TIRES
Tire Safety Information
Tire safety information will cover aspects of the following information:
Tire Markings, Tire Identification Numbers, Tire Terminology and Defi-
nitions, Tire Pressures, and Tire Loading.
Tire Markings
NOTE:
•P (Passenger) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards.
P-Metric tires have the letter “P” molded into the sidewall preceding
the size designation. Example: P215/65R15 95H.
•European — Metric tire sizing is based on European design standards.
Tires designed to this standard have the tire size molded into the
sidewall beginning with the section width. The letterPis absent from
this tire size designation. Example: 215/65R15 96H.
Tire Markings
1 — U.S. DOT Safety Standards
Code (TIN)4 — Maximum Load
2 — Size Designation 5 — Maximum Pressure
3 — Service Description 6 — Treadwear, Traction and
Temperature Grades
TIRES
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•LT (Light Truck) — Metric tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards.
The size designation for LT-Metric tires is the same as for P-Metric tires
except for the letters “LT” that are molded into the sidewall preceding
the size designation. Example: LT235/85R16.
•Temporary spare tires are designed for temporary emergency use only.
Temporary high pressure compact spare tires have the letter “T” or “S”
molded into the sidewall preceding the size designation. Example:
T145/80D18 103M.
•High flotation tire sizing is based on U.S. design standards and it
begins with the tire diameter molded into the sidewall. Example:
31x10.5 R15 LT.
Tire Sizing Chart
EXAMPLE:
Example Size Designation: P215/65R15XL 95H, 215/65R15 96H, LT235/85R16C,
T145/80D18 103M, 31x10.5 R15 LT
P= Passenger car tire size based on U.S. design standards, or
....blank....= Passenger car tire based on European design standards, or
LT= Light truck tire based on U.S. design standards, or
TorS= Temporary spare tire or
31= Overall diameter in inches (in)
215, 235, 145= Section width in millimeters (mm)
65, 85, 80= Aspect ratio in percent (%)
– Ratio of section height to section width of tire, or
10.5= Section width in inches (in)
R= Construction code
–"R"means radial construction, or
–"D"means diagonal or bias construction
15, 16, 18= Rim diameter in inches (in)
Service Description:
95= Load Index
– A numerical code associated with the maximum load a tire can carry
H= Speed Symbol
– A symbol indicating the range of speeds at which a tire can carry a load
corresponding to its load index under certain operating conditions
– The maximum speed corresponding to the speed symbol should only be
achieved under specified operating conditions (i.e., tire pressure, vehicle
loading, road conditions, and posted speed limits)TIRES
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RFT (Run-Flat Technology) Tires:In addition to the above, there are
recommendations specific to the repair of RFT tires; see “RFT Tires with
Run-Flat Technology” in this manual.
TIRE MOUNTING AND OTHER SERVICING
WARNING!
Removing and replacing tires on wheels can be dangerous.
Attempting to mount tires with improper tools or procedures may
result in a tire explosion causing serious personal injury or death.
This is only a job for a qualified tire service professional. Never
perform tire service procedures without proper training, tools, and
equipment.
This manual is not intended to provide proper training or service
procedures for tire mounting, demounting, balancing, rotation, or
repair. Please leave these tasks to qualified tire service professionals.
For your safety and that of others:
•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 may burst with explosive force
causing serious personal injury or death.
•Tires must match the width and diameter requirements of the wheels.
For example, 16 inch diameter tires must only be mounted to 16 inch
diameter wheels. Radial tires must only be mounted to wheels
approved for radial tires.
•Wheels must be free of cracks, dents, chips, and rust. Tires must be free
of bead damage, cuts, and punctures.
•Never inflate a tire beyond 40 psi (275 kPa) to seat the beads. Be
absolutely certain beads are fully seated before adjusting inflation
pressure to the level recommended for vehicle operation.
•Never put flammable substances in tire/wheel assemblies at any time.
Never put any flammable substance into a tire/wheel assembly and
attempt to ignite to seat the beads.
•Always stand well away from the work area when tires are being spin
balanced either on or off the vehicle.
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pressures when the tires are cold (when the vehicle has been driven less
than one mile). If you must check inflation when the tires are hot, add
4 psi (27 kPa) to the recommended cold inflation pressure. It is difficult
to tell just by looking at radial tires whether they are underinflated.*
Furthermore, when operating a vehicle equipped with radial tires, it is
difficult to notice when a tire has gone flat or nearly flat since the “feel”
of the vehicle does not change significantly.
*Evidence of air loss or repeated underinflation always requires expert
inspection to determine the source of leakage and tire removal to
determine repairability.To avoid injury, NEVER attempt to reinflate a
tire that has been run severely underinflated. Progressive air loss may
result from punctures, cuts, curbing, impacts or partial bead unseating.
Some fitment causes for air loss are (1) incomplete bead seating, (2) bead
tearing caused by a machine tool due to insufficient lubrication or
improper adjustment. Leaking valve core or rubber valve components
should be replaced when problems are detected and whenever tires are
replaced.
Always maintain inflation pressure at the level recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer as shown on the vehicle placard, vehicle certifi-
cation label or in the vehicle owner ’s manual:
Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure and may result in
severe cracking, component separation or “blowout.” It reduces tire load
capacity, allows excessive sidewall flexing and increases rolling resis-
tance, resulting in heat and mechanical damage. Maintaining proper
inflation pressure is the single most important thing you can do to
promote tire durability and maximize tread life.
Over inflation increases stiffness, which may deteriorate ride and gener-
ate unwanted vibration. Over inflation also increases the chances of
impact damage.
DON’T OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE
Check your vehicle owner ’s manual to determine the load limits.
Overloading your vehicle places stress on your tires and other critical
vehicle components. Overloading a vehicle can cause poor handling or
increased fuel consumption and may cause tire failure. Overloading your
tires can result in severe cracking, component separation or “blowout.”
Never fit your vehicle with new tires that have less load capacity than
shown on the vehicle tire placard and remember that optimum rim width
GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES
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NOTE:Goodyear manufactured and/or marketed European- Metric
passenger tires and P-Metric passenger tires are interchangeable as long
as they have the same section width, same aspect ratio, same rim
diameter.
CAUTION!
Never substitute a “Standard Load” (SL) tire for an Extra Load (XL)
or Reinforced tire. If the vehicle was originally equipped with
“Extra Load” (XL) or Reinforced tires, replace those tires with
similar-sized Extra Load (XL) or Reinforced tires.
FOLLOW THESE ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
When installing only two tires, fit the tires with the deepest tread depth
on the rear axle. If radials and non-radials must be fitted to the same
vehicle, fit radials on rear axle. Never mix radials and non-radials on the
same axle. When fitting winter tires or all-season tires to performance
vehicles, always fit in sets of four. It is not recommended to fit tires with
different speed ratings. If tires with different speed ratings are installed
on a vehicle, they should be installed with like pairs on the same axle.
The speed capability of the vehicle will become limited to that of the
lowest speed rated tires.
Use of lift kits with some vehicle/tire combinations can cause instability.
When changing tire sizes, always consult Dealer for optimum rim width
and carefully check vehicle/tire clearances.
RETREADED TIRES
Retreaded passenger and light truck tires are not warranted by Goodyear
for any reason. Speed ratings and U.S. Department of Transportation test
compliance certifications are voided for retreaded tires.
DO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SUSPENSION, WHEEL ALIGNMENT
AND BALANCE AND ROTATE YOUR TIRES
Lack of rotation, worn suspension parts, underinflation/ overinflation,
wheel imbalance and misalignment can cause vibration or irregular tire
wear. Rotate your tires according to your vehicle manufacturer ’s recom-
mendations or at maximum intervals of 6,000 miles / 10,000 km.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE “BE TIRE SMART/
PLAY YOUR PART BROCHURE” PUBLISHED BY THE RUBBER
GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES
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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.
•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
loadcarrying 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 1/4” (6.4 mm) for light truck tires.
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
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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.
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 Toyo Tires 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).
(Continued)
TOYO TIRES – LIMITED WARRANTY
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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.
NITTO TIRE
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