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Tire Information Sources
Good guidance starts with good sources. This page explains the kinds of sources we rely on, how we cite them, and how you can tell us when one becomes outdated.
How we choose sources
We prefer sources that are specific, current and attributable. A statement about your vehicle should come from your vehicle’s manufacturer, not from a general article. A statement about a tire’s limits should come from the tire manufacturer or an established standard. Where we discuss safety, we look for government or recognised industry guidance. Where sources disagree, we say so and lean toward the more cautious position.
Primary source types
- Vehicle manufacturer documentation. The owner’s manual, the door-jamb placard and any addenda are the most authoritative sources for jacking points, tire pressures, wheel nut torque, load limits and spare tire restrictions. When our guidance differs from your manual, your manual wins.
- Tire and equipment manufacturers. Manufacturers publish technical guidance on tire care, damage limits, repair criteria and the restrictions that apply to temporary spares, jacks and inflators.
- Government safety bodies. Agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publish tire safety information, including guidance on tread, pressure and inspection.
- Industry standards and associations. Recognised standards and trade associations issue guidance on matters such as tire repair, load and speed rating tables, and mounting practice.
- Technical references. General technical and engineering references support background explanations where a more specific source is not available.
Citation methodology
Where a page draws on a specific source, we aim to name it and, where the source is public and stable, link to it. For figures that vary by vehicle or product — pressures, torque values, tire sizes, spare limits — we cite the type of authoritative document to consult and point you to your own copy, rather than publishing a single number as if it applied to every vehicle. We note that some sources are revised over time and that we cannot guarantee a third-party link will always resolve.
Corrections and limitations
Sources age, standards change and manufacturers update their guidance. If you find a reference that is outdated, broken or misapplied, please tell us through the corrections policy. We treat safety-related corrections as a priority. Our editorial policy describes how we research and review in more detail, and our safety review policy sets out the extra care we take with safety-critical content.
Related pages
This page is general information maintained by the TireHelpGuide editorial team. It is not a substitute for your vehicle or tire manufacturer’s guidance or a qualified professional’s judgement.