2018 DODGE DURANGO SRT spare wheel

can explode during mounting. Also, mismatched tires and rims can result
in dangerous tire failure on the road. If a tire is mounted by error on the
wrong-sized rim, do not remount it on the proper rim - scrap it. It may
have been damaged internally (which is not externally visible) by having
been 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 only be
mounted on wheels designed for tubeless tires i.e., wheels which have
safety humps or ledges.
It is recommended that you have your tires and wheels balanced. Tires
and wheels which are not balanced may cause steering difficulties, a
bumpy ride, and irregular tire wear.
Be sure that all your valves have suitable valve caps. The valve cap is
the primary seal against air loss.
SERVICE LIFE FOR PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK
TIRES INCLUDING SPARE TIRES
The following recommendation applies to passenger car and light truck
tires. Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber
compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper
functioning of the tire itself. These component properties evolve over
time. For each tire, this evolution depends upon many factors such as
weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation
pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its
life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately
predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not
possible.
That it is why, in addition to regular inspections and inflation pressure
maintenance by consumers, it is recommended to have passenger car and
light truck tires, including spare tires, inspected regularly by a qualified
tire specialist, such as a tire dealer, who will assess the tire’s suitability for
continued service. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more
should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually.
Consumers are strongly encouraged to be aware not only of their tires’
visual condition and inflation pressure but also of any change in dynamic
performance such as increased air loss, noise or vibration, which could be
an indication that the tires need to be removed from service to prevent
tire failure.
BFGOODRICH TIRES
42

It is impossible to predict when tires should be replaced based on their
calendar age alone. However the older a tire the greater the chance that it
will need to be replaced due to the service-related evolution or other
conditions found upon inspection or detected during use.
While most tires will need replacement before they achieve 10 years, it is
recommended that any tires in service 10 years or more from the date of
manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a simple
precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not
reached the legal wear limit.
For tires that were on an original equipment vehicle (i.e., acquired by the
consumer on a new vehicle), follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s tire replace-
ment recommendations, when specified (but not to exceed 10 years).
The date when a tire was manufactured is located on the sidewall of each
tire. Consumers should locate the Department of Transportation or DOT
code on the tire which begins with DOT and ends with the week and year
of manufacture. For example, a DOT code ending with2204indicates a
tire made in the 22nd week (May) of 2004.
REMEMBER... TO AVOID DAMAGE TO YOUR TIRES AND
POSSIBLE ACCIDENT:
•CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH WHEN
TIRES ARE COLD AND BEFORE LONG TRIPS;
•DO NOT UNDERINFLATE/OVERINFLATE;
•DO NOT OVERLOAD;
•DRIVE AT MODERATE SPEEDS, OBSERVE LEGAL LIMITS;
•AVOID DRIVING OVER POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, CURBS OR
EDGES OF PAVEMENT;
•AVOID EXCESSIVE WHEEL SPINNING;
•IF YOU SEE ANY DAMAGE TO A TIRE, REPLACE WITH THE
SPARE AND VISIT ANY BFGOODRICH® RETAILER AT ONCE;
•IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. CONTACT YOUR BFGOODRICH®
RETAILER.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE ANY OF THE RECOMMENDED PRECAU-
TIONS CONTAINED IN THIS OWNER’S MANUAL CAN LEAD TO
ERRATIC VEHICLE BEHAVIOR AND/OR TIRE DAMAGE, POSSI-
BLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
BFGOODRICH TIRES
43

TIPS FOR SAFE TIRE INFLATION
WARNING!
Inflating an unsecured tire is dangerous. If it bursts, it could be
hurled into the air with explosive force resulting in serious personal
injury or death. Never inflate a tire unless it is secured to the vehicle
or a tire mounting machine.
•Check your tire pressures, including your spare tire, monthly and
before long trips or carrying extra weight. Be sure to use an accurate
pressure gauge.
•Check inflation pressure when the tires are “cold.” Tires are considered
“cold” when the vehicle has been parked for three hours or more, or if
the vehicle has been driven less than a mile at moderate speed.
•Never release pressure from a hot tire in order to reach the recom-
mended cold tire pressure. Normal driving causes tires to run hotter
and inflation pressure to increase. If you reduce inflation pressure
when your tires are hot, you may dangerously underinflate your tires.
•If it is necessary to adjust inflation pressure when your tires are “hot,”
set their pressure to 4 psi (28 kPa) above the recommended cold
inflation pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tires are
cold.
•If your tires lose more than 2 psi (14 kPa) per month, the tire, the valve,
or wheel may be damaged. Consult a qualified tire service professional
for an inspection.
•Use valve caps to keep the valves clear of debris and to help guard
against inflation pressure loss.
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maintenance intervals, oil changes, and tire rotations. In particular, note
the following tips for spotting tire damage:
•After striking anything unusual in the roadway, have a qualified tire
service professional demount the tire and inspect it for damage. A tire
may not have visible signs of damage on the tire surface. Yet, the tire
may suddenly fail without warning, a day, a week, or even months
later.
•Inspect your tires for cuts, cracks, splits or bruises in the tread and
sidewall areas. Bumps or bulges may indicate a separation within the
tire body. Have your tire inspected by a qualified tire service profes-
sional. It may be necessary to have it removed from the wheel for a
complete inspection.
•Inspect your tires for adequate tread depth. When the tire is worn to
the built-in indicators at 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) or less tread groove depth,
or the tire cord or fabric is exposed, the tire is dangerously worn and
must be replaced immediately.
•Inspect your tires for uneven wear. Wear on one side of the tread or flat
spots in the tread may indicate a problem with the tire or vehicle.
Consult a qualified tire service professional.
•Inspect your wheels also. If you have a bent or cracked wheel, it must
be replaced.
•Don’t forget to check the spare tire.
Make sure your tires, including the spare tire, continue to be regularly
inspected after 5 years of service to determine if they can continue in
service. Even when your tires appear to be usable from their external
appearance or the tread depth may have not reached the minimum wear
out depth, it is recommended that all tires (including spare tires and
“temporary use” spares) more than 10 years old be replaced with new
tires.
The 10 year period after the date of production is not an indicator of
actual service life for any individual tire. Some tires will need to be
replaced before 10 years due to conditions such as punctures, impact
damage, improper inflation, overloading, tread wear or other conditions
involving use or misuse of the tire. If a tire is worn out or otherwise
unserviceable from damage or conditions of use, it should be replaced
regardless of when it was produced or placed in service.
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If your spare is the same size, load rating, and type of tire as your road
tires, it should be included in the tire rotation process. For vehicles with
a “full-size” spare, the following rotation patterns may be used:
NOTE:
•Never include a “temporary use” spare tire in the rotation.
•Tires with directional tread patterns must be rotated so the direction of
revolution does not change; this may require demounting/mounting
the tires.
•Special attention should be given if your vehicle is equipped with a
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Rotation of your tires may
affect the system; consult your vehicle owner ’s manual or a qualified
tire service professional.
•Some vehicles may have different size tires/wheels on front and rear
which would restrict rotation. Always check and follow the vehicle
manufacturer ’s rotation recommendation.
•To use a full-size spare in the rotation pattern on vehicles with dual
rear wheels, consult your vehicle owner ’s manual for the recom-
mended procedures or consult the vehicle manufacturer.
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69

YOUR SPARE TIRE
Consult your vehicle owner ’s manual for proper application of your
spare tire. Your car may be equipped with a “temporary use” spare tire;
this spare may differ in size and construction from the other tires on your
vehicle.
WARNING!
Check inflation pressure before use. Failure to have proper inflation
pressure when using your spare tire can result in serious personal
injury or death. See Tire Inflation Pressure in this manual.
WARNING!
Mounting a “temporary use” tire on a wheel which is not
specifically designed for it, or placing another type tire on a wheel
designated for temporary use can be dangerous. Your vehicle’s
handling characteristics can be seriously affected. You could have an
accident resulting in serious personal injury or death. Consult your
vehicle owner ’s manual for proper application of your “temporary
use” spare tire.
The spare tire in your vehicle is intended to be used as a spare when
needed. The spare tire carrier is not intended to be used for long term
storage, except for “temporary use” tires. If your spare is the same size,
load rating, and type of tire as your road tires, it should be included in the
tire rotation process; see “Radial Tire Rotation” in this manual for more
information.
The spare should be included in regular tire inspections and inflation
pressure checks. In addition, it should be replaced 10 years after date of
manufacture, regardless of condition or tread depth. For more informa-
tion, see the “Tire Damage, Inspection and Service Life” in this manual.
TIRE STORAGE
Tires should be stored indoors in a cool, dry place where water cannot
collect inside them. Tires should be placed away from electric
generators/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.
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RFT TIRES WITH RUN-FLAT TECHNOLOGY
If your vehicle is equipped with
Bridgestone or Firestone brand RFT
tires, this chapter presents specific
maintenance and safety issues asso-
ciated with these tires that are in addition to those covered elsewhere in
this manual.
What is RFT? Run-Flat Technology tires are extraordinary tires that
utilize specially designed components to temporarily support your
vehicle in the event of inflation pressure loss, such as from a puncture.
This gives you the ability to drive to a convenient and safe location to
change your tire (if equipped with a spare) or have it inspected for
possible repair or replacement.
Naturally, certain run-flat and low pressure operating limitations apply,
which varies according to the specific self-supporting tire design. Like all
tires, during normal operation, they must be properly inflated and
maintained. Regardless of the design or quality, no tire is indestructible.
RFT—How to Identify:Bridgestone and Firestone brand tires are
marked on the sidewalls, near the wheel, with the RFT logo (shown
above).
RFT INFLATION PRESSURE
Like other tires, RFT tires need proper inflation pressure maintenance for
safe operation and to achieve the maximum tire life and performance.
Check inflation pressures monthly and before long trips or carrying extra
weight. Use an accurate tire gauge and check pressures when the tires are
cold. Follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s recommendation for inflation
pressure settings as indicated on the vehicle tire information placard
and/or in the vehicle owner ’s manual. Do not forget the spare, if
applicable. See “Tire Inflation Pressure” in this manual.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)
A functioning tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) must be used with
your RFT tires. Because these tires ride so well even without inflation
pressure, the TPMS may be necessary to alert you of an inflation pressure
loss condition. When alerted, follow the instructions in your vehicle
owner ’s manual and see “Run-Flat or Low Tire Pressure Operation,” the
following section in this manual.
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ROTATION AND WEAR
Falken recommends rotating your tires at least every 8,000 km (5,000
miles) and periodically inspecting your tires to make sure they are free of
road hazards (such as nails, screws, large wood splinters, etc.) that might
penetrate your tires causing them to lose air pressure and to ensure they
are wearing evenly. Common irregular wear patterns are: misalignment
wear, where the tire shows excessive outer or inner tread wear. Tire
sidewalls should also be inspected for cuts, snags, bruises, and weather
cracking. If any of these noted conditions are present during inspection,
we recommend returning to your servicing tire dealer to be corrected to
ensure long tire life.***Never include a temporary spare tire in your
rotation pattern***
TIRE REPLACEMENT
Falken recommends replacing your tires when the tread wears down to
the wear bars at 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch), which are located across the
tread in several locations around the tire. If only two tires are being
replaced, the two new tires should always be installed on the rear of the
vehicle to aid in preventing your vehicle from hydroplaning, even if your
car is front wheel drive. It’s always recommended to have your new tires
balanced during installation, and alignment checked if the previous tires
show and irregular wear. Tires that have been in use for 5 (five) years or
more should continue to be inspected by a qualified tire specialist, at least
annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 (ten) years old or older from
the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires
as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have
not reached the legal worn out limit at 1.6 mm (2/32 of an inch).
FALKEN TIRE CORPORATION
98