their use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices,
differences in road characteristics, and climate.
•Traction - The traction grades from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and
C, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
mNOTICE!
The traction grade assigned to tires is based on locked braking (straight
ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
•Temperature - The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperatures
can cause the materials of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of performance that all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading either separately or in combination can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. This can cause an accident, which
could lead to serious personal injury or death.
•DOT Quality Grades - All passenger car tires must conform to federal
requirements in addition to these grades.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
If you need assistance, please contact your authorized Nitto retailer. To
locate an authorized Nitto dealer, use our dealer locator at
www.nittotire.comor contact Nitto Consumer Relations at:
NITTO TIRE U.S.A. INC.
P.O. Box 6064
Cypress, California 90630-6064
888-529-8200
(8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time)
TIRE SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND TIRE USAGE INFORMATION FOR
NITTO NT05R TIRES ON THE DODGE CHALLENGER SRT DE-
MON.
Your drag radial tires are designed for racing conditions and are not
like ordinary passenger car tires. Follow the instructions on this page
to promote tire safety and to better understand your drag radial tires’
characteristics. To the extent any information on this page differs from
the general tire care information elsewhere in this manual, follow the
instructions on this page for your tires.
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPETITION TIRES
The drag radial tires installed on this vehicle are designed for competi-
tion use, and feature a race compound, limited tread grooves, and
shallow tread depth, to provide maximum dry traction. Therefore, these
tires are not recommended for use in wet weather conditions where there
is risk of hydroplaning and loss of vehicle control.
If you encounter wet conditions, do not continue to drive. Carefully
reduce your speed and pull over to a safe area until road conditions
improve. Please see the “Adverse Weather Driving” section for additional
safety information when operating your vehicle in these conditions.
WARNING!
DO NOT DRIVE ON THESE TIRES IN WET WEATHER
CONDITIONS. Your ability to safely maneuver your vehicle in
these conditions is greatly reduced, which may result in a loss of
vehicle control and serious personal injury or death.
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273
TIRE HANDLING AND STORAGE IN COLDER CLIMATES
The rubber compounds used in the drag tires have unique properties
that, when compared to other tires, can cause them to lose some of their
flexibility when used or handled in conditions below 15°F (-9°C). This
loss in flexibility can lead to potential cracking and other damage to the
tire. To minimize the chances of this happening, you are advised to follow
these instructions:
1. Do not move or operate the car with these tires in conditions below
15°F (-9°C).
2. Avoid moving these tires in conditions below 15°F (-9°C).
3.
Before mounting and dismounting, store these tires for at least 24 hours
in a temperature-controlled environment of 68°F (20°C) or warmer.
4. Remove these tires from the vehicle and deflate to half the normal
air-pressure during prolonged periods of non-use or storage.
Always inspect tires for signs of cracking and never use tires that have
cracked.
WARNING!
DO NOT DRIVE ON THESE TIRES IN EXTREME COLD WEATHER
CONDITIONS. Driving or moving a vehicle with drag radial tires
installed in conditions below 15°F (-9°C) may cause cracking or other
damage to the tire. This can lead to tire failure, which may result in
loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury or death.
TIRE STORAGE
When dismounted from the wheel for storage, the drag tires should be
stored indoors in a cool, dry location. The tires should be placed away
from direct sunlight, harmful ozone-producing electric generators and
motors and sources of heat, such as hot pipes. Storage surfaces should be
clean and free of grease, gasoline, or other substances, which can
deteriorate the rubber.
WARNING!
Improper storage can damage your tires in ways that may not be
visible and result in tire failure, which may result in loss of vehicle
control, and lead to serious personal injury or death.
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275
WARNING!
Driving on tires with insufficient inflation pressure is dangerous
because it will cause your tires to overheat. This can cause sudden
tire failure, which may result in loss of vehicle control and lead to
serious personal injury or death.
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280
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAFE TIRE INFLATION
•If you must inflate your tires when they are hot, add 4 pounds per
square inch (4 psi) (28 kPa) above the recommended inflation pressure
specification. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tires are cold
and adjust to the recommended inflation pressure shown on the
vehicle’s Tire Information Placard.
•Never release air or nitrogen from a hot tire in order to reach the
recommended cold tire pressure. Normal driving causes tires to run
hotter and inflation pressure to increase. If you release pressure when
your tires are hot, you may dangerously underinflate your tires. If your
tires lose more than 1 pound per square inch (1 psi) per month, the tire,
the valve, or the wheel may be damaged. Consult your authorized
Nitto dealer for an inspection.
•Over-inflation can cause the tire to be more susceptible to impact
damage.
•Over-inflation or underinflation may adversely affect vehicle
handling.
•Remember to check your spare tire. Consult your vehicle Owner ’s
Manual for the correct inflation pressure and use of a “temporary use”
spare tire. The inflation pressure specified for a spare tire is typically
different from that specified for your regular tires.
•Use valve caps to keep valve cores clean and clear of debris and to help
guard against air leakage.
WARNING!
Never inflate a tire unless it is secured to the vehicle or a tire
mounting machine. Inflating an unsecured tire is dangerous. If the
tire bursts, it could be propelled into the air with explosive force
and cause serious personal injury or death.
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282
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEMS (TPMS)
Even if your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system, you should check your tire pres-
sure at least once per month when the tires are cold
(for example, after being parked overnight). Tire pres-
sure warning systems are not a substitute for regular
tire pressure maintenance.
WARNING!
If your vehicle is equipped with TPMS, read the vehicle Owner ’s
Manual regarding its operation. Some TPMS systems do not alert you
until the tires are significantly underinflated, which could result in
permanent tire damage and possible sudden tire failure. In the event
that your TPMS malfunction indicator lamp is displayed, you should
immediately pull over to a safe parking area and check your tires.
IDENTIFYING DAMAGED TIRES
•If your tire strikes a road hazard at any speed, internal tire damage
could result, which may lead to sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle
control. Tire failure may even occur miles after the initial impact.
Impact damage from such hazards may not be visible on the outside of
the tire. Have your Nitto dealer dismount the tire and inspect it for
damage. A tire may not have visible signs of damage on the tire surface
or the interior.
•If the impact was sufficient to bend the wheel flange, internal tire
damage may have occurred, compromising the safety and integrity of
the tire. Such impact damage may result in a sudden tire failure many
weeks or months later. Tire replacement is highly recommended as a
safety precaution.
•Indications of impact damage include, but are not limited to, a bubble
or a blister on the outside of the tire.
•Have your dealer inspect your tires if you see anything unusual or if
cuts, cracks, splitting, or bruises in the tread and sidewall areas are
visible. Bumps or bulges may indicate a serious and dangerous
separation within the tire body. Have your tire inspected by a qualified
tire service person. It may be necessary to have the tire removed from
the wheel for a complete inspection.
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283
•Inspect your tires for adequate tread depth. When the tire is worn to
the built-in indicators at 2/32” (1.6 mm) or less tread groove depth, the
tire is worn out and must be replaced. Never drive on tires to the point
that the tire cord or the fabric is exposed.
•Inspect your tires for uneven wear. Wear on one side of the tread or flat
spots in the tread may indicate alignment or other problems with the
tires or the vehicle. Consult your authorized Nitto dealer.
WARNING!
Never drive on a tire if there is any evidence of damage. Driving on
a damaged tire is dangerous. A damaged tire could suddenly fail,
which may result in loss of vehicle control and lead to serious
personal injury or death. Do not attempt to dismount, mount, or
repair a tire yourself. See your Nitto dealer immediately if you
detect damage.
IDENTIFYING DAMAGED WHEELS
Periodically check to see if any of the following symptoms exist, in which
case the wheel must be replaced:
•If the flange is bent.
•If welds or rivets are leaking.
•If the stud holes are elongated and not round. (Improper lug nut
tightening could cause this.)
•If there are cracks in the wheel.
WORN OUT TIRES
Tires must be replaced when tread is worn to 2/32” (1.6 mm). Treadwear
indicators on Nitto tire treads show the 2/32” depth (1.6 mm). Most
states require that tires be replaced when the tread depth is worn to 2/32”
(1.6 mm). Tires may lose sufficient wet and snow traction before reaching
2/32” (1.6 mm) of wear. Many wet weather accidents result from
skidding on worn out tires.
Excessively worn tires are more susceptible to penetrations. Consider
replacing your tires earlier if you drive in snow or wet conditions.
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284
WARNING!
Continued operation of your vehicle with excessively worn tires
may lead to loss of vehicle control in adverse weather conditions,
tire failure, and serious personal injury or death.
Any retail tire dealer will be glad to measure your tire’s tread depth for
you. Nitto recommends that tires be replaced in matched sets of four.
TIRE REPAIRS
If any tire has sustained a puncture, have the tire dismounted and
inspected internally by an authorized Nitto dealer for possible damage
that may have occurred. Only specially trained personnel using the
proper tools and procedures should repair tires.
WARNING!
Before having your tire repaired, tell your authorized Nitto dealer if
you have used an aerosol puncture sealant to inflate/seal the tire.
Aerosol puncture sealants could contain a highly flammable,
explosive gas.
Driving on an improperly repaired tire is dangerous. An improper
repair can cause further damage to the tire. It could fail suddenly,
which can result in loss of vehicle control and lead to serious
personal injury or death. To insure safety, go to your authorized
Nitto dealer for professional inspection and proper tire repairs.
Cosmetic Tire Alterations Can Be Dangerous! Remember — Do not
perform or allow anyone to perform any alterations to your tires.
Alterations may prevent proper performance, leading to tire
damage, which could result in sudden tire failure and loss of vehicle
control and lead to serious personal injury or death.
•Never repair a tire with 2/32” (1.6 mm) or less tread remaining. At this
tread depth, the tire is worn out and must be replaced.
•Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than ¼” (6.4 mm) in
diameter. Such tires cannot be properly repaired and must be replaced.
•Repairs of all tires (radial and non-radial) must be of the plug and
inside patch type. Using plugs alone on any type of tire is not a safe
repair.
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