hard brushes. There are a large number of detergents and polishes for special wheels. Use them.
- If possible, remove the wheels for the winter. Salt and sand used to remove snow can severely damage the finish of the wheel.
- Tighten the mounting nuts to the recommended torque, never exceeding it or you could split the wheel. Never use snow chains on special wheels; otherwise serious scratches will appear.