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Defender. Manual - part 23

Wheels and Tires - Wheels and Tires

Description and Operation

GENERAL

Dependent on specification and model type, the vehicle is equipped with pressed steel or alloy wheel rims, both using

tubeless radial ply tires.

Tire codes

The text, codes and numbers moulded into the tire wall vary between tire manufacturers, however most tires are

marked with the information shown in the illustrated example.

• NOTE: The illustration is an example of the type of markings moulded into tires and is for guidance only. For specific

tire specifications.

For additional information, refer to:

Specifications

(204-04 Wheels and Tires, Specifications).

Item

Part

Number

Description

Type of tire construction - Radial Ply

Load index - 104

Speed symbol - S or T

USA Tyre quality grading - Tread wear 160 Traction A temperature B

Tread wear indicators moulded into tread pattern are located at intervals around the tire and marked

by a code - E66 103S6

Tyres with 'Mud Snow' type tread pattern are marked - M and S

Tyre reinforcing mark - Reinforced

USA Load and pressure specification - (900Kg(1984LBS) at 340KA (50PSI) MACS PRESS

Tyre size - 205 16 or 235/70 R16

10.

Type of tire - TUBELESS

11.

Country of manufacture - MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN

12.

USA Compliance symbol and identification - DOT AB7C DOFF 267

13.

European type approval identification - E11 01234

14.

Tire construction - SIDE WALL 2 PLIES RAYON. TREAD 2 RAYON 2 STEEL

15.

Manufacturers brand name/type - TRACTION PLUS mzx M

GENERAL INFORMATION

WARNING: This is a multi-purpose vehicle with wheels and tires designed for both on and off road usage. Only use

wheels and tires specified for use on the vehicle.

The vehicle is equipped with tubeless 'S','T' or 'H' rated radial ply tires as standard equipment. The tires are of

European metric size and must not be confused with the "P" size metric tires available in North America.

Vehicle wheel sets, including spare wheel, must be fitted with the same make and type of tire to the correct

specification and tread pattern. Under no circumstances must cross-ply or bias-belted tires be used.

WARNING: DO NOT fit an inner tube to an alloy wheel.

For tire specification and pressures.

For additional information, refer to:

Specifications

(204-04 Wheels and Tires, Specifications).

Steel wheels

Tubeless tires are mounted on 5.5 or 6.5 inch wide by 16 inch diameter steel wheels.

Alloy Wheels

Tubeless tires are mounted on 7.0 inch wide by 16 inch diameter cast aluminium alloy wheels. The surface has a paint

finish covered with a clear polyurethane lacquer. Care must be taken when handling the wheel to avoid scratching or

chipping the finish. The alloy wheel rim is of the asymmetric hump type incorporating a safety hump to improve location

of the tire bead in its seat. If difficulty is experienced in fitting tires to this type of rim. See

For additional information, refer to:

Wheel and Tire

(204-04 Wheels and Tires, Removal and Installation).

TIRE INSPECTION

Inspect tires at weekly intervals to obtain maximum tire life and performance and to ensure compliance with legal

requirements. Check for signs of incorrect inflation and uneven wear, which may indicate a need for balancing or front

wheel alignment, if the tires have abnormal or uneven wear patterns. See Tire Wear Chart in this section.

Check tires at least weekly for cuts, abrasions, bulges and for objects embedded in the tread. More frequent inspections

are recommended when the vehicle is regularly used in off road conditions.

To assist tire inspection, tread wear indicators are moulded into the bottom of the tread grooves, as shown in the

illustration above.

When the tread has worn to a depth of 1.6 mm the indicators appear at the surface as bars which connect the tread

pattern across the width of the tread as shown in the illustration above.

• NOTE: DO NOT attempt to interchange tires, e.g. from front to rear, as tire wear produces characteristic patterns

depending on their position. If tire position is changed after wear has occurred, the performance of the tire will be

adversely affected.

• NOTE: Territorial vehicle regulations governing tire wear MUST be adhered to.

When the indicators appear in two or more adjacent grooves, at three locations around the tire, a new tire must be

fitted.

Wheel inspection

Regularly check the condition of the wheels. Replace any wheel that is bent, cracked, dented or has excessive runout.

Valve inspection

Check condition of inflation valve. Replace any valve that is worn, cracked, loose, or leaking air.

Tire pressures

Maximum tire life and performance will be obtained only if tires are maintained at the correct pressures .

Tyre pressures must be checked at least once a week and preferably daily, if the vehicle is used off road.

The tire inflation pressure is calculated to give the vehicle satisfactory ride and steering characteristics without

compromising tire tread life. For recommended tire pressures in all conditions.

For additional information, refer to:

Specifications

(204-04 Wheels and Tires, Specifications).

Always check tire inflation pressures using an accurate gauge and inflate tires to the recommended pressures only .

Check and adjust tire pressures ONLY when the tires are cold, vehicle parked for three hours or more, or driven for less

than 3.2 km (2 miles) at speeds below 64 km/h (40 mph). Do not reduce inflation pressures if the tires are hot or the

vehicle has been driven for more than 3.2 km (2 miles) at speeds over 64 km/h (40 mph), as pressures can increase by

0.41 bars (6 lb/in!) over cold inflation pressures.

Check ALL tire pressures including the spare. Refit the valve caps as they form a positive seal and keep dust out of the

valve.

WHEEL BALANCING

CAUTION: It is essential that all wheel balancing is carried out off the vehicle. The use of on the vehicle balancing

could cause component damage or personal injury and MUST NOT be attempted.

• NOTE: Before attempting to balance a wheel and tire assembly clean all mud and dirt deposits from both inside and

outside rims and remove existing balance weights.

Remove stones from the tire tread in order to avoid operator injury during dynamic balancing and to obtain the correct

balance.

Inspect tires for damage and correct tire pressures and balance according to the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Steel wheels

Clean area of wheel rim and attach balance weights in position shown.

Alloy wheels

Clean area of wheel rim and attach adhesive balance weights in position shown. Cut through rear face of weight strip to

detach required weights.

CAUTION: Use only correct adhesive balance weights to avoid damage to aluminium wheel rim. DO NOT attempt

to use a steel wheel weight on an aluminium wheel.

Static Balance

Wheel tramp

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