Any tire, no matter how well constructed, may fail due to
improper maintenance or service factors. This could
create a risk of property damage and serious or fatal
injury. Disregarding any of the safety precautions and
instructions contained in this m anual may result in tire
failure or explosion caus ing serious personal injury or
death. For your safety, comply with the following:
TIRE INFLATION
Keep tires inflated to the pressures recommended on
the tire data placard. (See your OWNER’S MANUAL for
location.) These inflation pressures must be maintained
as a minimum. However, do not exceed the maximum
pressure rating indicated on the tire sidewall.
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURES ON ALL YOUR TIRES, IN-
CLUDING THE SPARE, WHEN TIRES ARE COLD, AT LEAST
ONCE A MONTH BEFORE DRIVING.
Failure to maintain correct inflation may result in im-
proper vehicle handling and may cause rapid and ir-
regular tire wear, sudden tire destruction, loss of vehicle
control and serious personal injury. Therefore, inflation
pressures should be checked at least once a month and
always prior to long distance trips.
Pressures should be checked when tires are cold. The
tires are cold when your vehicle has been driven less
than a mile at moderate speed after being stopped for
three or more hours.
CHECKING PRESS URE WHEN TIRES ARE HOT
If you must add air when your tires are hot, add four
pounds per square inch (psi) (28kPa) above the recom-
mended cold air pressure. Recheck the inflation pres-
sure when the tire is cold.
For Example Only:
Gauge reading of hot tire: 32psi
If recommended pressure is: 30psi
Desired gauge reading of hot tire 30 + 4psi = 34psi
Check cold pressures as soon as possible, at least by the
next day. Never “bleed” air from hot tires as your tire will
be underinflated. Use an accurate tire gauge to check
pressures. Never allow children to air up tires.
DRIVING ON ANY TIRE THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE COR-
RECT INFLATION PRESSURE IS DANGEROUS. For re-
placement tires, the correct inflation pressure will be
provided by your tire retailer. If not, refer to the vehicle
decal.
Underinflation produces extreme flexing of the side-
walls and builds up heat which may result in sudden tire
destruction and serious person al injury. Overinflating
can cause the tire to be more susceptible to impact
damage.
LOAD LIMITS
DO NOT OVERLOAD. DRIVING ON ANY OVERLOADED
TIRE IS DANGEROUS. Never load your tires beyond the
load carrying limits molded into the sidewall of the tires
or the maximum vehicle load limit as shown on the
vehicle tire data placard, whichever is less. Overloading
causes heat to build up which can lead to sudden tire
failure and serious personal injury.
SPEED LIMITS AND SPEED RATED TIRES
HIGH SPEED DRIVING CAN BE DANGEROUS. Never op-
erate your vehicle in excess of lawful speeds or the
maximum speeds justified by the driving conditions.
Excessive speeds or racing can cause heat buildup in a
tire leading to possible f ailure and serious personal
injury.
Correct inflation pressure is especially important. How-
ever, at high speeds, ev en with the correct inflation
pressure, a road hazard, for example, is more difficult to
avoid and if contact is made, there is a greater chance of
causing tire damage than at the lower speed. Moreover,
driving at high speed reduces the reaction time avail-
able to avoid accidents and bring your vehicle to a safe
stop. If you see any damage to a tire or wheel, replace it
with your spare tire and see your tire retailer at once.
Tire speed ratings do not imply that a vehicle can be
safely driven at the maximum speed for which the tire is
rated. In addition, some damages or improper repairs
may cause a speed-rated tire to lose its speed rating.
Exceeding the tire’s maximum speed rating will cause
the tire to build up excessive heat which can cause tire
damage that could result in sudden tire destruction and
rapid air loss. Failure to control a vehicle with sudden air
loss can lead to an accident. In any case, you should not
exceed reasonable speeds as indicated by the legal
limits and driving conditions.
SPEED SYMBOLS - are shown on the sidewall of some
tires. The following table shows the maximum speed
corresponding to the symbol.
(Continued on next page)
1 Provided by and published at the request of the tire manufacturers/warrantors.
IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION147
