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Frequently Asked Questions

Tyres

Q Will a Cooper tyre perform to the same characteristic ride and handling level as the original equipment tyres that came on my vehicle?
A
Cooper Tires are committed to manufacturing aftermarket products to a higher standard than many original equipment brands that are made to a budget. Providing the like Cooper tyre is chosen, he characteristics in most cases will be better than the tyre originally supplied with your vehicle.
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Q What is the difference between a mud tyre and a sand tyre?
A
A mud tyre has a very aggressive tread pattern and soft tread compound. It is a 'digging tyre', designed to cut and bite into the mud for grip and then self-clean to enable grip to be maintained. A sand tyre is less aggressive in the tread pattern. However, a mud tyre can be used on sand with lower tyre pressures set. (Refer to our Tyre Tips page for recommended pressures to suit varying driving conditions.)
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Q Do Cooper Tires manufacture a "universal" tyre suitable for most types of terrain?
A
While there is no "universal" tyre for all applications, the Cooper A/T3 is a good all-rounder that will suit most applications with the right tyre pressures being used. Consult your local dealer to ensure you are getting the right tyre for your usage.
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Q Are Cooper Tires made for snow conditions?
A
All Cooper tyres are mud- and snow-rated, but snow chains may need to be used depending on the situation.
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Maintenance

Q How often should I check my tyre pressure?
A
You should check your tyre pressure once a month at least and before going on any lengthy trips. A good idea is to make it a habit to check your tyres every time you fill up your gas tank. Ideally, tyre pressure should be measured when tyres are cold (when you have driven less than a 1.5km) as the inflation pressure increases by several pounds when your tyres are hot. Remember to check the pressure of your spare tyre as well.
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Q What is the correct air pressure for my tyres?
A
There is no universal "right" pressure for all tyres. The proper inflation level depends on your vehicle and could even differ for your front and back tyres. To find the correct pressure for your tyres, check the tyre information placard that’s mounted inside the frame of the driver’s door, in the glove box or inside the fuel door. You can also get that information in your vehicle owner’s manual or from your tyre service professional. Be sure to use a reliable tyre pressure gauge and not just sight, as a tyre can lose half its pressure without looking flat.
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Q How often should I check my wheel alignment?
A
Wheel alignment and balancing are important for safety and maximum tread wear from your tyres. Inspect your tyres at least once a month for signs of uneven wear. Uneven wear patterns may be caused by improper inflation pressure, misalignment, improper balance or suspension neglect. If not corrected, further tyre damage will occur and may result in loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury. If any of these conditions exist, the cause may often be corrected at your tyre retailer or other service facility.
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Q What should I look for when inspecting my tyres?
A
Check for uneven tread wear, shallow tread (less than 1.6mm tread depth at any part of the tread face), foreign objects wedged into the tread and damage to the tread or sidewall such as cracks, holes or bulges. You should also check that all the valve caps are still on all your tyres. Driving on a damaged tyre can be dangerous, so if you see something you’re not sure about during your inspection ask your tyre service professional to check it. Any time you see damage to a tyre, don’t drive on it—use a spare if you need to go somewhere.
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General

Q What is the correct air pressure for my tyres?
A
There is no universal "right" pressure for all tyres. The proper inflation level depends on your vehicle and could even differ for your front and back tyres. To find the correct pressure for your tyres, check the tyre information placard that’s mounted inside the frame of the driver’s door, in the glove box or inside the fuel door. You can also get that information in your vehicle owner’s manual or from your tyre service professional. Be sure to use a reliable tyre pressure gauge and not just sight, as a tyre can lose half its pressure without looking flat.
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Q Can I fit my own tyres?
A
Tyre fitting can be dangerous and should only be done by a trained tyre service professional with the proper tools and procedures. Serious injury or death may result from the explosion of a tyre/rim assembly due to improper mounting. If you are not a trained tyre service professional, never attempt to fit your own tyres.
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Q Why do I need to rotate my tyres?
A
Rotation is important because each tyre on a car carries a different amount of weight, making them wear at different rates. By rotating them, you basically even out those differences. Your owner’s manual will tell you how often to rotate your tyres but as a rough guide, it should be done every 10,000km. You might want to rotate them sooner if you see signs of uneven wear. Look at our Tyre Tips for a guide on rotation.
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Q Please explain the relationship between width and aspect ratio.
A
The aspect ratio is the % distance of the sidewall depth in comparison to the width measurement: for example, a 265 75 16 tyre has a sidewall measurement of approx 75% of the tread measurement (the 265 figure).
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Performance

Q Will a Cooper tyre perform to the same characteristic ride and handling level as the original equipment tyres that came on my vehicle?
A
Cooper Tires are committed to manufacturing aftermarket products to a higher standard than many original equipment brands that are made to a budget. Providing the like Cooper tyre is chosen, he characteristics in most cases will be better than the tyre originally supplied with your vehicle.
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Q How do Cooper tyres handle in wet weather conditions?
A
Cooper Tires uses the latest technology and designs in our tyres. See-through tread patterns allow water to be rapidly dispersed from the tyre surface, thereby reducing the aquaplaning effect and improving traction for a better, safer ride.
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Q Is steering response improved by using Cooper tyres compared to other brands?
A
With deeper tread and stronger sidewalls that make the tyres stand up straighter, Cooper tyres give better ride and handling characteristics than other brands.
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Q I have tyres that are good for sand driving. Is there a good Cooper Tires equivalent?
A
All Cooper tyres can be driven in the sand. The tyre pressure is the guiding factor and needs to be set according to the prevailing conditions. Refer to our Tyre Tips' Tyre Pressure Guide document.
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