Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/34501
MAINTAINING MICHELIN RV TIRES AGING, WEATHER CHECKING, AND ® OZONE CRACKING During the pre-trip inspection, be sure to check the tires for signs of aging, weather checking, and/or ozone cracking — these show up as tiny cracks in the rubber surface on the sidewall of the tire. If the cracks are less than 1⁄32" deep, the tire is fine to run. Between 1⁄32" and 2⁄ 32", the tire is suspect and should be examined by the MICHELIN dealer. If the cracks are any deeper than 2⁄ 32", the tire should be replaced immediately. Here are a few tips to help you protect the tires from these common damage conditions: 1) Keep the tires properly inflated. 2) Keep the tires clean. 3) Avoid prolonged exposure to heat, cold, or moisture. 4) Avoid prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. 5) Cover the tires when the vehicle is not in use. 6) Do not park near electric generators or transformers. 7) Do not store vehicle in an area where welding is being done or in a garage that has mercury vapor lamps. PROPER CLEANING OF RV TIRES Like the rest of the RV, it pays to keep the MICHELIN ® tires clean. Road oil will cause deterioration of the rubber, and dirt buildup will hold the contaminants next to the tire. As with the cleaning of any rubber product, proper cleaning methods must be used to obtain the maximum years of service from the tires. A soft brush and the normal mild soap that you would use to clean the RV may be used. If you use a dressing product to “protect” the tires from aging, use extra care and caution. Tire dressings that contain petroleum products, alcohol, or silicones will cause deterioration or cracking and accelerate the aging process. In many cases, it is not the dressing itself that can be a problem, but rather the chemical reaction that the product can have with the antioxidant in the tire. Heat can add to the negative reaction. When these same dressing products are used on a passenger car tire that is replaced every three to four years, it is rare to see a major problem. However, in most cases, RV tires may last much longer due to limited annual mileage, and the chemical reactions have much longer to take place. TIRE REPAIR Even the best drivers can drive over a nail, and the best tires can pick up that nail or screw and go flat. If you pick up an object that causes a flat with a MICHELIN ® RV tire, LONG TERM STORAGE AND RV TIRES Unless the RV owner is a full-time RV-er, the vehicle probably spends some time in long-term storage. But what the RV owner probably didn’t know is that rubber tires age when not being used. So, if the owner must store the RV, a cool, dry, sealed garage is the best bet. Also, some storage surfaces can cause tires to age faster. That’s why Michelin recommends placing a barrier (cardboard, plastic or plywood) between the tire and the storage surface. Here are some other steps the RV owner can take to help reduce the aging effects from long-term storage: 1) Thoroughly clean tires with soap and water before placing into storage. 2) Cover tires to block direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays. 3) Store out of a high ozone area. Note: When a vehicle is stored, tires should be inflated to the inflation pressure indicated on the sidewall. Before removing the vehicle from long-term storage, thoroughly inspect each tire — this includes sidewalls, tread area, and air pressure. If the tires have lost air, be sure to inflate them to the correct pressure before driving. 78 Section Five: MICHELIN RV Tires ® the repair must be made to the inside of the tire to be repaired properly. To do this, the tire needs to be demounted and inspected on the inside of the casing for any other damage that the object may have caused. See the MICHELIN truck tire dealer for the proper repair and damage inspection. TIRE INSPECTION The MICHELIN ® RV tires should be inspected thoroughly at least once a year, and any time the owner drives in rough or rocky terrain, or when the owner is having their RV serviced. This inspection should include both sidewalls, the tread area, and the valves, caps, and any valve extensions. Inspect for nails, cuts, bulges, aging, or fatigue cracks and weathering or ozone cracking. Also, check between the duals for objects lodged between them. See the MICHELIN dealer at once if anything unusual is observed. On a regular basis, rub the palm of your hand across the face of the tread on your front tires to feel for any feathered wear from “toe” alignment problems. NOTE: Be careful since severe wear can expose steel belt edges that are very sharp. A “toe” misalignment problem can be caused by impact with a “chuck” hole in the road. Bad “toe” wear can be hard to find visually, but can be felt very quickly with the hand. This type of alignment problem can wear rubber off the tread of the tires in just a few hundred miles.