34
SPEED SYMBOLS - are shown on the sidewall of some
tires. The following table shows the maximum speed
corresponding to the symbol.
SPEED RATINGS
†Speed Speed Maximum
Rating mph km/Hr
M 81 130
N 87 140
P 93 150
Q 99 160
R 106 170
S 112 180
T 118 190
H 130 210
V* 149 240
Z** 149 240
*Some V (or VR) rated tires may have a speed
capacity of greater than 149 mph (240 km/h) . Consult
your tire manufacturer for maximum speed ratings if your
vehicle capability exceeds this speed.
**Z (or ZR) rated tires are designed for use on
cars with maximum speed capabilities in excess
of 149 mph (240 km/h) . Consult your tire manufacturer
for maximum speed capabilities.
†Although a tire may be speed rated, we do not endorse the
operation of any vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful manner. Speed ratings are based on laboratory tests which relate
to performance on the road, but are not applicable if tires
are underinfl ated, overloaded, worn out, damaged, altered,
improperly repaired, or retreaded. Furthermore, tire speed
ratings do not imply that vehicles can be safely driven at
the maximum speed for which the tire is rated, particularly
under adverse road and weather conditions or if the vehicle
has unusual characteristics. Most highway passenger tires
that do not have a speed symbol in the sidewall have a
maximum speed rating of 105 mph. Light truck highway
tires that do not have a speed symbol on the sidewall of
the tire have a maximum speed of 87 mph. Some light
truck tires may have higher maximum speeds; consult
your tire dealer. The speed and other ratings of retreaded
tires are assigned by the retreader and voids the original
manufacturer’s ratings.
IMPORTANT: In order to maintain the speed capability
of the vehicle, replacement tires must have speed ratings
equal to or higher than those fi tted as original equipment
(as indicated on the vehicle placard or owners manual) .
If tires with lower speed ratings are fi tted, the speed
capability of the vehicle will be lowered to the maximum
speed capability of the replacement tire as indicated on
the above table.
Remember...High speed driving can be dangerous and
may be damaging to your tires.
And...When driving at highway speeds, correct infl ation
pressure is especially important.
Contact the manufacturer of your tires for their position
and assistance on the repair of speed-rated tires. When
you are replacing tires that have a speed rating, you must
replace with tires of the same or higher speed rating if the
speed capability of the vehicle is to be maintained.
VISUAL INSPECTIONINSPECT YOUR TIRES. DO NOT DRIVE ON A
DAMAGED TIRE OR WHEEL. Check your tires frequently
for scrapes, bulges, separations, cuts, snags, cracks,
penetrations or excessive localized wear from hard braking.
Also check for abnormal tire wear, particularly on the edges
of the tire tread which may be caused by misalignment or
underinfl ation. Impacts can damage the inner portion of the
tire without being visible on the outside. If damage can be
seen on the tires or wheels, or if you suspect that possible
impact damage may have occurred, replace with spare at
once and have your tire store or dealer inspect your tires
immediately. Use of a damaged tire could result in tire
destruction. When inspecting your tires, including the spare,
check your air pressures. If your pressure check indicates
that one of your tires has lost pressure of two pounds or
more, look for signs of penetrations, valve leakage, or wheel
damage that may account for the air loss.
All tires will wear out faster when subjected to high speeds
as well as hard cornering, rapid starts, sudden stops,
frequent driving on roads which are in poor condition, and
off-road use. Roads with holes and rocks or other objects
can damage tires and cause misalignment of your vehicle.
When you drive on such roads, drive on them carefully
and slowly, and before driving again at normal or highway
speeds, examine your tires for any damage, such as cuts,
bulges, penetrations, unusual wear patterns, etc.
* Provided by and published at the request of the tire
manufacturers/warrantors.
IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION*
(Continued on page 35)
57052 Booklet text pages.indd 3457052 Booklet text pages.indd 348/30/06 3:34:27 PM8/30/06 3:34:27 PM
35
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS (WEAR BARS): Tires
contain Tread Wear Indicators (Wear Bars) in the
grooves of the tire tread which show up when only
2/32nds of an inch (1.6mm) of tread is remaining. At
this stage, your tires must be replaced. Tires worn
beyond this stage are dangerous.
HAZARDSObjects in the road that threaten a tire should be safely
avoided. These objects are potholes, glass, metal, rocks,
wood debris and the like. Unavoidable contact should
prompt a thorough tire inspection.
You may not always recall hitting an object that can damage
or injure your tires. If while driving your vehicle experiences
any unusual vibrations, ride disturbance or noise and/or
you suspect that possible damage to the tires or vehicle
has occurred. DO NOT JAM OR LOCK YOUR BRAKES!
Rather reduce your speed and drive with caution until you
can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tires. If
the tire is underinfl ated or damaged, defl ate, remove the
tire and rim assembly and replace it with your spare. If you
cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest
vehicle or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.
REPAIRING, MOUNTING AND
DEMOUNTING OF TIRES
Do not attempt to repair, mount or demount a
tire yourself. Tire changing can be dangerous and
must be done by professionally trained persons using
proper tools and procedures as specifi ed by the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) . Follow these
mounting recommendations. Your tires should be
mounted on wheels of correct size and type and which are
in good, clean condition. Bent, chipped or rusted wheels
may cause tire damage. The inside of the tire must be free from foreign materials. Have your dealer check the
wheels before mounting new tires. Mismatched tires
and rims can explode during mounting. Also, mismatched
tires and rims can result in dangerous tire failure on the
road. If a tire is mounted by error on the wrong-sized rim,
do not remount it on the proper rim - scrap it. It may be
damaged internally (which is not externally visible) by being
dangerously stretched and could fail on the highway.
Old valves may leak. When new tubeless tires are mounted,
have new valves of the correct type installed. Tubeless tires
must be mounted only on wheels designed for tubeless
tires, i.e., wheels which have safety humps or ledges.
Never perform a temporary repair, use an innertube or
inject sealant as a permanent substitute for a proper
repair. Only qualifi ed persons should repair tires.
Be sure that all your valves have suitable valve caps. This
will keep valve cores clean and clear and guard against
leakage.
REPAIRS - WHENEVER POSSIBLE, SEE A TIRE
DEALER AT ONCE. Some tire manufacturers do not
warrant any inspection or repair process. The repair is
entirely the responsibility of the repairer. Punctures in the
tread of a passenger tire which do not exceed 1/4 of an inch
(6mm) in diameter can usually be repaired by following the
Rubber Manufacturer's Association (RMA) Passenger and
Light Truck Repair procedures. Contact the manufacturer of
your tires for its position and assistance as to the acceptable
location for a proper repair and the repair of speed rated
tires. Do not use plug repairs. They may cause further
damage to the tire. They are not always air tight and
the plug may fail. Do not exceed posted speed limits on
any repaired tire. Certain tire manufacturers speed ratings are voided if the tire is repaired.
Although a tire was properly repaired, internal structural
damage resulting from the puncture may have occurred.
Sometime later the damage may cause the tire to be
removed from service.
If the tire has a puncture in the tread which exceeds 1/4 inch
(6mm) , the tire must be replaced. If any tire has sustained a
puncture, have the tire inspected internally by a tire dealer
for possible damage that may have occurred.
Improper mounting and infl ation procedures can cause an
explosion of the tire/rim assembly. Only specially trained
persons should perform these tasks. Contact your tire store
or dealer for assistance.
CAUTION - Never, under any circumstance,
introduce a fl ammable substance into a tire.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCINGWheel alignment and balancing are important for safety
and maximum mileage from your tires. Check how your
tires are wearing at least once a month. If your tires are
wearing unevenly, such as the inside shoulder of the tire
wearing faster than the rest of the tread, or if you detect
excessive vibration, your vehicle may be out of alignment
or balance. These conditions not only shorten the life of
your tires, but adversely affect the handling characteristics
of your vehicle which could be dangerous. If you detect
irregular wear or vibration, have your alignment and
balance checked immediately. Tires which have been run
underinfl ated will show more wear on the shoulders than
in the center of the tread.
* Provided by and published at the request of the tire
manufacturers/warrantors.
IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION*
(Continued on page 36)
57052 Booklet text pages.indd 3557052 Booklet text pages.indd 358/30/06 3:34:27 PM8/30/06 3:34:27 PM
36
HARD BRAKINGYou must inspect your tires after any hard braking
circumstances or after tires have slid on the pavement. This
can cause a fl at spot in a section of the tire tread.
TIRE SPINNINGNever spin your tires above a speedometer reading of 35
mph (55 km/h) if your vehicle becomes stuck. The centrifugal
force generated by the free spinning tire/wheel assembly
may cause a sudden tire explosion, resulting in vehicle
damage and/or serious personal injury or death. Never
allow anyone to stand near or behind a tire spinning at
high speed while attempting to push a vehicle that is stuck.
When in mud, sand, snow, ice or other slippery conditions,
do not indulge in excessive wheel spin. In such conditions,
with automatic transmission vehicles, by accelerating the
engine excessively, it is possible to spin one of the drive
tires beyond its speed capability. This is also true when
balancing a drive tire/wheel assembly using the engine of
the vehicle to spin the wheel.
TIRE TREADTires must be replaced when the depth of the tread
reaches 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) . Tires are manufactured with
tread wear indicators molded into the tire grooves which
indicate tread wearout. As tires approximate 2/32 inch (1.6
mm) wearout, the tread gauge becomes thinner and more
vulnerable to the effects of road hazards. Also, worn tires
are more subject to hydroplaning, which can cause loss
of control. Therefore, visual tire inspection becomes more
crucial as the tires wear out.
WORN TIRESNever drive on worn tires. Tires should be replaced by trained
personnel when 2/32nds of an inch tread depth remains,
as indicated by the tread wear indicators molded into the
tread grooves. In most states, it is illegal to drive with less
than 2/32nds of an inch of tread remaining.
TIRE MIXINGFor best performance select tires similar in size and load
rating to the original equipment tires. It is recommended
that the same size and type of tire be used on all four
wheel positions. In certain tires, casing ply material and
ply construction may vary as indicated on the sidewall of
the tire. When changing or replacing tires, it is preferred
that all four tires are the same construction type (i.e., High
Performance, All Season, Mud & Snow) and construction
(Radial or Bias Ply) . Before mixing tires of different types on
a vehicle in any confi guration, be sure to check the vehicle
owner’s manual for its recommendations.
Tires which meet the Rubber Manufacturer's Association
(RMA) defi nition of mud and snow tires are marked M/S,
M+S, M&S. On such tires, this designation is molded
into the sidewall. Tires without this notation are not
recommended for mud and/or snow driving.
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select tires
equivalent in size and load rating to the original equipment
tires. Always fi t performance snow tires in sets of four
(4) for optimum mud & snow traction and maintenance
of vehicle handling characteristics. If you do not, it may
adversely affect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
It is also important to check the vehicle owner’s manual
before mixing or matching tires on 4-wheel drive vehicles
as this may require special precautions.Please refer to your Owner’s Manual for more information
on tire replacement precautions.
TIRE ROTATIONTires on your Nissan vehicle should be rotated every 7,500
miles or as irregular wear develops. If irregular wear becomes
apparent or if the wear rate on the tires is perceptibly uneven,
the tires should be rotated in such a way to alleviate the
problem. Check your vehicle for any mechanical problems
and correct if necessary. Any rotation pattern or procedure
may be followed including those indicated in the Owner’s
Manual. Some tires have arrows on the sidewall showing
the direction in which the tire should turn. When rotating
this type of tire, care must be taken to maintain the proper
turning direction as indicated by the arrows. Some vehicles
have different tire sizes specifi ed for front and rear axles.
Tires on these vehicles should not be rotated side to side
(unless they are directional) . Where a temporary type
spare tire is available, it should not be included in the tire
rotation schedule. Such tires are intended for temporary
use only. Whenever only two tires are replaced, the new
tires should be put on the rear axle of vehicles equipped
with the same size tire on all four wheel positions.
* Provided by and published at the request of the tire
manufacturers/warrantors.
IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION*
(Continued on page 37)
57052 Booklet text pages.indd 3657052 Booklet text pages.indd 368/30/06 3:34:27 PM8/30/06 3:34:27 PM
37
TRAILER TOWINGIf you anticipate towing a trailer, you should see a tire dealer
for advice concerning the correct size of tire and pressure.
Tire size and pressure will depend on the type and size
of the trailer and hitch utilized, but in no case must the
maximum cold infl ation pressure or the tire load rating be
exceeded. Check the tire decal and your Owner’s Manual
for further recommendations on trailer towing.
TIRE ALTERATIONSDo not perform any alterations on your tires. Alterations may
prevent proper performance, leading to tire damage, which
can result in an accident. Tires which become unserviceable
due to alterations such as truing, whitewall inlays, addition
of balancing or sealant liquids, may be excluded from
warranty coverage. Consult your tire warranty.
HIGH PRESSURE TEMPORARY SPARE
TIRES
1) The high-pressure spare tire in your Nissan vehicle is
designed for temporary use only and must not be used
continually as a regular tire. The standard tire should
be repaired and/or replaced as soon as possible.
2) Avoid driving over obstacles that may damage the tire
through impact or cutting, such as potholes, glass,
metal, etc.3) Speed must not exceed 50MPH (80km/h) for non-
speed-rated temporary spare tires.
4) Temporary spare tires have a limited treadlife which
can vary depending on road conditions and your
driving habits. The spare tire should be returned to
the trunk as soon as the standard tire can be repaired
or replaced.
5) Because the high-pressure spare tire was specifi cally
designed for your car, it should not be used on any
other vehicle.
6) Do not use snow chains on your high-pressure spare.
This could cause damage to your vehicle.
7) Check the tire’s cold infl ation pressure monthly and
maintain at 60psi (4.2kg/cm
2) even when not in
use.
8) The high-pressure spare tire should not be used with
any other rim nor should standard tires, wheel covers,
or trim rings be used on the high-pressure spare tire
rim which was originally installed.
9) When the tread wear indicator appears on the tire,
replace it only with the same type spare tire.
10) Do not enter an automatic carwash with a temporary
spare tire fi tted.
11) Do not make a sharp turn or apply the brakes suddenly
when driving on a high-pressure temporary spare.
Note: When using any temporary type spare tire, be sure to
follow the vehicle Owner’s Manual instructions.
TIRE STORAGEAll tires should be stored in a cool dry place indoors so that
there is no danger of water collecting inside them.
When tires are stored they should be stored in a cool place
away from sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes
and electric generators. Be sure that surfaces on which
tires are stored are clean and free from grease, gasoline
or other substances which could deteriorate the rubber.
(Tires exposed to these materials during storage or driving
could be subject to sudden failure.)
To Avoid Damage to your Tires and
Possible Accident:
• Check tire pressure at least once a month when
tires are cold and before long trips.
• Do not underinfl ate/overinfl ate.
• Do not overload.
• Drive at moderate speeds, observe legal limits.
• Avoid driving over potholes, obstacles, curbs or
edges of pavement.
• Avoid excessive wheel spinning.
• If you see any damage to a tire, replace with spare
and see the tire manufacturer’s dealer or your
Nissan dealership.
For further information, the Consumer Tire Guide on
passenger tire care, safety and mileage performance is
available in the United States by writing the Tire Industry
Safety Council, Box 1801, Washington, D.C. 20013.
* Provided by and published at the request of the tire
manufacturers/warrantors.
IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION*
57052 Booklet text pages.indd 3757052 Booklet text pages.indd 378/30/06 3:34:28 PM8/30/06 3:34:28 PM