24 hours. If the leakage exceeds 5 percent, the tire should not be issued until remedial action is taken. A loss of pressure less than 5 percent may be experienced during the first 24 hours after initial inflation of a new tire. This is attributed to normal tire stretch. The tire pressure should be adjusted accordingly. Tubeless tires are inflated in the same manner as tube tires except the valve core is not removed. TIRE RETREADING AND REPAIR The Navy considers all aircraft tires to be potentially retreadable. Used aircraft tires should not be discarded or scrapped until they have been determined unfit for further use. All tires removed from aircraft should have the injuries marked with a wax crayon. Then, the tire should be turned in to the AIMD or IMA for screening. The AIMD or IMA will determine if the tire is serviceable or nonserviceable and take the necessary action. Serviceable Tires Serviceable tires are those judged suitable for continued service use by the tire shop personnel. They should be retained in service until the remaining tread at any spot is one thirty-second of an inch thick or to the limits of the tread wear indicators. Defects permitted are cut limits contained on the tire sidewall or as listed in Aircraft Tires and Tubes, NAVAIR 04-10-506. Cuts are permitted in the sidewall provided they do not penetrate to the cord body fabric. Nonserviceable Tires Nonserviceable tires may be nonretreadable or retreadable. Nonretreadable tires should be coded “H’ (BCM-9) for condemnation and forwarded to the local supply department. The following inspection criteria must be used by the tire shop personnel to determine those tires that are nonretreadable: Blowouts Punctures extending through the entire carcass measuring more than one-fourth inch in diameter or length on the outside and more than one-eighth inch in diameter or length on the inside Loose, frayed, or broken cords evident on the inner tire surface Cord body fabric damage, visible to the naked eye without the use of mechanical devices NOTE: Exposure of cords on fabric- reinforced tread tires (which is imprinted on the tire sidewall) is permissible. 217.186 Figure 11-26.—Rapid tread wear caused by underinflation. Kinked, broken, or exposed wire beads Tread separation and bulges exceeding 1 inch Tires saturated with rubber deteriorating liquids Tires exposed to excessive heat All tires removed from service, which are not condemned, are potentially rebuildable and should be condition coded "F" (BCM-1) and returned to the supply department for retreading. The number of retreads a carcass may receive will be based solely on carcass integrity as determined by the inspection criteria. TIRE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE Debris on runways and in parking areas causes tire failures, and results in many tires being removed long before they reach full service life. It is important that those areas be kept clean at all times. When you ground handle an aircraft, do not pivot with one wheel locked or turn sharply at slow speeds. 11-26