Taking Care of Wheels of Your Maruti Alto

Tyres are critical parts of any vehicle. It is essential to take care of them periodically with inspection and replacements.

Tyre Pressure

The front and rear tyre pressure specifications for your vehicle are listed on the Tyre Inflation Pressure Label and in the "SPECIFICATIONS" section in owners manual of Alto. Both the front and rear tyres should have the specified tyre pressure.

Maruti Alto Tyre Pressure Indicator
Maruti Alto Tyre Pressure Indicator

Tyre Inspection

Inspect your vehicle's tyres periodically by performing the following checks:

Measure the air pressure with a tyre gauge. Adjust the pressure if necessary. Remember to check the spare tyre too.

Warnings

  • Air pressures should be checked when the tyres are cold or you may
    get inaccurate readings.
  • Check the inflation pressure from time to time while inflating the tyre gradually, until the specified pressure is obtained.
  • Never underinflate or overinflate the tyres. Underinflation can cause unusual handling characteristics or can cause the rim to slip on the tyre bead, resulting in an accident or damage to the tyre or rim.
  • Overinflation can cause the tyre to burst, resulting in personal injury. Overinflation can also cause unusual handling characteristics
    which may result in an accident.

Check that the depth of the tread groove is more than 1.6 mm (0.06 in). To help you check this, the tyres have moulded in tread wear indicators in the grooves. When the indicators appear on the tread surface, the remaining depth of the tread is 1.6 mm (0.06 in) or less and the tyre should be replaced.

Tyre Tread Wear Indicator
Tyre Tread Wear Indicator

Check for abnormal wear, cracks and damage. Any tyres with cracks or other damage should be replaced. If any tyres show abnormal wear, have them inspected by your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.

Warning : Hitting curbs and running over rocks can damage tyres and affect wheel alignment. Be sure to have tyres and wheel alignment checked periodically by your MARUTI SUZUKI dealer.

Check for loose wheel nuts.

Check that there are no nails, stones, or other objects sticking into the tyres.

Warning : Your MARUTI SUZUKI is equipped with tyres which are all the same type and size. This is important to ensure proper steering and handling of the vehicle. Never mix tyres of different size or type on the four wheels of your vehicle. The size and type of tyres used should be only those approved by MARUTI SUZUKI as standard or optional equipment for your vehicle.

Warning : Replacing the wheels and tyres equipped on your vehicle  with certain combinations of aftermarket wheels and tyres can significantly change the steering and handling characteristics of your vehicle. Therefore, use only those wheel and tyre combinations approved by MARUTI SUZUKI as standard or optional equipment for your vehicle.

Caution : Replacing the original tyres with tyres of a different size may result in false speedometer or odometer readings.

Tyre Rotation

To avoid uneven wear of your tyres and to prolong their life, rotate the tyres as illustrated. Tyres should be rotated as recommended in the periodic maintenance schedule. After rotation, adjust front and rear tyre pressures to the specification listed on your vehicle's Tyre Inflation Pressure Label.

Maruti Alto Tyre Rotation
Maruti Alto Tyre Rotation

Wheel Balancing

If the vehicle vibrates abnormally on smooth road, have the wheels balanced at Maruti Suzuki authorized workshop.

Wheel Alignment

In case of abnormal tyre wear or pulling towards one side, have the wheel aligned at Maruti Suzuki authorized workshop.

Changing Wheels

To change a wheel, use the following procedure:

1) Remove the jack , tools and spare wheel from the vehicle.

Marutil Alto Wheel Replacement Spanner
Marutil Alto Wheel Replacement Spanner
Marutil Alto Spare Wheel
Marutil Alto Spare Wheel

NOTE:

If it is hard to loosen the bolt that secures the spare tyre, use the jack crank as illustrated.

Marutil Alto Extra Wheel Removal
Marutil Alto Extra Wheel Removal

2) Loosen, but do not remove the wheel nuts.

3) Jack up the vehicle (follow the jacking instructions in the EMERGENCY SERVICE section in this manual)

Maruti Alto Wheel Bolts Tightening
Maruti Alto Wheel Bolts Tightening

4) Remove the wheel nuts and wheel.

5) Before installing the new wheel, clean any mud or dirt off from the surface of the wheel and hub with a clean cloth. Clean the hub carefully; it may be hot from driving.

6) Install the new wheel and replace the wheel nuts with their cone shaped end facing the wheel. Tighten each nut snugly by hand until the wheel is securely seated on the hub.

7) Lower the jack and fully tighten the nuts [to 8.5 kg-m (61.5 lb-ft)] in a crisscross fashion with a wrench as shown in the illustration.

Warning : Use MARUTI Genuine wheel nuts and tighten them to the specified torque as soon as possible after changing wheels. Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts may come loose or fall off, which can result in an accident. If you do not have a torque wrench, have the wheel nut torque checked by a MARUTI SUZUKI authorized dealer.

Tubeless Tyres (If equipped)

The vehicle is equipped with Tubeless Tyres. In tubeless tyre, a thin layer of butyl rubber is used for lining the inside of the tubeless tyre. This layer is to prevent air loss and fulfilling the purpose of tube. The air pressure is maintained by the sealing between tyre bead and wheel rim. Tubeless tyres are having advantage of slow air loss and preventing sudden deflation while driving.

Care and maintenance tips for tubeless tyres

  1. Always maintain recommended inflation pressure. Driving continously at low inflation pressure can lead to tyre damage.
  2. In case any leakage is found, check for any nail penetration/valve core damage or rim bent. Damaged wheel must not be used.
  3. In case tyre has run at low pressue, it must be inspected for any defect.
  4. Whenver new tyre is fitted, replace the valve.
  5. If continous high speed driving is required, increase tyres pressure by 5 psi over recommended inflation pressure.
  6. Never run the tyre beyond TWI (Tread wear indicator). The tyre is recommended to be replaced when the remaining tread has worn to this point. The indicators are spaced across the tread around the tyre marked by a triagular symbol (TWI).
  7. Always prefer tubeless tyre mounting machine. In case of manual mountingtyre/ wheel rim damage may occur.
  8. In case of any problem, please get in touch with MARUTI SUZUKI authorised dealer.