WHEELS AND TIRES
289
Tires – storage and ageWhen storing complete wheels (tires mounted on rims), they should be suspended off the flooror placed on their sides on the floor.
New Tires
Remember that tires are perishable goods. As of 2000, the manufacturing week and year (Depart-ment of Transportation (DOT) stamp) will be indi-cated with 4 digits (e.g., 1513 means that the tireillustrated was manufactured during week 15 of2013).
Tire ageTires degrade over time, even when they are not being used. It is recommended that tires gener-ally be replaced after 6 years of normal service.Heat caused by hot climates, frequent high load-ing conditions or Ultra Violet (U.V.) exposure can accelerate the aging process. The temporary spare
1
should also be replaced at 6-year inter-
vals, even if it has never been used. A tire's age can be determined by the DOT stamp on the sidewall (see the illustration). A tire with e.g., visible cracks or discoloration should be replaced immediately.
Storing wheels and tiresWhen storing completes wheels (tires mountedon rims), they should be suspended off the flooror placed on their sides on the floor. Tires not mounted on rims should be stored on their sides or standing upright, but should not besuspended.
CAUTION
Tires should preferably be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, and should never be stored inclose proximity to solvents, gasoline, oils, etc.
WARNING
• The wheel and tire sizes for your Volvo are specified to meet stringent stabilityand handling requirements. Unapprovedwheel/tire size combinations can nega-tively affect your vehicle's stability andhandling.
• Any damage caused by installation ofunapproved wheel/tire size combinationswill not be covered by your new vehiclewarranty. Volvo assumes no responsibilityfor death, injury, or expenses that mayresult from such installations.
Related information
•Tire specifications (p. 298)
• Tire specifications (p. 298)
• Changing a wheel – direction of rotation (p. 291)
• Tires – tread wear indicator (p. 290)
1
Option or accessory on some models
WHEELS AND TIRES
}}
311
NOTE
•The tire monitoring systems use a tem- perature compensated pressure value.This pressure value is dependent on tiretemperature and ambient temperature,which can differ from the recommendedcold tire pressure in the tire inflation tableand on the tire pressure placard locatedon the driver's side B-pillar (the structuralmember at the side of the vehicle, at therear of the driver's door opening). Thismeans that it may sometimes be neces-sary to inflate them slightly above therecommended cold pressure value(approx. 3-4 psi or 0.2-0.3 bar) in orderto reset a low tire pressure warning.
• To help avoid incorrect tire inflation pres-sure, if possible only inflate the tireswhen they are cold. The tires are consid-ered to be cold when they have the sametemperature as the surrounding (ambi-ent) air. This temperature is normallyreached after the vehicle has beenparked for at least 3 hours. After driving adistance of approximately 1 mile (1.6 km),the tires are considered to be hot.
CAUTION
•
After inflating the tires, always reinstall the valve cap to help avoid damage to thevalve from dirt, gravel, etc.
• Use plastic valve caps only. Metal capscould corrode and become difficult toremove.
WARNING
•Incorrect inflation pressure could lead to tire failure, resulting in a loss of control ofthe vehicle.
• Tire monitoring systems cannot indicatesudden tire damage caused by externalfactors (e.g., a blowout) in advance.
Related information
•Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) – general information (p. 308)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) –recalibrating (p. 309)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) –activating/deactivating (p. 310)
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) –changing wheels (p. 308)
• Tire pressure monitoring - overview (p. 304)
Self-supporting run flat tires (SST)
Self-supporting run flat tires are available as optional equipment on certain models.
The vehicle must be equipped with one of the tire pressure monitoring systems if tires of this typeare installed. Tires of this type have specially reinforced side- walls that make it possible to continue driving toa limited extent even though the tire has lostsome or all of its inflation pressure. These tiresare mounted on special rims (normal tires canalso be mounted on these rims). If an SST tire loses inflation pressure, the yellow TPMS symbol illuminates in the instrument paneland a text message is also displayed. If this hap-pens, reduce speed to not more than 50 mph(80 km/h). The tire should be replaced as soonas possible.
