Tire Maintenance Tips Recommended by Kumho Tire

Kumho Tire will conduct a free tire pressure inspection campaign for one month starting next month and recommend tire maintenance methods to prepare for the summer rainy season and heavy rains.

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This campaign will take place at Tire Pro locations nationwide, where customers visiting Tire Pro can receive free tire safety inspection services such as tire pressure and wear condition checks, and balance inspections. Additionally, tire safety management guidelines and consultation services will be provided.

The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that this summer will be hotter and rainier than usual. Due to high humidity and temperature, not only heatwaves but also rainy seasons and heavy downpours caused by high temperatures are expected to increase. Vehicle inspections before the full rainy season are essential, with tire wear and air pressure checks being the top priorities.

When inspecting tires, start by examining the exterior. During the exterior inspection, rotate the wheels and visually and manually check the tire tread for cracks or damage. Even small foreign objects or minor scratches embedded in the tire can cause tire bursts leading to major accidents, so carefully check for embedded nails, gravel, glass shards, or other debris.

Tire air pressure should not be overlooked as it supports the vehicle's load while determining propulsion and braking power. Maintaining proper air pressure alone can improve fuel efficiency, prevent accidents, and ensure tire durability. Driving at high speeds with improper air pressure can lead to tire bursts and other accidents, so caution is necessary.

During summer, when temperature fluctuations are severe, tires frequently contract and expand, causing air pressure to drop easily. Therefore, air pressure should be checked at least once a month to maintain the proper level. For passenger cars, the air pressure is sometimes adjusted higher than the general standard. The recommended tire pressure for the vehicle can be found in the vehicle manual or on a sticker inside the door, so refer to these.

For drivers planning long-distance trips, checking air pressure is essential. When driving at speeds over 100 km/h on highways, it is recommended to increase tire air pressure by 10-20% above the proper level. Excessive air pressure causes uneven road contact during driving, reducing stability and ride comfort. Insufficient air pressure causes outer tire wear and reduces tire durability. Therefore, visually inspect daily to identify if the tire is underinflated and maintain appropriate air pressure according to driving conditions to ensure safety.

During summer, when driving on wet roads due to the rainy season or showers is frequent, special attention should be paid to tire wear. At high speeds on wet roads, hydroplaning occurs between the tire and road surface, reducing tire grip and braking power compared to normal conditions. Tires with severe wear are especially prone to hydroplaning, so caution is required.

Tire wear condition can be diagnosed by checking the wear limit indicators, which are convex markings inside the tread grooves following the △ shape direction marked in six places around the tread. The wear limit line is marked at a height of 1.6 mm, and when this part is exposed on the tread surface, the tire has reached the end of its life. If you are driving on tires that have exceeded the wear limit line, replacement is necessary due to safety issues caused by reduced braking power on wet roads. Therefore, it is recommended to have an inspection when the remaining tread depth is 2.8 mm according to the wear limit standard.

Since tire wear varies by position, rotating tires every 10,000 km can promote even wear and extend tire life.

Kumho Tire’s specialized distribution brand, ‘Tire Pro,’ is the first tire specialty store in Korea advocating ‘Tire Professionalism,’ offering various safety inspection services such as air pressure checks, tire rotation, wheel balancing, puncture repairs, and tire exterior inspections.

Since 2019, Tire Pro has been providing a ‘replacement agency service’ where customers’ vehicles are picked up, tires are replaced at a nearby Tire Pro, and then returned to the customer’s location. Since 2020, Tire Pro has also been offering an ‘on-site installation’ service, where tires purchased online through Tire Pro are installed directly at the customer’s location.

Visit a nearby Tire Pro store to receive tire replacement and expert, skilled services along with reliable aftercare.

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