SPEED RATINGS
†Speed Speed
Maximum
Ratingmph km/Hr
M 81 130
N 87 140
P 93 150
R 99 160
R 106 170
S 112 180
T 118 190
H 130 210
W 168 270
Y 186 300
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 speedratings 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 maxi-
mum 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 underinflated, overloaded, worn
out, damaged, altered, improperly repaired, or re-
treaded. Furthermore, tire speed ratings do not implythat 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 un-
usual 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 retailer. The speed and other ratings of re-
treaded 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 rat-
ings equal to or higher than those fitted as original
equipment (as indicated onthe vehicle placard or Own-
er’s Manual). If tires with lower speed ratings are fitted,
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 inflation
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 INSPECTION
INSPECT 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 underinflation. Impacts can damage the inner por-
tion of the tire without beingvisible onthe outside. If
damage can be seen on the tires or wheels, or if you
suspect that possible impact damage may have oc-
curred, replace with spare at once and have your tire
store or retailer inspect your tires immediately. Use of a
damaged tire could result in tire destruction. When in-
specting 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 dam-
age 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 con-
dition, 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.
TREAD WEAR INDICATORS (WEAR BARS):Tires contain
Tread Wear Indicators (Wear Bars) in the grooves of the
tire tread whichshow 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.
(Continued on next page)
IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION147
HAZARDS
Objects in the road that threaten a tire should be safely
avoided. These objects arepotholes, 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 cau-
tion until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and
inspect the tires. If the tire is underinflated or damaged,
deflate, 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 retailer to
have the vehicle inspected.
REPAIRING, MOUNTING AND DEMOUNTING
OF TIRES
Do not attempt to repair, mount or demount a tire your-
self.Tire changing can be dangerous and must be done
by professionally trained persons using proper tools
and procedures as specified by the Rubber Manufactur-
ers Association (RMA).Follow these mounting recom-
mendations.Your tires should be mounted on wheels of
correct size and type and which are in good, clean con-
dition. Bent, chipped or rusted wheels may cause tire
damage. The inside of the tire must be free from foreign
materials.Have your retailer 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 atire is mounted by error on the wrong-sized rim, do not
remount it on the proper rim - scrap it. It may be dam-
aged 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 de-
signed 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 qualified 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 RETAILER
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)Passen-
ger 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 retailer for possible damage that may have
occurred.
Improper mounting and inflation procedures can cause
an explosion of the tire/rim assembly. Only specially
trained persons should perform these tasks. Contact
your tire store or retailer for assistance.
CAUTION - Never, under any circumstance, introduce a
flammable substance into a tire.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING
Wheel 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 align-
ment or balance. These conditions not only shorten the
life of your tires, but adversely affect the handling char-
acteristics of your vehicle which could be dangerous. If
you detect irregular wear or vibration, have your align-
ment and balance checked immediately. Tires which
have been run underinflated will show more wear on the
shoulders than in the center of the tread.
(Continued on next page)* Provided by and published at the requestof the tire manufacturers/warrantors.
48IMPORTANT TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION1