•The repair will be the first repair performed on that tire. (Only one
repair per tire is permitted in order to maintain a limited speed rating.)
•The tire must have more than 2/32” (1.6 mm) of tread remaining.
Nitto speed-rated passenger tires that have been properly repaired
qualify for reduced speed ratings as follows:
ORIGINAL SPEED RATING AFTER PUNCTURE REPAIR
(Y), Y, W, Z, V, VR, H H (maximum speed 130 mph)
TT
SS
The maximum speed of a vehicle is limited by the lowest-speed- rated
tire on the car.
mNOTICE!
A tire’s speed rating is void if the tire has been retreaded, damaged, abused, or
otherwise altered from its original condition. Thereafter, it should be treated
as a non-speed-rated tire. In addition, retreaded passenger and light truck
tires are not warranted by Nitto for any reason. Nitto speed ratings are
voided for retreaded tires.
PROPER SELECTION OF TIRES
When tires need to be replaced, don’t guess what tire is right for your
vehicle. First look at the vehicle Owner ’s Manual or the Tire Information
Placard. They tell you the size of the tires that were on the vehicle as
original equipment.
Replacement tires for any vehicle must be of a size, load range, and load
capacity (by inflation) that is capable of supporting the same load as the
vehicle’s originally installed (OE) tires. Avoid installing used tires on a
vehicle. There is no way to determine what road hazards or abuse a
previously owned tire may have incurred.
WARNING!
Failure to install tires with adequate load capacity will result in tire
fatigue and sudden tire failure. This could lead to loss of vehicle
control, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
(Continued)
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WARNING!(Continued)
Certain vehicle performance parameters, including ride comfort and
handling, may be affected by substitute tire sizes. In some cases,
particularly for SUVs and light trucks, a failure to follow the vehicle
manufacturer ’s recommendations for tire replacement could
adversely affect the safe handling of the vehicle, possibly resulting
in a loss of vehicle control leading to personal injury or death.
The following procedures concerning replacement tires must be fol-
lowed:
•Confirm that the load-carrying capacity is greater than or equal to the
load-carrying capacity of the OE tire size at the pressure indicated on
the vehicle Tire Information Placard.
•Carefully note any differences between recommendations for front and
rear axle positions regarding the tire size and/ or inflation pressure.
•The speed rating must be equal to or greater than what is specified by
the vehicle manufacturer if the speed capability of the vehicle is to be
maintained.
•Tires should be mounted on approved wheel widths. If changing tire
sizes, check to make sure the wheel has adequate load and inflation
pressure capacity.
•Body and chassis clearance must be checked on the vehicle’s front and
rear axles.
In addition to the above, light truck tire replacements should take into
consideration the following:
•Proper spacing between dual tires is necessary for optimum tire
performance. If chains are used, particular care must be taken to assure
adequate clearance between loaded tires to avoid damage from the
chains. The allowable outside diameter difference between a tire and
its dual mate is ¼” (6.4 mm) for light truck tires.
CONSIDERATIONS IN PLUS SIZING
Always refer to and follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s replacement tire
recommendations. In some cases, a vehicle manufacturer may specifically
advise against the application of replacement tires that are not of the
original size or type.
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TIRE AND WHEEL MATCHING AND MOUNTING
WARNING!
Any attempt to mount a tire on a wheel with a different diameter
will result in an explosion of the tire/wheel assembly that could
cause severe personal injury or death.
Prior to mounting any tire, always check the wheel identification
stamp to verify the correct wheel diameter. Always check the tire
size molded onto the sidewall.
Never exceed 40 psi when seating the tire beads onto the wheel.
Always stand well clear of any tire mounting operation. This is
especially important when the service operator inflates the tire. If
the tire has been improperly mounted, it could burst with explosive
force causing serious personal injury or death.
A new valve stem must be installed on the wheel each time a
worn-out passenger or light truck tire is replaced.
Removing and replacing tires on wheels can be dangerous.
Attempting to mount tires with improper tools or procedures could
result in a tire explosion, causing serious personal injury or death.
This is a job for your authorized Nitto dealer or other qualified tire
service location only.
Serious personal injury or death can result from:
•Failure to select the proper tire and wheel. The tire must match the
width and diameter requirements of the wheel. When mounting
truck type radial tires use only wheels approved for radial tires.
•Failure to inspect both the tire and wheel. The wheel must be free
of cracks, dents, chips, and rust. The tire must be free of bead
damage, cuts, and punctures.
•Failure to follow proper procedures. For proper mounting proce-
dures, consult the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s publication
“Care and Service of Automobile and Light Truck Tires” (ref.:
www.rma.org).
•Exceeding the maximum bead seating pressure of 40 psi. Be
absolutely certain beads are fully seated before adjusting the
inflation pressure to the level recommended for vehicle operation.
Never put flammable substances in the tire/wheel assemblies at any
time. Never put any flammable substance into a tire/wheel assembly
and attempt to ignite it in order to seat the beads.
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TIRE MIXING
WARNING!
Driving your vehicle with an improper mix of tire sizes,
constructions, and speed ratings can be dangerous. Your car ’s
handling characteristics can be adversely affected. You could have
an accident resulting in serious personal injury or death. Consult
your vehicle Owner ’s Manual or an authorized Nitto dealer for
proper tire replacement.
•Nitto recommends that all four tires be of the same size, speed rating,
and construction (radial or non-radial). In some cases the vehicle
manufacturer may require different sized tires for the front or rear
axles. Never mix P-metric or European Metric passenger tires with
LT-metric tires on the same vehicle.
•Match tire size designations in pairs on an axle, except during the
temporary use of a spare tire.
•If two radial tires and two non-radial tires are used on a vehicle, put
the radials on the rear axle. If radial and non-radial tires are used on a
vehicle equipped with dual rear tires, the radial tires may be used on
either axle.
SPEED-RATED TIRES
•If the vehicle Tire Information Placard and/or the vehicle Owner ’s
Manual specifies speed-rated tires, the replacement tires must have the
same or higher speed rating to maintain vehicle speed capability.
•If a replacement tire has a lower speed capability than that specified by
the vehicle manufacturer, the vehicle’s speed must be restricted to that
of the replacement tire. Vehicle handling could also be affected.
Consult the vehicle Owner ’s Manual or tire manufacturer for
recommendations.
•If tires with different speed ratings are used, it is recommended that
the lower-speed-rated tires always be placed on the front axle. This is
to prevent a potential oversteer condition.
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291
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) AND ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)
VEHICLES
If no instructions for tire mixing appear in the vehicle Owner ’s Manual,
follow these guidelines:
•Do not mix tire sizes. All four tires must be marked with the same tire
size, unless otherwise specified by the vehicle manufacturer. This also
applies to winter/snow tires.
•Do not mix tread pattern types such as all-terrain and all- season.
STUDLESS WINTER/SNOW TIRES
•It is always preferable to apply winter/snow tires to all wheel
positions, including dual tires, to maintain vehicle mobility and
control.
•If winter/snow tires are applied to the front axle of any vehicle,
winter/snow tires must also be installed on the rear axle. DO NOT
apply winter/snow tires only to the front axle. This applies to all
passenger and light truck vehicles, including front-wheel- drive, 4WD,
and AWD vehicles.
•If winter/snow tires are installed on the rear axle of any vehicle, it is
recommended (but not required) that they also be installed on the front
axle.
WARNING!
Unless winter/snow tires on the rear axle have comparable traction
qualities to the tires on the front axle, the vehicle may experience
adverse handling characteristics. This may result in loss of vehicle
control, which can lead to serious personal injury or death.
STUDDED WINTER/SNOW TIRES
•Studded winter/snow tires have higher traction qualities under most
winter weather conditions.
•If studded winter/snow tires are installed on the front axle of any
vehicle, studded winter/snow tires must also be installed on the rear
axle. DO NOT apply studded winter/snow tires only to the front axle.
•If studded winter/snow tires are installed on the rear axle of any
vehicle, it is strongly recommended that they should also be installed
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on the front axle. Only if studded winter/snow tires are installed on all
wheel positions of a vehicle will optimum handling characteristics be
achieved.
WARNING!
Installing only two studded winter/snow tires on the front axle of
any vehicle (including front-wheel-drive vehicles) without studded
winter/snow tires on the rear axle can cause adverse vehicle
handling characteristics. This can result in a loss of vehicle control,
which could cause serious personal injury or death.
mNOTICE!
In some cases, the vehicle manufacturer may specifically advise against
replacing fewer than all four tires. Always check and follow the
recommendations in the vehicle Owner’s Manual. For 4WD and AWD
vehicles, even small differences in outside diameter may cause drivetrain
damage or mechanical malfunction.
REPLACING TWO TIRES
•When a pair of replacement tires is selected in the same size and
construction as those on the vehicle, the two newer tires must be
installed on the rear axle and must be of equal or higher speed rating
than the front tires. Generally, new tires with deeper tread will provide
better grip and evacuate water more effectively, which is important as
a driver approaches hydroplaning situations. Placing greater traction
on the rear axle on wet surfaces is necessary to prevent a possible
oversteer condition and loss of vehicle stability.
•When two new tires have been installed onto the rear axle positions,
they are to be kept on the rear but rotated from side to side. This is
recommended after installing two new tires to the rear position, or if
you discover significant tread depth differences between the front and
rear positions during rotation intervals.
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TIRE WEAR – VISUAL CHECK
WARNING!
Beware of Sudden Tire Vibration. A tire failure may lead to loss of
vehicle control, which could cause serious personal injury or death.
Many tire failures are preceded by vibration, bumps, bulges, or
irregular wear. If while driving your vehicle you experience any
unusual vibration, pull, ride disturbance, or noise and/or you
suspect possible vehicle or tire damage, do not continue to drive.
(Continued)
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WARNING!(Continued)
Pull over to a safe area as soon as possible and inspect the tires for
signs of bulges, blisters, or separations. Seek roadside assistance or
change the damaged tire with your spare tire.
If you experience a blowout or a sudden tire failure, the following
information should be helpful:
•When the tire failure occurs, you may hear a loud noise, or feel a
vibration, and/or the vehicle may pull toward the side of the failed
tire. Do not abruptly brake or turn.
•Maintain steady pressure on the accelerator pedal.
•Hold the steering wheel firmly and steer to maintain your lane
position.
•Find a safe place to pull off the road and allow the vehicle to gradually
decelerate. Apply light braking as required to stop safely.
•Gradually pull over to the shoulder and come to a stop. Look for a
damaged tire on your vehicle.
•Seek roadside assistance or change the damaged tire with your spare
tire.
•Have all of your tires and the vehicle thoroughly inspected by a tire
professional.
TIRE ROTATION
The purpose for rotating tires is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires
on a vehicle. Your tires should be thoroughly examined on a lift by a tire
dealer for any abnormalities. If tires show uneven treadwear, ask the
service person to check and/or correct any vehicle wheel alignment or
other mechanical problem before rotation.
The following rotation patterns are acceptable. Please refer to your
vehicle Owner ’s Manual for rotation advice.
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