SPECIAL SERVICE AND REPAIR ISSUES
Run-Flat Certified Retailers
Because of the advanced technology and design of RFT tires and the
required tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), Bridgestone Firestone
Run-Flat Certified Retailers are specially trained to sell and service RFT
tires.
Run-Flat Certified Retailers have the necessary equipment and are
specially trained to properly mount and demount RFT tires and to handle
TPMS devices.Conventional mounting equipment may irreparably
damage RFT tires and an improper repair is unsafe and will void the
Limited Warranty.Accordingly, it is important to go to a Bridgestone
Firestone Run-Flat Certified Retailer for tire maintenance and replace-
ment.
Call toll-free 1-877-BFS-4RFT or, 877-237-4738 or visit
www.bridgestonetire.comto locate the nearest Bridgestone Firestone
Run-Flat Certified Retailer.
Inspection after Run-Flat or Low Pressure Operation
Following run-flat or low tire pressure operation, or in the event of any
other tire damage or unusual condition, it is very important to obtain a
proper and complete tire evaluation as soon as possible.
Rotation
Follow the vehicle manufacturer ’s recommendations, or rotate every
5,000 miles per the recommendations in this manual (see “Radial Tire
Rotation”). In some cases, TPMS devices require reprogramming with
each tire rotation.
RFT Tire Replacement
Do not replace or mix RFT tires with conventional tires, unless on an
emergency/temporary basis. Conventional tires do not have run-flat
capability and the handling characteristics of the vehicle with these tires
may be different. If a conventional tire is used on an emergency/
temporary basis, verify that its size, load capacity, inflation pressure, and
speed rating specifications meet the requirements of the vehicle. Replace
any conventional tire with the proper RFT tire as soon as possible.
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RFT Tire Damage and Repair
No tire, regardless of its design or quality is indestructible. RFT tires can
be ultimately rendered unusable due to a puncture or other road hazard
as well as from improper run-flat or low tire pressure operation. Some
punctures may be repaired under certain restrictions and prescribed
procedures.
When driven flat or with low pressure, factors affecting reparability
include vehicle speed, load, and maneuvering; the amount of inflation
pressure loss; and ambient temperature. In any situation, the extent and
location of direct damage from a puncturing object or other road hazard
are also critical factors.
RFT tires are not repairable in any of the following situations:
•
If the tire was operated with inflation pressure less than 15 psi (100 kPa).
•Abrasion or other damage is present on the exterior tread, sidewall or
bead areas.
•Abrasion, wrinkling, or separation is present on the tire interior.
•Any condition or damage is present that disqualifies repair of a
conventional tire.
Run-Flat Certified Retailers will fully inspect your tire, inside and out, to
determine if the tire can be repaired. Tire damage is not always visible
from the outside and the tire must be removed from the wheel for a
complete inspection. For more information, see the section “Tire Repairs”
in this manual.
NOTE:Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using repaired
tires. Consult your vehicle owner ’s manual or contact the vehicle
manufacturer before operating a repaired tire on your vehicle.
REFERENCE INFORMATION
TIRE SIDEWALL LABELING
A lot can be learned by reading the tire’s sidewall. The following figures
show typical information on the sidewall of passenger (Figure 3) and
light truck tires (Figure 4):
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DOT Symbol and Tire Identification Number:The “DOT” symbol
constitutes a certification that the tire conforms to applicable U.S.
Department of Transportation motor vehicle safety standards (for tires).
Following the “DOT” symbol is the tire identification number, also
known as the DOT serial number or code. For example:
(a) DOT Symbol (d) Tire Manufacturer ’s Code
(b) Manufacture Plant Code (e) Week of Production (01-52)
(c) Tire Size Code (f) Year of Production (last two digits
of year)
* For tires produced from 2000-on. In the example above, the tire was
produced in the 18th week of 2000. For tires produced prior to 2000, there
is one digit in group (f) which identifies the last digit of the year of
production, i.e. “329” would likely signify the 32nd week of 1999, but
could possibly signify the 32nd week of 1989. If in doubt, consult a
qualified tire service professional.
The DOT symbol and tire identification number can be found on at least
one sidewall near the wheel. The other sidewall may have a partial serial
code that excludes (e) and (f) above.
Maximum Load and Inflation:The maximum load and maximum
inflation pressure is marked on each sidewall in metric and English units.
For example:
MAX LOAD 685 kg (1,510 lbs) AT 240 kPa (35 psi) MAX PRESS
NOTE:The load and inflation values marked on the tire sidewall are
maximum permissible values for the tire only. Never assume that these
values are the actual maximum load capacity or recommended tire
pressure values for your vehicle. See “Tire Inflation Pressure,” “Tips for
Safe Tire Inflation,” and “Tips for Safe Loading” in this manual.
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B.Improper use or operation,including, without limitation: Im-
proper inflation pressure, overloading, tire/wheel spinning, use of
an improper wheel, tire chain damage, misuse, misapplication,
negligence, tire alteration, or for racing or competition purposes.
C.Insufficient or improper maintenance,including, without limita-
tion: Failure to rotate tires as recommended in this manual, wheel
misalignment, worn suspension components, improper tire mount-
ing or demounting, tire/wheel assembly imbalance, or other
vehicle conditions, defects, or characteristics.
D.Contamination or degradationby petroleum products or other
chemicals, fire or other externally generated heat, or water or other
material trapped inside the tire during mounting or inflation.
E.Improper repair.Improper repair voids this Limited Warranty
F.For RFT tires only, improper run-flat or low tire pressure opera-
tion,including, without limitation: Exceeding speed, distance, or
other run-flat/lowpressure operation limitations.
2. Rapid tread wear or wear-out. Original equipment tires have no
mileage warranty.
3. Weather/ozone cracking after 4 years from date of tire manufacture.
4. Ride disturbance or vibration after 1/32 inch (0.8mm) of tread wear
use.
5. Tires with sealant, balance, or other filler material that was not
originally applied or inserted by the tire manufacturer.
6. Tires used in commercial service.
7. Tires purchased and normally used outside the United States and
Canada.
8. The cost of applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
9. Failure to follow any of the safety and maintenance recommendations
or warnings contained in this manual.
This Limited Warranty is in addition to and/or may be limited by any
other applicable written warranty you may have received concerning
special tires or situations.
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This Limited Warranty applies only to consumers actually using the tire in
the United States and Canada. For warranty conditions outside the United
States and Canada, see your local Bridgestone Firestone distributor.
Obligations under this policy may not be enlarged or altered by anyone.
In accordance with Federal Law, this Limited Warranty has been desig-
nated as aLimited Warranty.” Nothing in this Limited Warranty is
intended to be a representation that tire failures cannot occur. This
Limited Warranty is given in the United States by Bridgestone Firestone
North American Tire, LLC, 535 Marriott Dr., Nashville, TN 37214 and in
Canada by Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc., 5770 Hurontario St., Suite
400, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5R 3G5.
OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS
In order to keep this Limited Warranty valid, we require you to have your
tires regularly inspected and rotated per the recommendations outlined
in the sections of this manual entitledTire Damage, Inspection and
Service Life” and “Radial Tire Rotation” and to furnish proof of same in
order to receive an adjustment. Such proof should show the date,
mileage, and servicing location. A sales receipt containing this informa-
tion will suffice. In addition, a “Maintenance Record” is included on the
back cover of this manual. It is your obligation to maintain proper tire
inflation pressures as specified by the vehicle manufacturer and to
operate the vehicle within tire/vehicle load capacity and speed limita-
tions. It is also your obligation to maintain proper wheel alignment and
tire/wheel assembly balance. To request an adjustment, you must present
the tire to an authorized Bridgestone Firestone retailer. Complete and
sign the customer section of the Bridgestone Firestone North American
Tire, LLC Limited Warranty adjustment form and pay appropriate
replacement price, taxes, disposal fee, and service charges, if any.
ARBITRATION
You and Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC agree that all
claims, disputes, and controversies between you and it, including any of
its agents, employees, successors, or assigns, arising out of or in connec-
tion with this Limited Warranty, or any other warranties, express or
implied, including a failure of warranty and the validity of this arbitra-
tion clause, but excluding claims for personal injury or property damage,
shall be resolved by binding arbitration between you and it, according to
the formal dispute resolution procedures of the National Arbitration
Forum, under the Code of Procedure then in effect. This arbitration will
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84
be conducted as a document hearing. If you request any procedures
beyond a document hearing, you will be responsible for all fees,
including filing and administrative fees, above and beyond the fees
required for document hearings.
The arbitration between you and Bridgestone Firestone North American
Tire, LLC shall not include any other customers, be combined or
consolidated in any fashion with arbitrations involving other customers,
or proceed in any form of class action in which the claims of numerous
customers are considered together. Any award of the arbitrator(s) may be
entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. The
arbitrators will have no authority to award punitive or other damages not
measured by the prevailing party’s actual damages, except as may be
required by statute. Information may be obtained and claims may be filed
at any office of the National Arbitration Forum or at P.O. Box 50191,
Minneapolis, MN 55405.
VEHICLE MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDED INFLATION
PRESSURE
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85
Owner must present new vehicle registration form or new vehicle
sales invoice indicating the date of purchase. Owner will be required
to sign the CTA Limited Warranty Claim Form or dealer replacement
sales receipt.
Owner is responsible for paying all applicable taxes charged by the
servicing dealer and is also responsible for paying shipping, local
tire-disposal fees and parts or service regardless of mileage or months
of service. This includes payment for tire rotation, alignment, towing,
road service, valve stems and tire repairs.
Owner is responsible for maintaining proper tire air pressure and for
proper maintenance of the tire.
6.SAFETY WARNING:
Ignoring any of the safety and information contained in this
warranty may result in tire failure, causing serious injury or death.
•Tire failure due to underinflation /overloading.Follow vehicle
owner ’s manual or tire placard in vehicle for proper inflation and
loading.
•Explosion of tire/rim assembly due to improper tire mounting.Ti re
mounting / demounting can be dangerous. It should be performed
only by a trained tire specialist using proper tools and procedures.
Prior to tire mounting/demounting, the Rubber Manufacturers
Association (RMA) wall charts and manuals should be read to obtain
the proper procedures. The failure to follow these procedures may
result in faulty positioning of the tire and/or rim, which may cause
the assembly to burst with force sufficient to cause injury or death.
•Tire failure due to damage.Inspect your tires frequently for scrapes,
bulges, separations, cuts, snags and other damage from road haz-
ards. Damage from impact can occur to the inner portions of your
tire without being visible to the outside. If you suspect a tire has been
damaged from striking anything unusual in the road, you must have
the tire removed from the rim and inspected both inside and out by
a trained tire specialist. Air loss or unusual tire wear can also be
warning signs that a tire may have internal damage. If you notice
these conditions, have your tire inspected by a trained individual.
•Tire failure due to excessive tire spinning.Avoid tire spinning. The
centrifugal force generated by a free-spinning tire/rim assembly
may cause a sudden tire explosion resulting in vehicle damage
and/or serious injury or death. Never exceed 35 mph (55km/h) as
indicated on your speedometer when your vehicle is stuck in snow,
CONTINENTAL TIRE
91
mud, or sand and your tire(s) is/ are spinning. Use a gentle
backward and forward rocking motion to free your vehicle for
continued driving. Never stand or permit anyone else to stand near
or behind a tire spinning while attempting to push a vehicle that is
stuck.
SELF SUPPORTING RUNFLAT (SSR) TIRE OWNERS:
CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse of punctured Continen-
tal SSR tires.
Even a trained tire specialist may be unable to recognize internal
structural damage to a Self Supporting Runflat (SSR) tire resulting from
having been driven in an under inflated or zero inflation pressure
condition. Such damage may not be visible on the surface of the inner
liner or sidewall making it impossible to determine the tire suitability for
repair or reuse. CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse of
Continental SSR tires. You may visit
www.continentaltire.comand
select Customer Care FAQ’s to obtain additional SSR information.
TEMPORARY SPARE TIRE OWNERS:
CTA does not recommend any repair to or reuse of punctured Temporary
Spare Tires.
CONTISEAL™ TIRE OWNERS:
A ContiSeal™ tire differs from a
non-ContiSeal™ tire in that it has
a sticky, viscous layer from
shoulder to shoulder along the
inner liner. This layer is an integral part of the ContiSeal™ tires. It is not
designed or intended to act as a permanent puncture repair (See
information below). If an object up to 3/16ths (5 mm) diameter pen-
etrates the tread of the ContiSeal™ tire, this sticky, viscous layer is
designed to surround and adhere to the puncturing object and prevent air
loss from the tire by providing a near instantaneous seal. If the punctur-
ing object becomes dislodged from the tire, the material is designed to
seal most holes made by objects up to 3/16” (5 mm) diameter. While
ContiSeal™ tires significanty reduce the incidence of flats they are not
designed to be driven under inflated or in a flat condition. In all other
aspects, ContiSeal™ tires perform exactly like non-ContiSeal™ tires. As
with any tire, regularly inspect ContiSeal™ tires for evidence of cuts,
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