For all types of tires, consult your vehicle tire placard or owner ’s manual
for recommended operating pressures. If the tires are purchased as
replacement tires, operating instructions for the low pressure warning
system will be provided by the manufacturer of that system. Recom-
mended operating pressures will be provided by a participating Michelin
tire retailer for self supporting ZP tires. Recommended operating pres-
sure for PAX System Tires will be provided by a PAX System retailer.
These inflation pressures must be maintained as a minimum. However,
do not exceed the maximum pressure rating indicated on the tire
sidewall.
CHECK THE COLD INFLATION PRESSURES IN ALL YOUR TIRES,
INCLUDING THE SPARE, AT LEAST ONCE EACH MONTH
Failure to maintain correct inflation may result in improper vehicle
handling and may cause rapid and irregular tire wear, sudden tire
destruction, loss of vehicle control and serious personal injury. Therefore,
inflation pressures should be checked at least once each month and
always prior to long distance trips. This applies to all tires, including
sealant types, and Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP) tires which are as
susceptible to losing air pressure as any other type of tire if not properly
maintained.
UNDERINFLATION
It is impossible to determine whether tires are properly inflated by
simply looking at them. It is almost impossible to “feel or hear” when a
tire is being run underinflated or nearly flat. Tires must be checked
monthly with a tire pressure gauge.
Pressures should be checked when tires are cold, in other words, before
they have been driven on. Driving, even for a short distance, causes tires
to heat up and air pressure to increase.
Checking pressure when tires are hot:
If pressures are checked after tires have been driven for more than three
minutes or more than one mile, (2 km) the tires become hot and the
pressures will increase by approximately 4 psi. Therefore when the tire
pressure is adjusted under these conditions, it should be increased to a
gauge reading of 4 psi greater than the recommended cold inflation
pressure.
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For Example Only:
Gauge reading of hot tire:......................................... 32 psi(220 kPa)
If recommended cold inflation pressure is:................. 30 psi(205 kPa)
Desired gauge reading of hot tire 30+4psi=...34 psi (205 + 30 = 235 kPa)
Therefore: add 2 psi...................................................................... (15 kPa)
Check cold pressure as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours.
“Bleeding” air from hot tires could result in underinflation. Use an
accurate tire gauge to check pressures. Never allow children to inflate
or deflate tires.
FOR MICHELIN® PAX® SYSTEM TIRES/SELF-SUPPORTING ZERO
PRESSURE (ZP) TIRES CHECK INFLATION PRESSURES AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING A LOW PRESSURE WARNING
The PAX® System requires a functioning, correctly calibrated on-board
vehicle tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) to monitor the air
pressure and alert the driver when a low pressure event occurs. Be
certain to ensure that your vehicle’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) is functioning and is correctly calibrated. Refer to your vehicle
owner ’s manual or your vehicle dealer.
Low pressure warning systems are designed to alert the driver to a low
air pressure situation in at least one tire on the vehicle. While your ZP
tires are designed to provide continued mobility in the event of an air
loss, the sooner you respond to a warning and take corrective action, the
greater the likelihood that the tire can be returned to service.
Always visually inspect your MICHELIN® PAX® System tire and
self-supporting tires and use a pressure gauge to check the air pressure
in all 4 tires following any low pressure warning. (Unless advised to do
otherwise by the manufacturer of your low pressure warning system.)
If the tire pressure is at or below 18 PSI, proceed to the nearest
Authorized PAX System Retailer for PAX tires or a participating Michelin
tire retailer for ZP tires (or a representative of your vehicle manufacturer
if advised to do so in your vehicle owner ’s manual) and have the tire
demounted and thoroughly inspected for possible internal damage.
If you are unable to see any damage to the tire, and the tire pressure is
more than 18 PSI, reinflate your tire to the proper air pressure. (See
instructions for checking pressures when tires are hot.) When tires
have cooled, check air pressure again. If any tire has lost more than
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5 PSI from the previous pressure check, have the tire inspected at once
by an authorized PAX System Retailer for PAX tires or a participating
Michelin tire retailer (or representative of your vehicle manufacturer if
your vehicle owner ’s manual so advises.) Failure to do so may cause
irreparable damage to the tire and result in sudden tire destruction and
personal injury.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS):
Your vehicle may be equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) that is designed to monitor the pressure of tires mounted on your
vehicle and sends a signal to the driver if a tire pressure falls below a
predetermined level. A TPMS should not replace monthly manual
pressure checks for all four (4) tires and the spare. We recommend that
you manually monitor and check tire pressure inflation with a pressure
gauge. Your tires should have the recommended pressure listed by your
vehicle’s manufacturer. This information can be found in the vehicle
owner ’s manual and often on a placard located in the vehicle’s door
jamb, inside the fuel hatch, or on the glove compartment door. If you
have a plus size fitment that requires a higher inflation pressure, your tire
pressure monitoring system will require re-calibration to new inflation
pressure. Refer to your tire dealer/installer of plus size tires for proper
inflation pressure.
We recommend checking air pressure once each month, and before a long
trip. Whether you have a full-sized or mini-spare, make sure that it is
properly inflated as well. If the TPMS generates improper monitoring or
signals we recommend that you consult your owner ’s manual provided
with your vehicle and follow-up with your vehicle’s manufacturer.
TIRE SPINNING
Do not spin wheels in excess of 35 mph (55 km/h) as indicated on the
speedometer. Excessive speed in a free-running, unloaded tire can cause
it to “explode” from centrifugal force. The energy released by such an
explosion is sufficient to cause serious physical injury or death. Never
allow anyone to stand near or behind the spinning tire.
When in mud, sand, snow, ice or other slippery conditions, do not engage
in excessive wheel spin. Accelerating the motor excessively, particularly
with automatic transmission vehicles, may cause a drive tire that has lost
traction to spin beyond its speed capability. This is also true when
balancing a drive tire/wheel assembly on the vehicle using the vehicle
engine to spin the tire/wheel assembly.
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HIGH SPEED DRIVING CAN BE DANGEROUS
Correct inflation pressure is especially important.However, at high
speeds, even with the correct inflation pressure, a road hazard, for
example is more difficult to avoid and if contact is made, has a greater
chance of causing tire damage than at a lower speed. Moreover, driving
at high speed reduces the reaction time available to avoid accidents and
bring your vehicle to a safe stop.If you see any damage to a tire or
wheel, replace it with the spare at once and visit a participating
Michelin Tire Retailer.
Exceeding the maximum speeds shown on the following page for each
type of MICHELIN® tire will cause the tire to build up excessive heat
which can cause tire damage that could result in sudden tire destruction
and rapid air loss. Failure to control a vehicle when one or more tires
experience a sudden air loss can lead to an accident.
In any case, you should not exceed reasonable speeds as indicated by
the legal limits and driving conditions.
SPEED RATINGS
Speed Symbols are shown on the sidewall of some MICHELIN® tires.
The following table shows the maximum speed corresponding to the
symbol.
*Some V (or VR) rated tires may have a speed capacity greater than
149 mph (240 km/h). Consult your participating Michelin® tire retailer
for maximum speed rating if your vehicle capability exceeds this speed.
**Z (or ZR) rated tires are designed to use on cars with maximum speed
capabilities in excess of 149 mph (240 km/h).
(W and Y speed ratings are subcategories of Z).
Consult your Michelin tire retailer for maximum speed capabilities. For
PAX® System Tires consult an authorized PAX System Tire Retailer.
Although a tire may be speed-rated, we do not endorse the operation of
any vehicle in an unsafe or unlawful manner. Speed ratings are based on
laboratory tests which relate to performance on the road, but are not
applicable if tires are underinflated, overloaded, worn out, damaged,
altered, improperly repaired or retreaded.
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Furthermore, a tire’s speed rating does not imply that vehicles can be
safely driven at the maximum speed for which the tire is rated,
particularly under adverse road and weather conditions or if the vehicle
has unusual characteristics.
Michelin® highway passenger tires that do not have a speed symbol on
the sidewall have a maximum speed rating of 105 mph (170 kph). Light
truck highway tires that do not have a speed symbol on the sidewall of
the tire have a maximum speed rating of 87 mph (140 kph).
MICHELIN® Winter tires that do not have a speed symbol on the
sidewall or tires with Q symbols have a speed rating of 100 mph
(160 km/h). Winter tires with a speed symbol have a maximum speed
rating in accordance with the symbol.
The speed and other ratings of retreaded tires are assigned by the
retreader and replace the original manufacturer ’s ratings.
IMPORTANT: In order to maintain the speed capability of the vehicle,
replacement tires must have speed ratings equal to or higher than those
fitted as original equipment (as indicated on the vehicle tire placard or
owner ’s manual). If tires with lower speed ratings are fitted, the vehicle’s
handling may be affected and the speed capability of the vehicle will be
lowered to the maximum speed capability of the replacement tires as
indicated in the following table.
REMEMBER...High speed driving can be dangerous and may damage
your tires.
AND...When driving at highway speeds, correct inflation pressure is
especially important.
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IMPACT DAMAGE
A tire impacted by a road hazard (curb, pothole, debris) may be damaged
but not have visible signs of damage on its surface. A tire damaged by an
impact may sustain a sudden failure a day, week, or even months later.
You may not recall hitting an object that damaged or injured your tires.
Air loss, unusual tire wear, localized wear or vibrations can also be signs
of internal tire damage.
If you suspect any damage to your tire or wheel from an impact with a
curb, pothole, debris on the road or any other road hazard, or if you feel
or hear any unusual vibration, replace with a properly inflated spare at
once and immediately visit any qualified tire technician.
INSPECTION
When inspecting your tires, including the spare, check the air pressures.
If the pressure check indicates that one of your tires has lost pressure of
two pounds or more, look for signs of penetration, valve leakage or wheel
damage that may account for the air loss.
Always look for bulges, cracks, cuts, penetrations, and abnormal tire
wear, particularly on the edges of the tire tread, which may be caused
by misalignment or underinflation. If any such damage is found, the
tire must be inspected by any Michelin tire retailer at once. Use of a
damaged tire could result in tire destruction.
All tires will wear out faster when subjected to high speeds as well as
hard cornering, rapid starts, sudden stops, frequent driving on roads
which are in poor condition, and off road use. Roads with holes and rocks
or other objects can damage tires and cause misalignment of your vehicle.
When driving on such roads, drive carefully and slowly, and before
driving again at normal or highway speeds, examine your tires for any
damage, such as cuts, bulges, penetrations, unusual wear patterns, etc.
WEAR BARS
MICHELIN® tires contain “Wear-Bars” in the grooves of the tire tread
which show up when only 2/32 nds of an inch (1.6 mm) of tread is
remaining. At this stage, your tires must be replaced. Tires worn beyond
this stage are extremely dangerous.
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DO NOT OVERLOAD - DRIVING ON ANY OVERLOADED TIRE IS
DANGEROUS
The maximum load rating of your tires is molded on the tire sidewall. Do
not exceed this rating. Follow the loading instructions of the manufac-
turer of your vehicle and this will ensure that your tires are not
overloaded. Tires which are loaded beyond their maximum allowable
loads for the particular application will build up excessive heat that may
result in sudden tire destruction.
Do not exceed the gross axle weight rating for any axle on your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
If you anticipate towing a trailer, you should visit any Michelin tire
retailer for advice concerning the correct size tire and pressures. Tire size
and pressures will depend upon the type and size of trailer and hitch
utilized, but in no case must the maximum cold inflation pressure or tire
load rating be exceeded. Check the tire decal and the owner ’s manual
supplied by the manufacturer of your vehicle for further recommenda-
tions on trailer towing.
MICHELIN® PAX® System Tires/Self-Supporting Zero Pressure (ZP)
Tires and Trailer Towing
Operation of Pax or ZP tires at low or zero air pressure with a trailer in
tow, is dangerous and is not recommended. If the low pressure warning
indicator is activated when a trailer is in tow, stop, disconnect the trailer,
and do not continue to tow the trailer until the tire has been repaired and
re-inflated to the proper air pressure. If the tire cannot be repaired, it must
be replaced with a new full size, PAX/ZP tire, and inflated to the proper
air pressure, before the trailer can be safely towed again.
WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BALANCING ARE IMPORTANT FOR
SAFETY AND MAXIMUM MILEAGE FROM YOUR TIRES.
CHECK HOW YOUR TIRES ARE WEARING AT LEAST ONCE EACH
MONTH
If your tires are wearing unevenly, such as the inside shoulder of the tire
wearing faster than the rest of the tread, or if you detect excessive
vibration, your vehicle may be out of alignment or balance. These
conditions not only shorten the life of your tires but adversely affect the
handling characteristics of your vehicle, which could be dangerous. If
you detect irregular wear or vibration, have your alignment and balance
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checked immediately. Tires which have been run underinflated will show
more wear on the shoulders than in the center of the tread.
TIRE MIXING
MICHELIN® tires are radial tires and for best performance it is recom-
mended that the same size and type of tire be used on all four wheel
positions. Before mixing tires of different types in any configuration on
any vehicle, be sure to check the vehicle manufacturer ’s owner‘s manual
for its recommendations.
It is especially important to check the vehicle manufacturer ’s owner ’s
manual when mixing, matching, or replacing tires on 4-wheel drive
vehicles, as this may require special precautions.
MICHELIN DOES NOT RECOMMEND MIXING PAX® SYSTEM TIRES
WITH NON-PAX TIRES / SELF-SUPPORTING ZERO PRESSURE (ZP)
TIRES WITH NON-ZP TIRES OTHER THAN THE TEMPORARY USE
OF THE SPARE IF THE VEHICLE IS SO EQUIPPED.
WINTER DRIVING
Tires which meet the Rubber Manufactures Association (RMA) definition
of snow tires are marked M/S, or M&S. On such tires, this designation is
molded into the sidewall. Tires without this notation are not recom-
mended or winter driving.
While All-Season tires are designed to provide reliable
performance in some winter conditions, the use of four
(4) winter tires is recommended for optimal performance.
Tires designate for use in severe winter conditions are
marked on at leas one sidewall with the letter “M”
TIRE ROTATION AND REPLACEMENT
To obtain maximum tire wear, it may be necessary to rotate your tires.
Refer to your vehicle owner ’s manual for instructions on tire rotation. If
you do not have an owner‘s manual for your vehicle, Michelin recom-
mends rotating your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles (10,000 to 12,000 km).
Monthly inspection for tire wear is recommended. Your tires should be
rotated at the first sign of irregular wear, even if it occurs before 6,000
miles (10,000 km). This is true for all vehicles.
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