1998 Toyota Supra Owners Manual - Page 165

SUPRA (U) Checking and replacing tires D Take special care when adding air to the compact spare tire. The smaller tire size can gain pressure very quickly. Add compressed air in small quantities and check the pressure often until it reaches the specified pressure. Your Supra has been fitted with specially developed tires which provide exceptional dynamic performance under general road conditions. However you may also notice that your tires will wear more rapidly and tire grip performance will be reduced on the snowy and/or icy roads when compared to standard tires. Be sure to have snow tires or tire chains on the snowy and/or icy roads and drive carefully with speed appropriate for road conditions. D Do not bleed or reduce tire pressure after driving. It is normal for the tire pressure to be higher after driving. D Never exceed the vehicle capacity weight. The passenger and luggage weight should be located so that the vehicle is balanced. 70040F01 CHECKING YOUR TIRES Check the tire tread for the tread wear indicators. If the indicators show, replace the tires. The tires on your Toyota have built- in tread wear indicators to help you know when the tires need replacement. When the tread depth wears to 1.6 mm (0.06 in.) or less, the indicators will appear. If you can see the indicators in two or more adjacent grooves, the tire should be replaced. The lower the tread, the higher the risk of skidding. D Be sure to reinstall the tire inflation valve caps. Without the valve caps, dirt or moisture could get into the valve core and cause air leakage. If the caps have been lost, have new ones put on as soon as possible. The effectiveness of snow tires is lost if the tread wears down below 4 mm (0.16 in.). Check the tires regularly for damage such as cuts, splits and cracks. If any damage is found, consult with a technician and have the tire repaired or replaced. Even if the damage does not appear serious, a qualified technician should examine the damage. Objects which have penetrated the tire may have caused internal damage. Any tires which are over six years old must be checked by a qualified technician even if damage is not obvious. Tires deteriorate with age even if they have never or seldom been used. 166