Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the
tire’s resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No.109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by
law.
WARNING!
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and a possible tire failure.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
80
LIMITED WARRANTY
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
PASSENGER AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRES
Including
Tires with Run-Flat Technology
ELIGIBILITY
This Limited Warranty covers BRIDGESTONE and FIRESTONE brand
passenger and light truck tires, including RFT and temporary spare tires,
originally installed by the vehicle manufacturer on a new vehicle. You are
covered under the terms of this Limited Warranty if the tire was
produced after July 4, 2004 (DOT serial 2704 or later) and has been used
only on the vehicle on which it was originally installed in non-
commercial service.
WHAT IS WARRANTED AND FOR HOW LONG
Before wearing down to 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) remaining original tread
depth (i.e. worn down to the top of the built-in indicators in the tread
grooves) and within 6 years from the date of purchase (proof of purchase
date required; without proof of purchase date, then within 6 years from
the date of tire manufacture), for any reason other than those excluded in
the section entitled “What This Limited Warranty Does Not Cover,” any
eligible tire that becomes unusable for any reason within the manufac-
turer ’s control will be replaced with an equivalent new tire on the basis
set forth in this Limited Warranty.
WHAT THIS LIMITED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER
This Limited Warranty does not cover the following:
1. Tire damage or irregular wear due to:
A.Road hazards,including, without limitation: Puncture, cut, impact
break, stone drill, bruise, bulge, snag, etc.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
81
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.
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
82
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
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
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
BRIDGESTONE® - FIRESTONE®
85
•Improper operation or maintenance: This includes, but is not limited
to, effects caused by:
A.Improper tire inflation and/or improper load/speed practices:
These practices can cause excessive operational temperatures and
stresses that exceed the tire’s capabilities.
B.Improper or insufficient tire rotation:
C.Improper vehicle alignment
D.Damage due to:
– Rim irregularities or rim damage
– Snow chains
– Vehicle mechanical problems, including brake problems, and
vehicle wheel alignment.
– Extreme temperature exposure
– Negligent and abusive driving such as tire spinning, or racing;
– Improper tire storage
– Automotive accident
– Chemical corrosion or fire
– Use contrary to the vehicle manufacturer ’s tire recommenda-
tions.
– Misuse or misapplication
•Improper Mounting or Demountin
•Alteration:such as, but not limited to, adding a white inlay on
blackwall, tread regrooving, tire truing or siping, or adding sealant
materials to the tire.
•Weather checking/cracking:Not covered after 48 months from the
date of purchase.
•Failure to observe safety and maintenance precautions set forth in
Section 6.
ATTENTION AUTHORIZED DEALERS: CTA RESERVES THE
RIGHT TO THE FINAL INSPECTION DECISION FOR ALL
RETURNED TIRES ON CONDITIONS UNDER SECTION 3.
THIS WARRANTY IS MADE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRAN-
TIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AND CTA EXPRESSLY DIS-
CLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FIT-
NESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SOME U.S. STATES
CONTINENTAL TIRE
89
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,
CONTINENTAL TIRE
92