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Frequently Asked Questions

If you keep your tires properly inflated and rotate them on a regular basis they should provide you with mile after mile of trouble-free service. The answers to these FAQs will tell you just about everything you need to know to get the most out of your tires. Pay special attention to questions one through four about Inflation, Rotation, Balance and Alignment.

How much air should I put in my tires?: Proper inflation is the single most important part of tire 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 ve hicle 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 mile or one hour or more after driving. Use a good quality tire gauge. Note: It's natural for radial tires 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. CL Auto can answer any questions you may have about tire inflation.

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Should I rotate my tires?: Regular tire rotation promotes more uniform wear for all of the tires on a vehicle. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's rotation recommendations. If no rotation period is specified, tires should be rotated every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. 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. CL Auto can provide expert diagnosis and repair.

Why do my tires need to be balanced?: Properly balanced tires are important for driving comfort and long tire life. Unbalanced tires can cause vibration, resulting in driver fatigue, premature tire wear and unnecessary wear to your vehicle's suspension. Tires should be balanced when they are mounted on wheels for the first time or when they are remounted after repair. Tires should be rebalanced at the first sign of vibration or "shimmy." Vibration may also be due to misalignment or mechanical problems. CL Auto can provide expert diagnosis and repair.

What is alignment?: A vehicle is said to be properly aligned when all suspension and steering components are sound and when the tire and wheel assemblies are running straight and true. Proper alignment is necessary for even tread wear and precise steering. Uneven front-or re ar-tire 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" a lignment 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 tire mileage, performance and comfort. CL Auto provide expert alignment and suspension service.

Is it safe to repair a flat tire?: If a tire 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. Tires that are 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 tires with tread punctures larger than 1/4 inch, or any sidewall puncture. Also, never repair tires which are worn below 1/16 inch tread depth. Your best bet is to make sure your spare tire 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 tire's sidewall for the correct inflation pressure, speed, and mileage limitations. See CL Auto for expert tire repair.

What should I do if I notice a vibration?: Vibration is an indication that your car has a problem that needs attention. The tires, 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 c ause excessive tire and suspension wear. It could even be dangerous. CL Auto offer expert diagnosis and repair.

Can my driving habits affect the life of my tires?: They certainly can. Here are some tips to increase the life of your tires: 1) Don't speed: excessive heat is generated when driving at high speeds. This heat increases the rate of tire wear and reduces the tire's durability. 2) Avoid fast turns on curves and around corners; fast starts and panic stops. 3) Don't ride on the edge of the pavement or drive over curbs, chuck-holes, or other obstructions.

How can I check my tires for wear problems?: Tires 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 tire life by thousands of miles. Here are some of the most common problems.

Wear on both edges: Under Inflation
Wear in center: Over Inflation
Wear on one side: Misalignment

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How do I know when I need new tires?: Many tires 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 tire. Here's another simple test you can perform to measure tread depth on your tires. Place a penny into a tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to visit CL Auto for a new tire.

Must I replace my present tires with the same size tires?: Never choose a smaller size than those that came with the car. Tires should always be replaced with the same size designation -- or approved options -- as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or CL Auto.

Should I "mix" tire types on my car?: Tires of different size designations, constructions, and stages of wear may affect vehicle handling and stability. For best all-around performance, the same type tire should be used on all four wheel positions -- unless special purpose tires (snow tires, for example) are used to improve performance. You can mix your present tires with other size designations or constructions -- provided similar tires are used in pairs on the same axle. Never mix radial and bias-ply tires on the same axle. Get specific information from CL Auto.

When buying just two new tires, should they be put on the front or rear?: When radial tires 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 tires on the same axle. When you select a pair of replacement tires in the same size and co nstruction as those on the car, we recommend you put them on the rear axle. A single new tire should be paired on the rear axle with the tire having the most tread depth of the other three.

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Isn't it easy to mount a tire on a wheel? Can't I do it myself?: Never try to mount your own tires. Tire 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 tire and rim.

Do my new tires require any special treatment?: Your new tires will probably feel different from the tires 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.

How long should my original equipment tires last?: Gemini does not offer a written mileage promise on any tires supplied as original equipment. Due to the variety of styles, construction features, treatment compounds, vehicle applications, geographical conditions and driving habits, it is difficult to provide a specific mileage expectancy.

My tire has gone flat. Is this covered by my Limited Warranty?: Due to the variety of causes for air loss, this question can only be answered by an authorized retailer. 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 fla nge area and the tire bead seating area, bent rim flange)

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Where can I find old production or discontinued tires for my classic or restored vehicle?: Recently discontinued tires are quickly consolidated and sold in large quantities to several sources and retilers would have no method of tracking the inventory after this sale. Much older tires such as the older bias ply tires can many times be found through Kelsey Tire, Inc. in Camdenton MO. They have obtained the molds for several of these older bias ply tires. They can be reached at (314) 346-2506. For more information you can call (800) 325-0091. Another source may be Coker Tire in Chattanooga, TN. They can be reached at (800) 251-6336

Where should I go if I have warranty concern on a tire?: All authorized retailers have been provided full authority in determining warranty eligibility on tires.

Where can I get specific technical information or testing data about tires?: All engineering data available to the public is provided on the respective product information brochure made available at the retail outlets or on the manufacturer Website. Most technical or test data is considered proprietary and not available to the public. Specific inquiries may be made in writing and mailed to their Technical Center for review.

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